Line-up vs Man City: Gerrard returns and Ngog starts

Liverpool welcome back skipper Steven Gerrard for today’s Premier League clash with Manchester City at Anfield.

The midfielder has recovered from a groin injury that kept him out of the best part of a month’s action for the Reds before the recent international break.

Jamie Carragher returns to the centre of Liverpool’s defence after serving a one match ban for his red card against Fulham three weeks ago.

With Glen Johnson deemed unfit to play, Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger both get starting places in the Reds defence, with Emiliano Insua at left-back.

After their mysterious horse placenta treatement in Serbia this week, Albert Riera, Yossi Benayoun and Fabio Aurelio are on the bench for the Reds as Ryan Babel and David Ngog lead the Reds attack.

As expected, Fernando Torres’ injury problems keep him out of the squad.

Liverpool: Reina, Skrtel, Carragher, Agger, Insua, Mascherano, Lucas, Kuyt, Gerrard, Babel, Ngog. Subs: Cavalieri, Aquilani, El Zhar, Aurelio, Riera, Benayoun, Kyrgiakos.

Man City: Given, Bridge, Zabaleta, Lescott, Toure, Ireland, Wright-Phillips, Barry, de Jong, Adebayor, Bellamy. Subs: Onuoha, Johnson, Taylor, Santa Cruz, Tevez, Kompany, Weiss.

Kick-off at Anfield is 12.45pm. Visit our forums to follow the game with other fans and links to watch the game streaming live.