The European champions entertain CSKA Sofia at Anfield on Tuesday in the second leg of their third round Champions League qualifier defending a 3-1 lead but will without leading scorer Steven Gerrard.

The club captain picked up a calf muscle injury against Sunderland on Saturday.

Gerrard has poached the limelight away from the team's forwards with six goals from seven games which is worrying for Benitez who has a pool of six strikers at his disposal.

Czech forward Milan Baros has played little part in Liverpool's new campaign and has been linked with a move to either Aston Villa or French champions Lyon.

New signing Peter Crouch picked up a hamstring injury in Liverpool's 2-0 win over Kaunas in the last round remains sidelined; Neil Mellor is also out injured.

Fernando Morientes has scored only twice and Frenchman Florent Sinama Pongolle has hardly been used.

Djibril Cisse is the club's most successful forward so far with five goals, but if Anfield's former golden boy Michael Owen makes a sensational return from Real Madrid then Cisse, who has been linked with a move to Marseille, could be out.

Liverpool have scored just one goal in two Premiership matches but Benitez continues to dismiss any interest in adding another striker to his side.

"I have said many times that we have six strikers here and even if we are down to five, it will be the same. I need players in another position and I am not doing anything about Owen," said Benitez.

"I am talking with my scouts about a centre-back and a winger. I am not talking about Michael."

Liverpool head into Tuesday's clash with CSKA Sofia 3-1 up hoping they can satisfy the fans with goals and a place in the group phase but a lack of goals could encourage Benitez to think twice about Owen.

On Friday, Liverpool face CSKA Moscow in the Super Cup in Monaco three days after Benitez has tackled CSKA Sofia.

FIXTURES
Tuesday's Champions League 3rd qualifying round second leg matches (1st leg scores shown):
Monaco (FRA) v Real Betis (ESP) 0-1
Panathinaikos (GRE) v Wisla Krakow (POL)1-3
Udinese (ITA) v Sporting Lisbon (POR) 1-0
Thun (SUI) v Malmo (SWE) 1-0
Partizan Belgrade (SEM) v Artmedia Bratislava (SVK) 0-0
Rosenborg (NOR) v Steaua Bucharest (ROM)1-1
Lokomotiv Moscow (RUS) v Rapid Vienna (AUT) 1-1
Liverpool (ENG) v CKSA Sofia (BUL)3-1