Liverpool's Champions League hopes were boosted when Javier Mascherano was included in the party to travel for Tuesday's last-16 second-leg clash with Inter Milan.

Mascherano limped out of last week's 4-0 Premier League win over West Ham with a groin injury and missed Saturday's 3-0 success against Newcastle.

But Rafael Benitez was always confident his £18.6million midfielder would be fit to face Inter.

But Liverpool - already 2-0 ahead from the first leg and anxious to join Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal in the last eight - were missing full-back Steve Finnan, who has a hamstring problem.

Midfielder Xabi Alonso will also miss the match because his girlfriend is having a baby, coach Rafael Benitez said on Monday.

Vice-captain Jamie Carragher will play his 100th European game - a Liverpool record - in the San Siro