Kirkland on bench for United clash

Chris Kirkland will be sitting on the bench at Old Trafford for Liverpool, at last able to put pressure on unconvincing keeper Jerzy Dudek.

Kirkland came through a reserve game unscathed last week, and boss Rafael Benitez says it is “too early” for him to return to the first team.

But any repeats of Dudek’s shaky form against Monaco last week or another of his gaffs against Manchester United, and the youngster could be back in the side.

Benitez has no major injury problems for trip to face Manchester United, although young striker Florent Sinama-Pongolle has picked up an ankle problem.

Provisional squad: Dudek, Josemi, Carragher, Hyypia, Henchoz, Riise, Garcia, Hamann, Gerrard, Alonso, Kewell, Cisse, Baros, Finnan, Warnock, Biscan, Kirkland, Diao, Traore.