Morientes blow for Liverpool

Liverpool striker Fernando Morientes is out for the rest of the holiday programme at least.

The former Real Madrid man has suffered a knee-ligament injury and misses both the home game against West Brom tomorrow and Monday’s trip to Bolton.

Manager Rafael Benitez is likely to stick with the front pairing of Djibril Cisse and Peter Crouch as Liverpool attempt to build on the two victories they have already achieved in the Christmas spell.

Provisional squad: Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Warnock, Riise, Luis Garcia, Kewell, Alonso, Hamann, Sissoko, Gerrard, Crouch, Cisse, Sinama-Pongolle, Traore, Carson, Dudek.