Rafa Benitez has only made one change to his line-up for tonight’s clash with Arsenal, and that’s one he was forced to make.
Sotirios Kyrgiakos is serving the first of a three-match ban for his sending-off in Saturday’s derby victory, meaning Martin Skrtel gets straight back into the starting line-up having dropped to the bench due to illness at the weekend. This means Jamie Carragher will start at right-back, Emilian Insua at left back and Daniel Agger will partner Skrtel. Martin Kelly is a welcome sight on the bench following a lengthy injury lay-off.
With Alberto Aquilani suffering from a bug of some kind Lucas and Javier Mascherano start in midfield. Kuyt and Maxi will probably start in the wider positions with Gerrard behind David Ngog.
Arsenal: 1 Almunia, 5 Vermaelen, 10 Gallas, 22 Clichy, 27 Eboue, 2 Diaby, 4 Fabregas, 8 Nasri, 17 Song Billong, 23 Arshavin, 52 Bendtner
Subs: 21 Fabianski, 3 Sagna, 30 Traore, 31 Campbell, 7 Rosicky, 14 Walcott, 15 Denilson
Liverpool: 25 Reina, 23 Carragher, 37 Skrtel, 5 Agger, 22 Insua, 20 Mascherano, 21 Lucas, 18 Kuyt, 8 Gerrard, 17 Maxi, 24 Ngog
Subs: 1 Cavalieri, 12 Aurelio, 27 Degen, 34 Kelly, 11 Riera, 26 Spearing, 19 Babel
Referee: Howard Webb
Assistant referees: Darren Cann and Stephen Child
Fourth official: Simon Bennett
Kick-off: 7:45pm
A game we could have won. Poor defending.