Rafael Benitez opted to risk Fernando Torres in the must win game against Lyon tonight. The Spanish striker is struggling with a groin injury but with Liverpool needing a win to retain any realistic hope of making it out of their Champions League group the manager has thrown caution to the wind.

In defence, he looks to have played it a little safer, choosing to deploy Jamie Carragher at right-back instead of the inexperienced Stephen Darby.

Daniel Agger will partner Sotiris Kyrgiakos in central defence, with Emiliano Insua at left-back.

Lucas Leiva and Javier Mascherano form the midfield pairing with Dirk Kuyt, Yossi Benayoun and Andriy Voronin in front of them and in support of Torres.

Liverpool's €20million summer signing Alberto Aquilani is among the substitutes.

Lyon have called on Bafetimbi Gomis to join Lisandro Lopez in attack after the striker started the 2-1 win at Anfield on the bench a fortnight ago.

A seventh defeat in eight games would be something Liverpool have not experienced since Bill Shankly’s appointment as manager, 50 years ago on December 1st.

Lyon, with three wins already, need one point to qualify for the last 16 while a Champions League exit would cost Liverpool upwards of €16.8 million and leave their season facing ruin.

At the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal youngster Kieran Gibbs was given his chance to impress at left-back in the clash 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.

France midfielder Samir Nasri 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.

The hosts can go through to the next round of the competition if they win and other results in Group H went their way.

Olympique Lyon:Lloris, Reveillere, Cris, Toulalan, Cissokho, Pjanic, Makoun, Kallstrom; Gomis, Lopez, Bastos.

Liverpool- Reina, Carragher, Agger, Kyrgiakos, Insua; Kuyt, Lucas, Mascherano, Benayoun, Voronin, Torres.

Arsenal: Almunia, Eboue, Gallas, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Song Billong, Diaby, Fabregas, Nasri, van Persie, Arshavin.

AZ: Romero, Jaliens, Moisander, Moreno, Poulsen, Dembele, Mendes Da Silva, Schaars, Martens, Holman, Pelle.