With Fernando’s hat-trick still very much in the mind of football followers, Liverpool turn their attentions to the Champions League. The Reds travel to Italy to face Fiorentina at the Florence Artemio Franchi Stadium, kick-off at 19:45 hours (BST). The Merseysiders go into Tuesday’s meeting level with Olympique Lyon at the top of Group E. Both Liverpool and Lyon won their opening group fixtures by the same result, the Reds beating Hungarian side Debrecen 1-0 at Anfield, and the French outfit beating Fiorentina 1-0 at home.

Fernando Torres arrives for the match in scintillating form. The Spaniard has hit eight goals in seven league games, with five coming in his last two matches. The forward has fond memories of his travels to Italy. Torres scored his first ever goal for the national team on Italian soil. The striker also grabbed the game’s only goal when Liverpool beat Inter Milan 1-0 at the San Siro during the 2007/08 season.

The Liverpool boss will be without the injured Javier Mascherano for the Champions League tie. For Tuesday’s clash against their Group E opponents- which will be the first time the two sides meet in European competition- Rafa Benitez has selected an 18-man strong squad formed by: Reina, Cavalieri, Johnson, Skrtel, Carragher, Kyrgiakos, Aurelio, Insua, Lucas, Spearing, Plessis, Kuyt, Gerrard, Voronin, Torres, Babel, Riera and Benayoun.

Fiorentina, who currently lie fourth in the Calcio after their 1-0 win away to Livorno, will be missing their key attacking player, Alberto Gilardino. The striker was given a two game ban after being sent-off against Lyon.

A full house awaits the five-time European Cup champions in the beautiful city of Florence, as Liverpool look to stretch their impressive winning run to seven wins out of seven.

Photo: J.A. Sirvent