Henchoz doubt for Reds

There are still doubts over Swiss defender Stephane Henchoz’s fitness as Liverpool prepare for Saturday’s Barclaycard Premiership match at Birmingham with their Champions League dreams on the line.

Henchoz has a groin injury and Jamie Carragher is standing by to switch from full-back to central defence in a game Liverpool must win to retain their pole position in the race for fourth spot.

If Carragher has to play at centre-back, Steve Finnan will return to his more familiar right-back role.

Boss Gerard Houllier will be without Vladimir Smicer (knee) and Chris Kirkland (broken wrist).

Bruno Cheyrou and out of favour El-Hadji Diouf are both in contention to replace Smicer but Houllier may decide to restore Harry Kewell to a wide midfield role and bring either Milan Baros or Emile Heskey in up front alongside Michael Owen.

Provisional squad: Dudek, Finnan, Carragher, Henchoz, Hyypia, Riise, Kewell, Murphy, Hamann, Gerrard, Owen, Heskey, Baros, Pongolle, Biscan, Traore, Luzi, Cheyrou, Le Tallec, Diouf.