Heskey on sidelines

Emile Heskey will miss the Mersey derby with hamstring problems and could be out for three weeks.

It means that Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier could stick with the side that finished last weekend’s FA Cup win over Newcastle, which included the impressive Anthony Le Tallec in a midfield role after Heskey’s departure.

Houllier’s other option is to include the more combative Danny Murphy.

Third choice keeper Patrice Luzi is fit after a back injury and will take his place on the bench now that Paul Jones has been released from his loan spell to join Wolves.

Vladmir Smicer (Achillies) and Milan Baros (ankle) are expected to play in Monday’s reserve match at Southport against Newcastle.

PROVISIONAL SQUAD: Dudek, Finnan, Henchoz, Hyypia, Carragher, Le Tallec, Murphy, Hamann, Gerrard, Kewell, Cheyrou, Owen, Biscan, Riise, Traore, Luzi, Welsh, Otsemobor.