Gerrard a doubt for Saints trip

Steven Gerrard is a major Liverpool doubt for the Premiership trip to Southampton with a groin injury that has been troubling him all week, and it has now emerged would have ruled him out of the FA Cup defeat at Burnley.

Benitez has Spanish defender Josemi close to a return after his ankle problems, while new signing Scott Carson will be on the bench as back-up goalkeeper to Jerzy Dudek.

Fernando Morientes and Mauricio Pellegrino, both not signed in time to play at Burnley, are also added to the squad.

Benitez is still without long term injured players Steve Finnan, Djibril Cisse, Xabi Alonso, Harry Kewell, Vladimir Smicer and Chris Kirkland. He is also missing winger Antonio Nunez who is starting a three-match suspension.

The arrival of Carson means that third choice ’keeper Paul Harrison has joined Leeds on a one month loan.

Provisional squad: Dudek, Carragher, Pellegrino, Hyypia, Traore, Garcia, Hamann, Gerrard, Biscan, Warnock, Josemi, Welsh, Baros, Sinama-Pongolle, Morientes, Mellor, Carson, Riise, Potter.