Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez will view the tie as a welcome break from the depressing realisation that his side's chances of winning the English title are vanishing rapidly in a cloud of dust kicked up by a rampant Manchester United.

He will be crossing his fingers that midfield general Steven Gerrard, rated as 50-50 on Sunday, will have recovered from a hamstring injury in time to face a side who warmed up with a 6-1 thrashing of Real Betis on Saturday.

"We will see after training tomorrow and then we'll decide with him and the doctor," Benitez said. "He's close. The decision is not easy but he's improving."

Image: Real Madrid captain Raul celebrates a goal.

Text and Photograph: Reuters