Liverpool expect to have Dietmar Hamann available to face his former club Newcastle at Anfield.
Hamann, who is about to trigger a clause in his contract that gives him another year at Anfield because of the amount of games he has played this season, missed the World Club Championship games in Japan with a knee problem.
But he is responding to treatment and is expected to play in central midfield, with Mohamed Sissoko suspended.
Provisional squad: Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise, Warnock, Traore, Luis Garcia, Xabi Alonso, Gerrard, Hamann, Kewell, Cisse, Morientes, Crouch, Josemi, Sinama-Pongolle, Carson.
Newcastle striker Michael Owen will make his first return to Liverpool since leaving for Real Madrid.
The 26-year-old, who has scored seven times in eight starts for his new club, is among a squad of 21 which has been boosted by the return of five men from injury, although Scott Parker will be missing through suspension.
Stephen Carr (hernia), Celestine Babayaro (groin), Steven Taylor (shoulder), Emre (hamstring) and Charles N'Zogbia (broken hand) are all back in contention, although Kieron Dyer and Craig Moore (both hamstring) remain on the sidelines.
Provisional squad: Given, Harper, Carr, Ramage, Babayaro, Elliott, Boumsong, Bramble, Taylor, Faye, Emre, Solano, Luque, Ameobi, Bowyer, N'Zogbia, Clark, Brittain, Shearer, Owen, Chopra.
