Aurelio and Johnson confirmed as out of Lyon clash

Fabio Aurelio and Glen Johnson have failed to recover from calf injuries and will miss Wednesday’s Champions League encounter with Lyon, it was confirmed today.

The full-backs were rated as doubtful after being forced to miss Saturday’s 3-1 defeat to Fulham, but now add to Rafa Benitez’s growing injury list.

Johnson’s injury coupled with Philipp Degen’s omission from the Reds’ Champions League squad means Rafa Benitez must choose between playing youngster Stephen Darby for his full debut or moving Jamie Carragher to right back.

Also confirmed as out of tomorrow’s clash are Steven Gerrard (groin), Albert Riera (hamstring), Martin Skrtel (muscle) and Martin Kelly (ankle).

David Ngog is expected to return to the side after recovering from an ankle injury, but there are still question marks over the availability of Daniel Agger (back). Alberto Aquilani trained with the squad on Monday before flying to France today.

Fernando Torres is expected to take part in the match, but could face surgery to solve his injury problems. However, it is understood that this surgery reported in this morning’s papers may not be immediate.

Lyon vs Liverpool gets underway from the Stade Gerland at 7.45pm tomorrow evening.

Reds squad: Reina, Cavalieri, Carragher, Ayala, Darby, Insua, Agger, Kyrgiakos, Kuyt, Lucas, Benayoun, Aquilani, Babel, Mascherano, Spearing, Plessis, Ngog, Voronin, Torres.