Johnson back for Napoli clash

Defender Glen Johnson is set to make his return in Liverpool’s Europa League Group K tie at home to Napoli after missing the last four matches with a thigh problem.

Manager Roy Hodgson has promised to field a strong side – although he refused to say whether Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres would play – having earned a creditable goalless draw in Italy a fortnight ago.

However, he is definitely missing Dirk Kuyt (ankle), Fabio Aurelio (groin) and Joe Cole (hamstring), while Daniel Agger has travelled to London to see a specialist about his calf injury.

Ryan Babel (rib) has trained but second-choice goalkeeper Brad Jones is absent tomorrow.

Provisional squad: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Krygiakos, Konchesky, Poulsen, Lucas, Gerrard, Rodriguez, Ngog, Jovanovic, Hansen, Spearing, Shelvey, Kelly, Babel, Eccleston.