Fernando Torres starts for Liverpool in their must-win Champions League match against Lyons in France tonight. Torres has been battling a hernia for several weeks but such is the importance of the fixture that Rafael Benitez, the manager, has no real option but to risk his prize asset, particularly with Steven Gerrard, the captain, out with a groin injury.

The belief is that the Spain striker will not last the 90 minutes, but give his all in much the same manner as he did in the 2-0 Barclays Premier League victory over Manchester United, when he beat Rio Ferdinand before scoring the decisive opening goal.

Jamie Carragher will start at right back, with Sotirios Kyrgiakos and Daniel Agger playing in central defence, while Andriy Voronin, the Ukraine international, has been handed a rare start in attack.

Lyon v Liverpool

Lyon: Lloris, Reveillere, Cris, Toulalan, Cissokho, Pjanic, Makoun, Kallstrom, Gomis, Lopez, Michel Bastos. Substitutes: Vercoutre, Ederson, Govou, Delgado, Tafer, Gassama, Gonalons.

Liverpool: Reina, Carragher, Agger, Kyrgiakos, Insua, Lucas, Mascherano, Kuyt, Voronin, Benayoun, Torres. Substitutes: Cavalieri, Aquilani, Babel, Ngog, Spearing, Darby, Ayala.

Referee: Frank De Bleeckere (Belgium)

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Arsenal youngster Kieran Gibbs was given his chance to impress at left back against AZ Alkmaar following Gael Clichy’s back injury.

Gibbs, who has been tipped as an outsider to make England’s World Cup squad, was one of three changes from the team that defeated Tottenham at the weekend, with Bacary Sagna on the bench and Nicklas Bendtner injured.

Samir Nasri, the France midfielder, made his second start of the season following a fractured leg and Gunners boss Arsene Wenger recalled Emmanuel Eboue for the clash at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal v AZ

Arsenal: Almunia, Eboue, Gallas, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Song Billong, Diaby, Fabregas, Nasri, van Persie, Arshavin. Substitutes: Mannone, Sagna, Senderos, Rosicky, Eduardo, Ramsey, Silvestre.

AZ: Romero, Jaliens, Moisander, Moreno, Poulsen, Dembele, Mendes Da Silva, Schaars, Martens, Holman, Pelle. Substitutes: Didulica, Pocognoli, Lens, Ari, Wernbloom, Van der Velden, Swerts.

Referee: Alain Hamer (Luxembourg).

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