Source: SKY_Sports
Reds dealt Alonso hammer blow
Liverpool have been dealt a hammer blow with the news that Xabi Alonso is out of their clash with West Ham.
The 27-year-old midfielder suffered severe bruising in the 3-0 defeat of struggling Newcastle on Sunday after a vicious tackle from Joey Barton, which saw the Magpies midfielder red-carded for the wild lunge.
The Reds' pursuit of the Premier League crown has coincided with the classy form of Alonso this season and even the likes of PFA Player of the Year Ryan Giggs has heaped praise on the Spanish international.
Kop boss Rafael Benitez was confident the former Real Sociedad star would recover in time for the pivotal trip to London but the Spanish tactician has now revealed his midfield maestro is unavailable for Saturday's evening tie.
"Xabi is not fit and cannot play," Benitez said. "We think maybe in the next week he will be okay. We had an idea that he could be fit for this game but in the end it was impossible.
Benitez did have better news elsewhere, with Fernando Torres (hamstring) and Javier Mascherano (ankle) both fit to travel to Upton Park.
The Reds boss added: "Javier was training and is in the squad, and so is Fernando."
