Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez expects Xabi Alonso to be on a jet to Oslo today.

The Daily Star says Alonso stayed in Spain following Sunday's friendly defeat by Espanyol, along with Albert Riera and Pepe Reina, after Liverpool's players were given yesterday off.

But he will be expected to board the flight to Oslo for the game against FC Lyn tonight unless there is a dramatic breakthrough in negotiations with Real Madrid.