Maxi back for Liverpool

Midfielder Maxi Rodriguez is likely to return to Liverpool’s starting line-up for Sunday’s visit of Chelsea in the Premier League.

The Argentina international was ineligible for Thursday’s Europa League semi-final exit to Atletico Madrid and so will be a welcome addition of fresh legs to an injury-hit squad.

Striker Dirk Kuyt recovered from a calf injury to face Atletico but his fitness and that of a number of players – including midfielder Javier Mascherano who was substituted late on against the Spaniards – will be assessed tomorrow.

Forward David Ngog’s hamstring injury meant he never left the bench on Thursday and doubts remain about his fitness.

Provisional squad: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Kyrgiakos, Agger, Lucas, Mascherano, Gerrard, Aquilani, Rodriguez, Babel, Benayoun, Ngog, Kuyt, Cavalieri, Degen, El Zhar, Pacheco, Ayala, Plessis.