Rafa stunned by double whammy

Midfielder Xabi Alonso and defender Daniel Agger are likely to be out for up to six weeks, totally disrupting the plans of manager Rafael Benitez.

They missed Tuesday's opening Champions League group draw with Porto after suffering recurrences of foot injuries in training at the Dragon Stadium.

Alonso has struggled with the problem for several weeks and, although he left Portugal with his left foot in a brace, at first Liverpool's medical staff believed his condition was not be serious.

Agger's place was taken by Sami Hyypia, whose lack of pace was exposed by Porto for their opening goal.

Alonso and Agger were both taken to a Merseyside hospital after the team returned yesterday and last night Benitez worst fears were confirmed.

The loss of the influential pair is a huge blow to Benitez, particularly in defence, where Agger's form has been crucial in Liverpool's fine start to the season. As the only cover in central defence, Hyypia is now set for an extended run in the team.

This double injury blow even overshadowed Liverpool's poor showing against Porto, who are now unbeaten in 10 games at home to the Premiership's big four.

Jermaine Pennant's dismissal for two bookable offences all but ruined the chance of under-par Liverpool gaining a victory, even if striker Dirk Kuyt was denied an unlikely winner in the dying minutes.

Pennant seemed intent on earning a second yellow after he was cautioned by Slovakian referee Lubos Michel for a trip on defender Fucile.

Benitez was considering withdrawing the midfielder for Yossi Benayoun when Pennant took out Fucile again in front of the Liverpool fans, getting closer to them than the ball.

The former Arsenal player protested his innocence even though his manager accepted the challenge had been unwise to say the least.

But Pennant, grateful his team-mates held on for a point which could prove valuable as Liverpool have to face equally testing trips to Marseille and Besiktas, at least claimed he had learned his lesson.

Pennant said: "The referees are harsher in Europe and I was baffled by him all night. I definitely have to learn there's a difference in how the referees approach these games.

"In Europe you have to stay on your feet. I didn't think it was the right decision to send me off. It wasn't a yellow card because it wasn't a serious foul, and I didn't touch the Porto player. He made a meal of it.

"The whistling crowd influences the referee and makes his decision easier. It's the first time in my senior career I've been sent off."

Hyypia said there were no excuses for Liverpool's lethargy and conceded the team needed a "kick up the backside".

The Finland international said: "When we got the ball we lost it right away and that should not happen. I don't know what was wrong.

"It could be a kick up the backside. We understand we didn't play well but still got the point. We realise what we have to do to get a better result."