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It's one thing going into your biggest game of the season with some big players missing – it’s another coming in on the back of your worst result of the year.

Liverpool’s under 19s take on Benfica in a Champions League last 16 tie at 3pm in Lisbon on Tuesday, in a one-off tie which must be decided on the day.

Liverpool made the knock-out rounds alongside Real Madrid after a dramatic 3-0 final group game against Basel at Langtree Park in St Helens, when they needed to win by two goals to progress.

But several of the team from early December will be unavailable to manager Neil Critchley who flew out with his young squad on Monday to take on a Benfica team who finished unlucky runners-up to Barcelona in last year’s final.

And he will need to lift several of the players who were involved with the under 18s who suffered a 5-0 derby day defeat to Everton at Finch Farm on Saturday morning.

Midfield prospect Jordan Rossiter is out for two months after ankle surgery while Ryan Kent, who scored a crucial goal as the Reds went through against Basel, has an ongoing back problem which has kept him on the sidelines for a number of weeks. Star winger Sheyi Ojo has also gone on loan to Wigan where he has earned two Man of the Match awards despite the struggles of the team.

Speaking after Saturday’s loss, where he criticised his side’s lack of desire and intensity, Critchley said: “We’re obviously looking forward to that game but it’s going to take me 24 hours to get over this one first.

“The team will be vastly different on Tuesday and we shall try to go there in a positive frame of mind. We know it’s a tough ask but it’s still a game we’re capable of winning.”

Here’s three Liverpool players to look out for during the game, which will be broadcast on delay on LFCTV:

Harry Wilson: The Welsh wizard has been in fine form this year, including scoring the winner against Real Madrid at Langtree in the group stages.

A talented winger who can drift past players with a minimum of fuzz, Wilson has the sort of left foot that gives left feet their reputation. That makes him a dead ball specialist and he is likely to get the call if Liverpool earn a free kick anywhere near the box.

His reputation is such that it is worth remembering he is still a month short of his 18th birthday, after Wales gave him a full international cap at the age of just 16 in September 2013.

He is nursing an ankle injury and missed the derby debacle but played against Sunderland for the under 21s last Monday and set up Liverpool’s winner.

Youtube: https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9t5Wun96Mw

Jerome Sinclair: The 18-year-old has been in fine goalscoring form, netting a total of 21 at all levels for the Academy this year. He has benefitted from coaching from none other than Robbie Fowler who has been working with the forwards at Kirkby for the last few months.

A powerful and quick individual, Sinclair possesses a strong shot, evidenced recently when he blasted past ex-Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes in the Manchester United goal for the under 21s.

Sinclair has the distinction of being the youngest ever player for Liverpool’s first team, appearing in the League Cup at former club West Brom just six days after turning 16. He has had to be patient since but one suspects he could be one of those most ready to step up to Melwood permanently.

https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTqU-exhdJI

Sergi Canos: Recruited from Barcelona’s famed La Masia Academy in 2013, it took Canos perhaps a year to settle into life on Merseyside but he has been in fine form this year, making a step into the under-21s on occasions, and rattling in some 16 goals in all games.

An attacking right-sided midfielder he can also play as a striker and started in that position in the recent 1-0 defeat of Sunderland. Canos seems blessed with a great desire to win and if things are not going well, he is one of those you most expect to help turn a match around.

His year includes an impressive spell in the Indonesian Frenz tournament where Liverpool were unlucky to lose out in the quarter finals to his boyhood team, Valencia, despite his goal and a hat-trick against Derby in a 5-5 draw. Turned 18 just this month.

https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZ0RgcpA9ME

GALLERY: The under 18s Liverpool team in their last Youth Cup game against Birmingham

Here's three Benfica players to look out for in the game:

Romario Balde: 18-year-old winger Romario Balde is considered to be one of the most outstanding prospect at last season’s UEFA Youth League runners-up Benfica.

The pacey youngster, nicknamed “Bandito” is a regular scorer at youth level for the Portuguese giants and he has translated that form onto the European stage with some standout performances for Benfica in this year’s UEFA Youth League.

Indeed, Balde is Benfica’s joint top scorer in the competition with a return of three goals having played in all six group games.

Balde is adept at using both feet but likes to use his pace to take up central positions, often cutting in and using his right foot to shoot at goal. He likes to use stepovers and feints to shift the ball to his favoured side before firing a shot at goal. Balde also takes both free kicks and penalties for Benfica.

Balde scored in both fixtures with Leverkusen and also struck against Monaco in the group stage and Liverpool’s defence will have to be alert to keep him out.

Youtube: https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=nH0VmMs8nUE

Renato Sanches: Type Renato Sanches into Google and you’ll no doubt spot one video touting the Benfica youngster as the “next Ronaldinho”.

Watch the man in action and it’s easy to see why.

A right-footed player who likes to play just left of centre in midfield, Sanches has an effortless style. He waltzes around the pitch with his back straight and dispatches excellent passes and shots with very little back-lift. He’s a player who stands out - and he even has the Ronaldinho haircut down to a tee.

Sanches has represented Portugal at every level up to U19 and has played in five of Benfica’s six appearances in this year’s UEFA Youth League. He’s also turned out for Benfica B.

Although he’s yet to score in the competition this year, most of Benfica’s play goes through Sanches and he’s got four assists to his name for good measure.

Sanches also caught the eye in the UEFA U17 European Championships last summer and was named in the team of the tournament as a result.

He’s going to be one for Liverpool to keep an eye on as they try to pull of the upset in Lisbon.

Youtube: https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHv7RyN7DbA

Joao Carvalho: An ever-present at the heart of Benfica’s midfield in their UEFA League run, Joao Carvalho is a highly touted Portuguese youth international with superb passing and an eye for goal.

Carvalho is an attack-minding midfielder who likes to use his pace and acceleration to burst into the opposition penalty area and cause havoc.

He scored twice against Leverkusen in the group stage and set up four goals for his team-mates throughout the opening six games.

Carvalho impressed in the UEFA U17 European Championships in Malta last summer as the Portuguese won all three of their group games before falling to England in the knockout stage.

Youtube: https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPTYonltNos