Alonso absent for San Siro decider
Monday, March 10, 2008
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Liverpool FC will be without Xabi Alonso for the second-leg tie against FC Internazionale Milano because of the birth of the Spain midfielder's first child.
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Liverpool FC will be without Xabi Alonso for the second leg of their UEFA Champions League first knockout round tie against FC Internazionale Milano on Tuesday because of the imminent birth of the midfielder's first child.
Baby due
The 26-year-old, who has not appeared for Liverpool in the competition since last season's final against AC Milan due to injury, has opted to be at girlfriend Nagore Aranburu's side rather than in Milan where his team-mates will attempt to reach the quarter-finals. The Merseyside club will be favourites to progress at San Siro following their 2-0 victory at Anfield three weeks ago. However, the Spanish international will be missed having played every minute of the Reds' back-to-back wins against Bolton Wanderers FC, West Ham United FC and Newcastle United FC over the last week.
Mascherano selection
Liverpool arrived in Milan on Monday boosted by the presence of another midfielder, Javier Mascherano, in the squad after the Argentinian international sat out Saturday's 3-0 Premier League success against Newcastle with a dead leg. Right-back Steve Finnan has not travelled, however, as he continues to recover from a hamstring problem.
