Benitez is facing injuries dilemma.

Byline: IAN DOYLE

RAFAEL BENITEZ faces a selection headache going into a pivotal week of team's season - as Sotirios Kyrgiakos compounded Liverpool's injury woes.

Benitez must make a decision over a number of players ahead of tomorrow's Premier League visit to Sunderland.

Neither Steven Gerrard nor Fernando Torres trained yesterday as they underwent treatment for respective groin problems sustained while on international duty.

Gerrard limped out of training for England on Tuesday and was sent back to Melwood to continue his rehabilitation, with a subsequent scan revealing the skipper had likely suffered a minor tear to his adductor muscle.

Torres was an unused substitute for Spain in their win against Bosnia on Wednesday after complaining of feeling pain in his groin during training whenever striking a ball.

Both players have not been ruled out, with Liverpool desperate for a winning start to a week that also sees them host Lyon in the Champions League before entertaining title rivals Manchester United.

A Liverpool statement said yesterday: "Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres will not train with the rest of the squad today, but will continue to receive treatment and will be assessed again tomorrow."

There are further issues for Benitez to consider, with Emiliano Insua, Javier Mascherano and Lucas Leiva

From Back Page only returning to Merseyside later today from international duty in the final round of South American World Cup qualifiers.

Dirk Kuyt picked up a minor ankle knock while playing for Holland in Australia last Saturday while Andriy Voronin was unfit to play for Ukraine against Andorra in midweek.

Definitely out, though, is Kyrgiakos, who suffered a serious knee injury during Greece's 2-1 win over Luxembourg on Wednesday .

Initial reports claimed the centre-back had ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament and will spend at least four months on the sidelines.

Liverpool, though, are hopeful the 30-year-old will be back in action sooner, and were assessing his injury last night.

But Benitez is resigned to being without Kyrgiakos, who was only brought to Anfield seven weeks ago as centre-back cover to replace Sami Hyypia, for a significant period.

There was some positive news, however, with Alberto Aquilani yesterday training fully for the first time alongside his new team-mates following his pounds 20m summer arrival from Roma.

Aquilaini has been recovering from an ankle operation, and although he has no chance of appearing in next week's trio of games, the Italian could make his debut in the Carling Cup visit to Arsenal on October 28.

Meanwhile, confusion continues in the quest of Liverpool co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks to attract new investment. Gillett has now dismissed claims Prince Faisal bin Fahd bin Abdullah is close to buying a significant stake at Anfield.

The American has been in Saudi Arabia this week, a visit he has stated is only to discuss the agreement with Prince Faisal's F6 investment company to set up a number of academies in the Middle East.

Rafa has another injury to deal with

CAPTION(S):

Skipper Steven Gerrard