Cole and Konchesky doubts for Reds trip to Blackpool

New Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish goes into his first Barclays Premier League match since his surprise return at the weekend without the services of captain Steven Gerrard at Blackpool tomorrow.

The England midfielder was sent off in the FA Cup defeat at Manchester United and serves a three-match ban.

Right-back Glen Johnson missed the Old Trafford match to be with his heavily-pregnant wife and would remain a doubt if she has still not given birth.

Midfielder Joe Cole (ankle) and defender Paul Konchesky (dead leg) will be assessed before the short trip up the coast and although midfielder Jay Spearing has recovered from a broken ankle he will play for the reserves today.

Provisional squad: Reina, Kelly, Agger, Skrtel, Aurelio, Lucas, Meireles, Kuyt, Rodriguez, Torres, Babel, Gulacsi, Kyrgiakos, Poulsen, Shelvey, Ngog, Jovanovic, Johnson, Cole, Konchesky.