Alonso could start for Liverpool

Liverpool set off for Champions League action in Istanbul without star striker Fernando Torres, who is still bothered by a thigh problem, but with Xabi Alonso, who could start after recovering from a metatarsal problem.

They prepared for their game against Turks Besiktas in the wake of a disagreement between manager Rafael Benitez and captain Steven Gerrard, who was substituted during the Merseyside derby at Everton.

Liverpool ran out 2-1 winners at Goodison Park and stand fourth in the Premier League but in the Champions League group A they have only collected one point from their first two games.

A draw in Porto was followed up by an embarrassing 1-0 home defeat to Marseille, and anything less than victory in Turkey will leave them with a great deal to do.

Gerrard was clearly upset to be taken off at Goodison but Benitez said that the situation was now resolved.

"When you are a manager you need to make decisions, not just think about them," Benitez said.

"You must think how you can win the game. Every player is the same for me when you are trying to win a game.

"We have talked because every player would be disappointed, especially Gerrard, because it was a derby. He wanted to score the winning goal, but he is okay.

"After some time he'll understand that it was an idea and I was thinking about the best for the team."

"You know when you change a player he must show that he wants to play, but I think he was okay at the end."

Gerrard was replaced by Brazilian youngster Lucas, whose goalbound shot was handled on the line by Phil Neville, enabling Dirk Kuyt to score the winner from the spot.

AC Milan, who beat Liverpool in last year's final, also have problems going into their home meeting with Shakhtar Donetsk, from Ukraine.

Milan's record at the San Siro so far this campaign has been disappointing, with one defeat and three draws in Serie A.

They did however win their home Champions League game against Benfica.

Milan trail Ukraine champions Donetsk by three points in group D and the Italians' vice-president Adriano Galliani agreed that they had problems after the 1-0 home defeat to Empoli at the weekend, which leaves them 11th in the table, and 10 points behind city rivals Inter.

"To say 'chaos' (Italian newspaper headline) is incorrect," said Galliani. "I think crisis is more accurate.

"It's a very difficult time but we are not going to dramatize it. We will get back on track as we always do.

"The players are not to blame. They are doing their best just the same as when they are winning but we will need to do what is necessary so this situation changes."

Milan will be without suspended goalkeeper Dida but captain Paolo Maldini will return.

Brazil's Dida, who had his two-match ban for feigning injury against Celtic reduced to one on Monday, after Milan's appeal was partially upheld, will be replaced by Zeljko Kalac.

Maldini, who played in a record-equaling eighth European Cup final in May, made his first start of the season in Sunday's 1-0 home defeat by Empoli following knee surgery.

In Madrid, Real will be hoping to bounce back from their first defeat of the season, at Espanyol on Saturday, with a victory over Olympiakos in group C.

Real Madrid top Spain's Primera Liga and and trail Olympiakos at the top of their Champions League group only on goal difference, but have still attracted criticism.

Veteran right-back Michel Salgado believes this is unjust and said: "There's been a lot of talk that Madrid have not been very convincing this season and everybody seems to have been worried about the change of coach in the summer and that the team is playing one way rather than another.

"But I don't think we are doing that badly."

Werder Bremen, without a point, and Lazio, who have two, meet in Germany knowing that defeat would virtually end their hopes

In group B Valencia will be looking to bounce back from their home loss to Chelsea when they visit Norwegians Rosenborg, while the Londoners will be looking to stretch their lead at the top as they host Germans Schalke. E-mail to a friend