Champions League – Liverpool out to avoid collapse

Eurosport

Liverpool hold a 2-0 lead as they take on Internazionale hoping to complete a full complement of four English clubs in the Champions League quarter-finals.

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Javier Mascherano has been included in Liverpool’s squad for the Champions League tie against Internazionale in Milan, but Xabi Alonso misses out because his girlfriend is due to give birth.

Argentine midfielder Mascherano has recovered from the groin injury which saw him miss Saturday’s Premier League clash with Newcastle, and is likely to start for Rafael Benitez’s team as they seek to protect a 2-0 first-leg lead in the last-16 tie.

In addition to long-term casualties Daniel Agger (foot) and Andriy Voronin (ankle), Liverpool will be without defender Steve Finnan (hamstring) and midfielder Xabi Alonso, as they seek to reach the quarter-final stage of the competition for the third year in succession.

Tuesday’s game will mark Jamie Carragher‘s 100th European appearance for Liverpool.

Inter celebrated their centenary on Saturday with a comfortable 2-0 defeat of Reggina, taking them nine points clear at the top of Serie A, and will be buoyed by the return to goalscoring form of Swedish international Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Roberto Mancini’s injury-ravaged team will be without defenders Maxwell, Ivan Cordoba and Walter Samuel as they seek to overturn Liverpool’s advantage.

Following his red card in the first leg, Italian international Marco Materazzi is suspended. Cristian Chivu is expected to start at left-back after coming unscathed through a Mondayn night training session.

Follow full live coverage of the game on Tuesday night right here at eurosport.yahoo.com.