Carragher and Coates start for Reds

Liverpool defender Sebastian Coates was surprisingly handed his first Barclays Premier League start at home to Stoke.

Jamie Carragher was also given his first league start since October 29 as Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish, making five changes from midweek Carling Cup semi-final win at Manchester City, opted for a back three.

Stoke made two changes from their last league outing – on January 2 – with Rory Delap and Wilson Palacios replacing Ryan Shotton and Dean Whitehead.

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Coates, Skrtel, Jose Enrique, Carragher, Adam, Henderson, Gerrard, Downing, Kuyt.

Subs: Doni, Aurelio, Carroll, Shelvey, Kelly, Flanagan, Bellamy.

Stoke: Sorensen, Woodgate, Shawcross, Huth, Wilson, Delap, Whelan, Palacios, Etherington, Walters, Crouch.

Subs: Begovic, Jones, Fuller, Pennant, Whitehead, Wilkinson, Jerome.

Referee: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire)