Crouch pushing for Reds start

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez will need to check on minor leg injuries to Steven Gerrard and Craig Bellamy before finalising his side to face Blackburn at Ewood Park on St Stephen's Day.

But both are expected to be fit to play as Liverpool bid to extend their unbeaten league record to eight matches following Saturday’s 2-0 home win over Watford.

Benitez will want to rotate his squad with four matches over the holiday period with Peter Crouch and Mark Gonzalez pressing for a starting role after being substitutes on Saturday. Mohamed Sissoko, Boudewijn Zenden and Harry Kewell are all still injured.

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