Trio give Benitez headache before Blues test

Rafael Benitez has worries over three key men for the clash with Chelsea after his side threw away a chance to take a giant step towards the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso and Robbie Keane failed to finish last night's Group D draw and will be assessed ahead of Sunday's match at Stamford Bridge.

Striker Keane and midfielder Alonso are struggling with knocks while captain Gerrard is suffering from fatigue.

"The three players have had some problems," said Benitez, whose side are locked at the top of the Premier League with Chelsea on 20 points.

"It was a little bit of a muscle problem for Robbie. Gerrard was really tired and Alonso has a knock on his knee."

Keane was the first to come off but by then the former Tottenham striker had already made his mark.

Latching onto Gerrard's measured pass, Keane just stayed onside to slide the ball under goalkeeper Leo Franco.

That goal came in the 14th minute and Liverpool wasted a string of other chances as they dominated the first half.

The second period, however, belonged to Atletico and they were rewarded seven minutes from time. Former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan capitalised on an error by Jamie Carragher to feed the ball through for Simao and the Portugal international clinically drove the ball home.

Benitez admitted: "I think we had control of the game in the first half and part of the second half and I'm disappointed because we had chances to finish the game off. We then made a mistake and paid for it.

"If you said to me before the game that we would have seven points in the group then it might have been good, but after leading until the 83rd minute and the chances that we had, in my opinion we have lost another two points."

Atletico coach Javier Aguirre had been under huge pressure at the start of the match due to three successive League defeats against Sevilla, Barcelona and Real Madrid.

He said: "It was important not to lose at home following the recent results. During the break we spoke about the conviction we needed and we how couldn't lose at home. I think these factors were key and the team showed more spirit after the break."