Gerrard set for Cottage comeback

Steven Gerrard is out of Liverpool’s Carling Cup fourth round tie at Arsenal tomorrow, but should have recovered from his groin problem to play in Saturday’s Barclays Premier League game at Fulham.

The Reds will be without suspended midfielder Javier Mascherano tomorrow, while £20m Italy international Alberto Aquilani is named in a first-team squad for the first time since his summer move, having now recovered fully from an ankle operation.

Martin Kelly (ankle) and Albert Riera (hamstring) are out, while defenders Andrea Dossena and Sotirios Kyrgiakos could both figure having recovered from injuries, the latter defying an initial prognosis he could face six months out with a knee injury.

Provisional squad: Cavalieri, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Skrtel, Kyrgiakos, Dossena, Degen, Babel, Ngog, Lucas, Aquilani, Plessis, Insua, Aurelio, Carragher, Voronin, Spearing, Eccleston, Amoo, Torres, Reina.