Fernando Torres is out for the rest of the season so David Ngog starts up front for the Reds tonight in a game that Liverpool need to win if they want to finish in one of the European spots. Mascherano is on the bench so Gerrard will be in midfield with Lucas, meaning Kuyt, Maxi or Benayoun will be candidates for Gerrard’s usual advanced role tonight.
Agger is at left-back again, Johnson at right back, with Carragher and Kyrgiakos both starting.
Pepe Reina is in goal.
Aquilani is on the bench again, with Ryan Babel and El Zhar the main options if the Reds are struggling for a goal.
Liverpool also face an arduous journey by land to Spain for Thursday’s Europa Cup semi-final against Atletico, thanks to the volcano ash that’s grounded all flights out of England. If the airspace clears up maybe the new chairman will be able to get them a flight, but that’s still quite unlikely.
West Ham’s manager Zola will no doubt enjoy a chat after the game with Rafa, the topic almost certainly be how to deal with troublesome owners.
Liverpool: 25 Reina, 2 Johnson, 16 Kyrgiakos, 23 Carragher, 5 Agger, 21 Lucas, 8 Gerrard, 18 Kuyt, 17 Maxi, 15 Benayoun, 24 Ngog
Subs: 1 Cavalieri, 27 Degen, 40 Ayala, 4 Aquilani, 20 Mascherano, 19 Babel, 31 El Zhar
West Ham: 1 Green, 15 Upson, 18 Spector, 20 Faubert, 22 Da Costa, 14 Kovac, 16 Noble, 21 Behrami, 46 Stanislas, 9 Ilan, 12 Cole
Subs: 28 Kurucz, 4 Gabbidon, 33 Daprela, 32 Alessandro Diamanti, 10 Franco, 11 Mido, 17 McCarthy