Liverpool have been granted special dispensation from UEFA to expand their squad list for their Champions League clinker at Olympique Lyon.

The Times says manager Rafa Benítez has taken the unusual step of naming a 20-man squad, with Stephen Darby, the 21-year-old right back who has never started a game for the club, included in case Glen Johnson fails to recover from the calf strain that has kept the England defender out of action since Liverpool's victory over Manchester United nine days ago.

Uefa has also given the club special dispensation to promote Danny Ayala, the 18-year-old centre back, into the squad from their B-list.