Skrtel back for Reds
Liverpool centre-back Martin Skrtel is set to make his return to action in Sunday's Barclays Premier League clash with Manchester United at Anfield.
Skrtel, yet to feature this season, is available after recovering from a knee problem, but full-back Aly Cissokho will play no part in the contest after picking up an ankle injury in Tuesday's Capital One Cup victory against Notts County that could see him sidelined for four to six weeks.
Two other Liverpool players who came off injured in that game, defender Kolo Toure (groin) and midfielder Joe Allen (hamstring), are doubts.
Captain Steven Gerrard is relishing the contest, which will be the first of two in the space of a month after the clubs were also paired in the next round of the cup.
Gerrard said: "You've got the two most successful clubs in the country and the rivalry is huge because of how close the clubs are and all the massive games and battles we've had with them over the years.
"If you ask any supporter or player to pick a game they'd like to win, you look for Manchester United."
United boss David Moyes could name an unchanged starting line-up.
Defender Phil Jones is expected to recover from the blow to his back he sustained during Monday's goalless draw with Chelsea.
Rafael (hamstring) is still out injured, whilst Nani (groin), Jonny Evans (ankle) and Javier Hernandez (hamstring) were not involved against Jose Mourinho's men.
Moyes has called on fans of both clubs to behave ahead of the powderkeg encounter
Tensions are usually high on such occasions, and Moyes' return to Anfield, after 11 years as manager of Everton, will make the atmosphere even more fevered than usual.
Yet there has been an even deeper twist, with Liverpool having to apologise for a comment posted on its Twitter feed last night which seemed to endorse a suggested pre-match play-list from a fan that poked fun at the 1958 Munich air crash.
This in turn has led to calls for retribution from some United supporters, including the minute's applause planned in honour of one of Liverpool's greatest managers, Bill Shankly, to mark what would have been his 100th birthday.
However, Moyes has stressed no-one should be allowed to wreck what remains one of the stand-out games of the domestic football calendar.
"This doesn't need anybody else to get involved," he said.
"It is a great game of football, with two fantastic football clubs.
"If anybody from Liverpool or Manchester United stepped out of line they shouldn't. It is important people watch this game for the football and nothing else.
"All I can say is I am looking forward to going. It will be a great occasion.
"Hopefully everyone conducts themselves in the right manner."
Source: DSG
Source: DSG