LIVERPOOL’S title ambitions have been rocked by the news influential midfielder Xabi Alonso is a doubt for Saturday’s match at West Ham United.

The 28-year-old Spaniard was stretchered off in Sunday’s 3-0 win over Newcastle United following a challenge by Joey Barton – a foul which earned the midfielder a red card.

However Liverpool’s disappointment over Alonso will be tempered by the news fellow midfielder Javier Mascherano and star striker Fernando Torres could return for the Upton Park fixture.

Argentina skipper Mascherano twisted his ankle in the routine victory over relegation-threatened United, while Torres missed the game with a hamstring problem with manager Rafa Benitez hoping he will be allowed sufficient rest over the summer.

Benitez said: “Xabi is the main doubt for the weekend.

“He has been working and hopefully he will be better in a few days. He is improving but we have to wait.

“We’ll have to check him for the weekend because it is more serious than Mascherano’s injury.

“He is training with the physios and maybe tomorrow he will start training with the rest of the team.

“I think he will make the weekend.