Liverpool without Gerrard and Carragher for Toulouse tie

LIVERPOOL, England, Aug 27 (Reuters) Liverpool will be without injured captain Steven Gerrard and defender Jamie Carragher for their Champions League clash with Toulouse tomorrow at Anfield.

Midfielder Gerrard has a broken toe and Carragher has a broken rib. Liverpool hold a 1-0 lead after the first leg of the third qualifying round tie.

''Both players will not be available for this game, It's a shame because they are both important players for us,'' manager Rafael Benitez told the club's Web site.

Gerrard, who missed England's midweek defeat by Germany and the Premier League win over Sunderland, could be back to face Derby on Saturday but Benitez did not put a timescale on Carragher's return.

''Carra is improving which is good news. I need to talk to the doctor to find out more and to see how long he will be out for,'' Benitez added.

''It's clear that with Steven we need to take care of him. He could be available for the game at the weekend but we'll have to see.

''Again I will need to talk to the doctor first because I don't want to run the risk of losing him for a long time.'' Benitez said Liverpool should still be good enough to hold on to their advantage against the French side.

''I am always a positive person and I am confident we will get through, but the players know there is still a game to play and we have to get the right result.'' REUTERS BJR KP2047