Liverpool will be out for revenge when they welcome Arsenal to
Anfield on Tuesday night for a Carling Cup quarter-final that is
live on Sky Sports 1.
The Reds lost 3-0 at Emirates Stadium earlier in the season and
Rafa Benitez's men will be looking to make amends in front of their
home support in England's second cup competition.
The Carling Cup is frequently used as a testing ground for
youngsters by England's elite clubs, but both Benitez and Arsene
Wenger have already pledged to field relatively strong sides.
Liverpool, who saw off Reading and Birmingham in their previous
rounds, will rotate their squad somewhat with Benitez likely to
call on Peter Crouch and Robbie Fowler to stand in for strike pair
Craig Bellamy and Dirk Kuyt.
Luis Garcia and Fabio Aurelio could also come into the starting XI,
with Jerzy Dudek hoping for a rare start in goal in place of Jose
Reina.
Boudewijn Zenden (knee), Mohamed Sissoko (shoulder) and Harry
Kewell (septic arthritis) are all currently convalescing in the
Anfield treatment room, whilst Benitez could give youngsters Lee
Peltier and Danny Guthrie another taste of the action.
Arsenal's own youngsters have proven their class in the competition
so far, recording wins over West Bromwich Albion and, more
impressively, Everton.
Wenger's team is likely to take on a more experienced complexion at
Anfield, with Czech Republic captain Tomas Rosicky returning from a
hamstring problem for his first appearance since 2nd
December.
Even better news for The Gunners is the possible first-team return
of Lauren who played in a behind-closed-doors friendly last week
after 11 months out with a serious knee problem.
Thierry Henry and Freddie Ljungberg (both hamstring) are out until
the New Year - with William Gallas also sidelined with a thigh
problem - and their absence is likely to pave the way for teenage
star Theo Walcott to notch up another start.
Wenger has rested Cesc Fabregas, Emmanuel Adebayor, Gael Clichy and
a number of other regular performers, with the likes of Denilson,
Fran Merida, Jeremie Aliadiere and Armand Traore hoping to be given
the nod for the all-Premiership clash.