Alonso to return for Liverpool

Xabi Alonso is set to return from a ten match injury absence in Wednesday’s Carling Cup quarter-final tie at Chelsea. The Liverpool midfielder has been filled in by Javier Mascherano in recent weeks and will play in the big Carling Cup match on Wednesday.

Alonso has been sidelined since the 1-1 Premier League draw at home to Arsenal in October with a metatarsal injury.

Manager Rafael Benitez told the Reds’ website: “Xabi is training normally and should be available for the match at Chelsea.

“We are going into a busy period with lots of games so it is important to have our best players available.”