Rafael Benitez ready to risk Steven Gerrard in Champions League clash
RAFAEL BENITEZ is ready to risk Steven Gerrard in his attempts to secure qualification for the Champions League group stages.
The Liverpool manager has been hampered in his preparations for tomorrow's third qualifying round tie at Standard Liege and faces a crippling midfield shortage.
Gerrard is struggling to shake off a thigh strain while Benitez is still being foiled in his attempts to sign Gareth Barry after the club admitted they wouldn't meet Aston Villa's asking price.
And the absence of Javier Mascherano and Lucas will continue into next week as they have both helped Argentina and Brazil, respectively, to reach the quarter-finals of the Olympics football tournament in Beijing.
That means the only fully fit central midfielders available are Xabi Alonso and Damien Plessis - who has looked impressive in pre-season but only has two first team appearances to his name and none in Europe.
With a tricky away leg looming against the Belgian champions, Benitez is giving his captain every chance to prove his fitness and he will fly out with the squad this morning.
"I was talking with him this morning and he will go with us to Belgium," said Benitez.
"He is progressing really well but we will check after training. I will speak with the doctor and with Steven and then decide."
Being backed into that position will only increase Benitez's frustration as he faces up to kicking off the Premier League season at Sunderland on Saturday without Barry in the squad.
He wants to concentrate on the Liege tie in the next two days but after tomorrow's game he is set to seek further talks with American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks regarding the direction of his transfer business in the remainder of the window.
But another nail in the coffin of the Barry deal could be struck by Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill on Thursday if he plays his skipper in the UEFA Cup
Villa to take on Icelandic side FH Hafnarfjordur in the second qualifying round and an appearance by Barry would leave him cup-tied for the Champions League group stages.
O'Neill said: "He's our player and though things could change, if Gareth is still our player on Wednesday morning, he's as good a chance of climbing on the bus as anybody."
The uncertainty surrounding Barry's status has disrupted Villa's preparations and with O'Neill keen to see a conclusion to the saga, dropping his £18million valuation remains an outside possibility.
It is the only way Liverpool will be able to now complete the signing of Barry, who still remains set on a move to Anfield.
Meanwhile, Martin Skrtel, Fabio Aurelio and Philip Degen won't be joining Gerrard on the flight to Belgium as injuries picked up in pre-season rule them out of the Standard Liege tie.
"Martin and Fabio are training with us but they will stay here," added Benitez.
"They are not ready for this game but hopefully both will be available for the weekend.
"Philip isn't training with us yet and is a little behind the other two."
Another defender, Miki Roque, has gone on loan to Spanish side Futbol Club Cartagena for the rest of the season.
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