Agger has been on the sidelines since September 21st after picking up an odd injury in the gym. Despite returning to fitness, he’s been kept out of the side by new signings Mamadou Sakho and Kolo Toure with the pair of centre backs operating beside a resurgent Martin Skrtel in a 3-man backline. Today, Brendan Rodgers has switched to four at the back with Skrtel partnering Agger in the middle of the park and Aly Cissokho and Glen Johnson operating on the flanks ahead of Simon Mignolet in the net. Johnson missed the loss at Arsenal last weekend with a localized jaw-infection, but was given the all clear earlier in the week after the problem cleared up.
Farther up the pitch, Steven Gerrard shook off a hip-injury picked up in the closing minutes of the 2-0 loss to start today alongside Lucas and Jordan Henderson — who will be returning to the England squad for their upcoming Wembley friendlies the first time since the semi-finals of Euro-2012. Philippe Coutinho will also be making his first start since picking up a shoulder injury against Swansea and will operate in a three man forward line alongside Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez.
Brad Jones, Jose Enrique, Luis Alberto, Victor Moses, Mamadou Sakho, Joe Allen and Raheem Sterling make up the Reds bench.
On the other side of the pitch it’s going to be Maarten Stekelenburg in the Cottagers net, Elsad Zverotic, Philippe Senderos, Fernando Amorebieta and Kieran Richardson at the back with Ashkan Dejagah, Steve Sidwell, Scott Parker and Alexander Kacaniklic making up the midfield. Patjim Kasami and former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov start up front.
On the bench, Martin Jol has ‘keeper David Stockdale, Aaron Hughes, Derek Boateng, Giorgos Karagounis, Adel Taarabt, Bryan Ruiz and Darren Bent to call on.
Be sure to pop by after the match for a full review and other assorted goodies.
