Kromkamp and Agger start for Reds

Liverpool included transfer window signings Jan Kromkamp and Daniel Agger in the side to face Manchester City while Steven Gerrard and Peter Crouch returned after the Champions League defeat against Benfica.

Jamie Carragher (suspended), Robbie Fowler (unavailable) and Mohamed Sissoko (eye injury) were all out, while Luis Garcia was only named on the bench.

City were missing last weekend’s FA Cup goalscoring hero Micah Richards and striker Darius Vassell due to injuries, and brought in Danny Mills – recovered from a shin injury – and Trevor Sinclair, out over a groin problem.

Liverpool: Reina, Finnan, Agger, Hyypia, Riise, Kromkamp, Gerrard, Alonso, Kewell, Crouch, Morientes.

Subs: Dudek, Cisse, Luis Garcia, Hamann, Traore.

Man City: James, Danny Mills, Dunne, Distin, Jordan, Sinclair, Barton, Musampa, Riera, Samaras, Sibierski.

Subs: Weaver, Sommeil, Ireland, Croft, Wright-Phillips.

Referee: D Gallagher (Oxfordshire)