Football
Reuters 15y

Soccer-Benayoun doubt for Real tie with hamstring tear

By Mike Collett

LONDON, March 9 - Liverpool's Israeli midfielder
Yossi Benayoun is a serious doubt for their Champions League tie
with Real Madrid on Tuesday after tearing a hamstring in
training at the weekend.

Benayoun scored the only goal when Liverpool beat Real 1-0
in Madrid in the first leg of the last 16 tie last month, but
faces an anxious wait to see if he can play any part at Anfield
after colliding with a team mate in training.

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez told the club's official
website (www.liverpoolfc.tv) on Monday that the player needed a
scan to see how serious the injury was.

"Yossi has a hamstring problem and we will know more after
the scan," said Benitez, who also has injury doubts about
Fernando Torres, Alvaro Arbeloa and Daniel Agger.

Benitez is hopeful that striker Torres can play some part in
the match.

"Hopefully he can train today and then we will see. It
depends on his reaction after the session and again tomorrow. I
think he can be part of the squad and maybe he can play some
minutes, but I can't guarantee how much."

Torres has missed Liverpool's last two league matches after
twisting an ankle against Real in the first leg and took part in
a light training session on Sunday.

His fellow Spaniard Arbeloa, who has also missed the last
two games with a hamstring injury, also trained on Sunday and is
in contention for a place in the starting line-up.

One player who definitely misses out is Albert Riera, who is
suspended.

(editing by Justin Palmer)

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