Gerrard ruled out

Steven Gerrard is out of Liverpool’s tough trip to Chelsea with the groin injury which prevented him playing at Yeovil.

It is highly likely that Liverpool will also be without their captain on Saturday at home to Aston Villa.

Michael Owen, who did not even make the FA Cup trip to Somerset despite being declared fit, could well make his return at Stamford Bridge after six weeks out.

Milan Baros, Jamie Carragher and Steve Finnan are all a few weeks away from a return – and Chris Kirkland is out for a couple of months with his broken finger, so boss Gerard Houllier has little room for change.

Provisional squad: Dudek, Henchoz, Hyypia, Biscan, Riise, Diouf, Murphy, Hamann, Smicer, Cheyrou, Pongolle, Le Tallec, Heskey, Owen, Kewell, Luzi, Traore, Otsemobor.