With Torres, Gerrard, Benayoun and Johnson all sidelined, it was never going to be an inspirational team that lined up for Liverpool today at Stoke.
Rafa Benitez has named 6 defenders in the line-up, although Daniel Agger is not included and presumably injured.
It may be that Jamie Carragher moves to right back and Philipp Degen right midfield, or that the Reds play with three centre backs and Degen and Insua as wing backs.
David Ngog and Dirk Kuyt lead the line as the only attacking players in the starting 11.
New signing Maxi Rodriguez is on the bench, along with Alberto Aquilani.
Liverpool: Reina, Degen, Skrtel, Carragher, Kyrgiakos, Insua, Mascherano, Lucas, Aurelio, Kuyt, Ngog
Subs: Cavalieri, Darby, Aquilani, Riera, Maxi, Spearing, Pacheco
Stoke: Sorensen, Higgingbotham, Huth, Shawcross, Faye, Diao, Whitehead, Sanli, Delap, Etherington, Sidibe
Subs: Simonsen, Collins, Whelan, Wilkinson, Lawrence, Pugh, Fuller
Referee: Lee Mason
Kick of is 12:45pm, live on Sky Sports (UK).
