Liverpool's Champions League hopes were boosted on Monday when Javier Mascherano was passed fit for the last-16 second-leg tie at Inter Milan.Mascherano limped out of last week's 4-0 Premier League win over West Ham with a groin injury and missed Saturday's 3-0 success against Newcastle.

Rafael Benitez was always confident his newly signed £18.6million midfielder would be fit to face Inter on Tuesday night - and he has been proved correct.

But Liverpool - already 2-0 ahead from the first leg and anxious to join Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal in the last eight - are missing full-back Steve Finnan, who has a hamstring problem.

Vice-captain Jamie Carragher will play his 100th European game - a Liverpool record - in the San Siro.

Reds (from): Reina, Arbeloa, Aurelio, Hyypia, Skrtel, Carragher, Riise, Pennant, Gerrard, Mascherano, Alonso, Babel, Benayoun, Lucas, Crouch, Kuyt, Torres, Itandje.

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