Liverpool (v Inter Milan) team news

Liverpool's Champions League hopes were boosted when Javier Mascherano was included in the party to travel for Tuesday’s last-16 second-leg clash with Inter Milan.

Mascherano limped out of last week's 4-0 Barclays Premier League win over West Ham with a groin injury and missed Saturday's 3-0 success against Newcastle United.

Boss Rafael Benitez was always confident the midfielder would be fit to face Inter match - and he was 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 - were missing full-back Steve Finnan, who has a hamstring problem.

Provisional Liverpool squad: Reina, Arbeloa, Aurelio, Hyypia, Skrtel, Carragher, Riise, Pennant, Gerrard, Mascherano, Alonso, Babel, Benayoun, Lucas, Crouch, Kuyt, Torres, Itandje.