Carragher leads fringe players against Leeds

Jamie Carragher took over as captain as Liverpool made nine changes for tonight’s Carling Cup third-round tie at League One leaders Leeds.

Boss Rafael Benitez opted to field a number of fringe players for the Elland Road clash, leaving Carragher and Javier Mascherano as the only survivors from the weekend win at West Ham.

The Reds, however, did have the insurance of big guns Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Glen Johnson on the bench.

It was Liverpool’s first trip to Leeds since 2004 and Leeds were anticipating their biggest crowd since being relegated from the top flight that year.

Leeds made one change following their 4-1 win over Gillingham with Lubomir Michalik replacing Leigh Bromby.

Leeds: Higgs, Crowe, Kisnorbo, Michalik, Hughes, Howson, Doyle, Johnson, Snodgrass, Beckford, Becchio.

Subs: Ankergren, Naylor, Prutton, Kilkenny, Grella, Robinson, Showunmi.

Liverpool: Cavalieri, Degen, Kyrgiakos, Carragher, Dossena, Aurelio, Mascherano, Spearing, Riera, Babel, Ngog.

Subs: Reina, Johnson, Gerrard, Torres, Voronin, Plessis, Skrtel.

Referee: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire)