Liverpool will be without suspended full-back Djimi Traore when Sheffield United visit Anfield for what could be an explosive second leg of the Worthington Cup semi-final. Manager Gerard Houllier will have Senegal midfielder Salif Diao available though after a one-match suspension as they attempt to overturn a 2-1 first-leg deficit.
Houllier's only other problem is the continued absence of midfielder Dietmar Hamann with a shin problem.
John Arne Riise is likely to revert to full-back in Traore's absence, with Diao returning in midfield to a side unlikely to be changed much from the one that beat Southampton 1-0 on Saturday.
Ahead of what is likely to be heated encounter Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock insists his players have cleaned up their act this season compared to last, amid allegations of heavy handed tactics in the first leg from the Liverpool camp.
In 34 league and cup games this campaign, United have been shown just two red cards and 44 yellow, much to the delight of the FA. "I know Michael Brown's tackle on Chris Kirkland has been brought up quite a lot," said Warnock, whose side face Liverpool on the back of an unbeaten 15-game run.
"But I do think some people forget that our disciplinary record this season has been almost flawless and that we have, I think, been second in the Fair Play League. Only last week we received a letter from the FA disciplinary committee complimenting us on our improvement this season."
Filed by Johnn
