Liverpool head for a decisive Champions League clash at Olympique Lyon on Wednesday with 10 players injured or doubtful for the game and coach Rafa Benitez facing the biggest crisis in his five-year Anfield reign. Benitez hopes to have close-season signing Alberto Aquilani available but his midfield will be without captain Steven Gerrard (groin) and Albert Riera (hamstring) while defenders Martin Kelly (ankle) and Martin Skrtel (muscle) are also out.

Liverpool have lost six of their last seven matches in all competitions, including the 2-1 home defeat by Lyon two weeks ago, and their hopes of reaching the knockout stage will be hanging by a thread if they lose at Stade Gerland. Lyon top Group E with nine points from three matches and will qualify for the last 16 with a win. Fiorentina, who host Debrecen, are second with six points, followed by Liverpool (3), and the Hungarians (0).

Liverpool, who have won the European Cup five times and have reached at least the quarter-finals for the last three seasons, have shown nothing like that kind of form this term, having lost eight of their 16 games in all competitions. Fernando Torres, replaced after 63 minutes despite scoring in Saturday’s 3-1 Premier League defeat at Fulham is likely to play in pain with an adductor muscle injury suffered on international duty last month.

“We are trying to manage (him) because he was close to having an operation. We have to take Fernando to Lyon because we don’t have too many options,” said Benitez.

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