Raven gets call while Reds wait on Gerrard

Liverpool will give reserve team captain David Raven a first team run-out in the Carling Cup tie at Crystal Palace and may even have club captain Steven Gerrard back.

The 20-year-old Raven, also the England Youth captain, will probably play at right back – the position he was used in last season for two previous Carling Cup ties, including the memorable quarter-final victory at Spurs.

Gerrard could also play after recovering from his shin injury. He was a late withdrawal from the squad which lost at Fulham following a slight reaction to his injury in training.

But he completed a full session on Sunday and is being considered by boss Rafael Benitez, who will also have Darren Potter and Zak Whitbread involved but is unlikely to add any further youngsters to the squad because of a reserve match with Blackburn on Wednesday. Jamie Carragher is expected to be rested.

Liverpool provisional squad: Carson, Raven, Hyypia, Whitbread, Warnock, Potter, Gerrard, Alonso, Hamann, Sissoko, Zenden, Crouch, Cisse, Morientes, Kewell, Sinama-Pongolle, Reina, Riise, Traore, Josemi, Carragher.