Captain Steven Gerrard is close to a return after a groin operation sidelined him in March while right-back Glen Johnson is in contention for his first start of the season after recovering from a hamstring injury.

Defender Martin Kelly is also close to fitness after sustaining a hamstring problem in Liverpool's last outing against Bolton prior to the international break.

Provisional squad: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Enrique, Adam, Lucas, Henderson, Downing, Kuyt, Suarez, Doni, Skrtel, Robinson, Flanagan, Shelvey, Spearing, Rodriguez, Bellamy, Carroll.