Rafael Benitez is facing a striker crisis ahead of this weekend's vital clash with league leaders Chelsea at Anfield.

The Reds are still in with a slight chance of sneaking into the top four if they can clinch a win over the Blues but they also have to rely heavily on other results.

However, their chances of defeating Chelsea could rely on the fitness of strikers Dirk Kuyt and David Ngog who will undergo fitness tests prior to the clash.

Dutchman Kuyt has a calf problem and young Frenchman Ngog is being troubled by a back injury and both will need to pass a fitness test to be right to play.