Liverpool will be without Jamie Carragher and Philipp Degen for the clash against Birmingham at Anfield on Monday.

The pair are starting their suspensions after they were sent off against Fulham last weekend.

There is better news on the injury front at last for Liverpool. Martin Skrtel (virus) and Fabio Aurelio (calf) are back in the squad.

Albert Riera (hamstring) is also close to a comeback, but there are still doubts over Glen Johnson and Martin Kelly, while Liverpool are still assessing the groin problems affecting Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.

Birmingham midfielder Barry Ferguson is suspended.

The former Scotland international was sent off for two bookable offences during Sunday's goalless draw with Manchester City and could be replaced by Lee Carsley.

On-loan goalkeeper Joe Hart is available after being ineligible to face his parent club although deputy Maik Taylor impressed against Mark Hughes' side.

Winger Keith Fahey is battling to overcome a knock to his knee in training but striker Garry O'Connor is still troubled by a groin problem and is a doubt.

Teams:

Liverpool (from): Reina, Aurelio, Darby, Agger, Skrtel, Kyrgiakos, Insua, Lucas, Mascherano, Aquilani, Kuyt, Babel, Benayoun, Voronin, Ngog, Cavalieri, Spearing, Riera, Torres, Gerrard, Ayala, Plessis.

Birmingham (from): Hart, Taylor, Carr, Parnaby, Johnson, Dann, Queudrue, Ridgewell, Vignal, Larsson, Bowyer, Carsley, Fahey, McFadden, McSheffrey, Jerome, Benitez, Phillips, O'Connor, Doyle.