The Greece international played 45 minutes of the second string's 3-2 defeat by Blackburn reserves, and with concerns still over Martin Skrtel's jaw injury the new centre-back is set to play at the Reebok.

After two league defeats in three games, boss Rafael Benitez needs to get Liverpool's season on track quickly. But he is still without Fabio Aurelio, Daniel Agger and new midfielder Alberto Aquilani - all long-term injured.

Liverpool provisional squad: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Kyrgiakos, Insua, Benayoun, Babel, Mascherano, Lucas, Voronin, Kuyt, Gerrard, Torres, Cavalieri, Dossena, Ayala, Kelly, Spearing, Riera, Ngog.