RAFAEL BENITEZ is considering turning to Alberto Aquilani in a bid to revive Liverpool’s Champions League campaign.

The manager will again be without captain Steven Gerrard, still suffering with a troublesome groin, and is hoping the Italian can boost his attacking options in a game Liverpool need to win.

Aquilani missed Saturday’s 3-1 defeat to Fulham with a virus, just days after he made his long-awaited debut for the club in the Carling Cup loss to Arsenal last Wednesday.

Only a set of unlikely results in the remaining group games can save Benitez’s side if they don’t claim victory in France tomorrow, leaving the Spaniard keen to have as strong a squad as possible available.

Fernando Torres will travel to France with a party that also includes others who missed the trip to Craven Cottage through injury – Daniel Agger (back), Glen Johnson (calf), Fabio Aurelio (calf) and David Ngog (ankle).

A late decision will be made eon their availability but Albert Riera (hamstring), Martin Kelly (ankle) and Martin Skrtel (muscle) will join Gerrard on the absentee list.

A decision on whether the Anfield skipper needs an operation has been delayed but he is clearly being missed in the current run of six defeats in seven games, which is why Benitez hopes Aquilani can make a full recovery.

“Aquilani trained today but was a little bit weak,” said Benitez. “Hopefully in two days’ time he will be better.

“Gerrard won’t travel to Lyon. He has no chance. He is improving but we have to wait. He has had an injection but we have to wait two or three days and see how he reacts.

“Skrtel has no chance. He has a small muscle problem. It’s not too big but he is feeling something.”

Benitez added: “Agger is improving – he will travel and we will then decide. He felt something in his back but it’s much better now. We have to wait and see how he reacts.

“Fabio is improving but he still has a small problem in his calf, so we will have to wait.

“Ngog is much better, so he could be available.

“Johnson is training and working with the physios but he is a doubt at this moment. He will travel to Lyon and we will see.”

Benitez, meanwhile, has again jumped to the defence of his decision to substitute Torres at Fulham with the score at 1-1.

He had already bagged his 10th Premier League goal in the game but came off after 63 minutes as his manager was unwilling to run the risk of him aggravating the recent adductor injury he is still recovering from.

“I was surprised with the critics after the game because Fernando has had problems in the last month after the international games,” said Benitez.

“We are trying to manage because he was close to having an operation. Still this morning, two days after the game, he is feeling something.

“He is not comfortable. He has not got the power he had before, so we have to manage and try to protect him.

“He cannot play well if you keep pushing him. Maybe if you push him he will be injured for a long time.