Source: SKY_Sports
Fiorentina v Liverpool preview
Liverpool travel to Fiorentina on Tuesday night in their second game in Group E of the UEFA Champions League, live on Sky Sports 2 and HD1.
The Reds go into the game in good form having won their last six games in all competitions and victory at the Artemio Franchi would leave them well-placed to reach the next phase.
Fiorentina themselves are in fine fettle having lost just two of their opening nine games and they currently sit fourth in Serie A.
Liverpool will be without key midfielder Javier Mascherano for the game after he picked up a hamstring problem in training.
It means Reds skipper Steven Gerrard will continue in central midfield alongside Lucas Levia with Dirk Kuyt supporting Fernando Torres in attack.
Yossi Benayoun is expected to play after shaking off a leg injury picked up the 6-1 win over Hull City last weekend.
Reds boss Rafa Benitez is not expected to make many changes from the win over Hull with Albert Riera set to keep his place in midfield.
Italian midfielder Alberto Aquilani misses out on a return to his homeland as he continues his recovery from an ankle problem and the game has come too soon for Daniel Agger, who is set to feature for the reserves on Tuesday night, after a back problem.
Fiorentina coach Cesare Prandelli, who played against Liverpool for Juventus in the 1985 European Cup final, is missing top scorer Alberto Gilardino through suspension.
Gilardino begins a two-match ban following his sending off against Lyon in the opening group game earlier this month.
Stevan Jovetic is set to replace Gilardino and will partner former Chelsea man Adrian Mutu up front.
Midfielder Cristiano Zanetti is available for the Viola after serving a one-match ban.
Mario Santana is ruled out for the home side with a thigh problem, while Gianluca Comotto faces a late fitness test with a thigh injury.
