Gerrard starts for Liverpool

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has been handed his first start since late October as manager Kenny Dalglish named a strong team for their FA Cup third-round tie at home to Oldham tonight.

Injury-plagued left-back Fabio Aurelio makes his first appearance of the season as the Reds make eight changes from the side which lost at Manchester City on Tuesday.

Oldham have made four alterations from their 1-1 draw at Chesterfield, the most significant being the recall of striker Shefki Kuqi at the expense of Monday’s goalscorer Matt Smith.

Liverpool: Reina, Kelly, Carragher, Coates, Aurelio, Gerrard, Spearing, Maxi, Shelvey, Bellamy, Kuyt.

Subs: Doni, Carroll, Henderson, Downing, Adam, Skrtel, Flanagan.

Oldham: Cisak, Lee, Mvoto, Diamond, Taylor, Adeyemi, Wesolowski, Furman, Scapuzzi, Robbie Simpson, Kuqi.

Subs: Bouzanis, Black, Morais, Smith, Tarkowski, Parker, Mancini.

Referee: Neil Swarbrick.