Fowler and Crouch set for Liverpool return

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez will attempt a careful balancing act when he names his squad for tomorrow’s Carling Cup quarter-final against Arsenal at Anfield.

He will aim to rest players ahead of the busy Christmas programme, but without jeopardising the Anfield club’s chances of reaching the last four.

Benitez aims to rest some senior players, but is unlikely to plunge youngsters into the side at this stage of the competition. Daniel Agger, Fabio Aurelio, Luis Garcia, Peter Crouch and Robbie Fowler – none of whom were in the starting line-up at Charlton on Saturday – will come into consideration.

Provisional squad: Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Agger, Riise, Aurelio, Luis Garcia, Pennant, Gerrard, Alonso, Gonzalez, Crouch, Fowler, Bellamy, Kuyt, Dudek, Paletta, Peltier.