Middlesbrough v Liverpool Team news

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres will miss the trip to Middlesbrough with the ankle injury he sustained in Wednesday's win over Real Madrid in the Champions League. The Reds hope the striker will have recovered to play on Tuesday in the home league game against Sunderland. Skipper Steven Gerrard, who played only the final few minutes in the Bernabeu following a hamstring injury, is in the squad for the Riverside clash but again a late decision will be made as to whether he can start.

Liverpool's only other injury is defender Daniel Agger, who is still out with a back problem. Boss Rafael Benitez is expected to make changes to the side which won in Madrid as the Reds face two key games in four days. Boro manager Gareth Southgate has Marlon King available. King, on loan from Wigan until the end of the season, missed Boro's clash with the Latics last weekend due to the terms of his contract and was cup-tied for clashes with West Ham that sandwiched Saturday's goalless draw.
Southgate is likely to give fit-again Jeremie Aliadiere his first league start of 2009 following the French forward's fine display in Wednesday's 2-0 FA Cup fifth round win over the Hammers. Chris Riggott (knee) and Didier Digard (thigh) have long-term injuries and will not feature.

Teams:

Middlesbrough (from): Jones, Hoyte, Pogatetz, Wheater, Huth, Arca, O'Neil, Bates, Downing, Aliadiere, Tuncay, Turnbull, McMahon, Walker, Taylor, Emnes, Johnson A, King, Alves.

Liverpool (from): Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Hyypia, Skrtel, Dossena, Aurelio, Babel, Benayoun, Mascherano, Alonso, Gerrard, Riera, Kuyt, Ngog, El Zhar, Cavalieri, Lucas, Spearing.

LFC