Morientes could return

Fernando Morientes is back in Liverpool’s first-team squad for their Barclays Premiership encounter with Blackburn after missing the last six matches with a hamstring problem.

Skipper Steven Gerrard is out following the shin muscle injury he picked up on international duty with England.

Liverpool are aiming to end a run of four matches without a victory and, more particularly, recover from the 4-1 mauling they suffered at home to Chelsea a fortnight ago.

Boss Rafael Benitez has revealed that Harry Kewell and Jerzy Dudek are close to fitness, and that Spanish pair Xabi Alonso and Luis Garcia – who were not involved for their country this week, the former through suspension – are also fit.

Provisional squad: Reina, Finnan, Josemi, Carragher, Hyypia, Warnock, Traore, Luis Garcia, Hamann, Xabi Alonso, Sissoko, Riise, Zenden, Morientes, Cisse, Crouch, Sinama-Pongolle, Carson.