CAVALRY CHARGE AT KOP

Liverpool face Lyon in crunch tie

17/10/2009

LIVERPOOL'S attacking cavalry will be back in time to dig their way of a Champions League hole this week.

Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres should recover from groin strains in time to face Lyon in Anfield's must-win clash.

Anfield boss Rafa Benitez is banking on his side's famous powers of recovery in Europe following defeat to Fiorentina on their last Euro outing.

But he knows the French side have a top European pedigree.

He said: "I think Gerrard and Torres will be available. And if they are available against Lyon, I don't see a problem with the United game next week.

"Lyon are a good team with experience in the Champions League.

"They have not really progressed from the knockout stage but they have experience in the groups.

"They have good players with quality and can play on the counter-attack.

"Even though they lost Karim Benzema in the summer, Bafétimbi Gomis and Lisandro are doing very well."

With Liverpool facing Manchester United in a match many feel could already determine their title chances, it promises to be a defining week for the Merseysiders.

But Benitez is trying not to look too far ahead.

"We have to think of one game at a time," he said.

"In the last five years we have been in Europe and we have had difficult moments and difficult games but we have showed character at the right times to get through.

"Playing against Liverpool is not easy for anyone."

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