Liverpool Preview

Last updated : 02 December 2003 By Mark Heys
Bolton Wanderers take a break from league action as they travel to Anfield on Wednesday night in the Carling Cup to take on the current holders Liverpool.

It is the first time since the Coca Cola Cup Final in 1995 that the two sides have met in this competition, Liverpool won 2-1 that day thanks to a Steve McManaman double with Alan Thompson netting a consolation goal for the Trotters.

Liverpool's thrilling 4-3 match against Blackburn Rovers in the last round and Bolton's 2-0 win over Gillingham has set up the tie which is sure to be played in the same veign as any local derby.

Bolton are expected to make changes for the short visit to Merseyside from the side which beat Everton at the weekend. Kevin Poole could take over from Jussi Jaaskelainen in goal whilst recent injury victims Youri Djorkaeff and Emerson Thome could also start against the Reds. Greek international Stelios Giannakopoulos is a doubt for the Wanderers who are expected to recall Anthony Barness, Henrik Pedersen, Ibrahim Ba and Mario Jardel to the team. Former Lyon defender Florent Laville and Bolton-born Nicky Hunt are out with knee and shoulder injuries respectively.

Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier has a goalkeeping headache and must decide to play either Jerzy Dudek and Chris Kirkland between the sticks. The Reds have a lengthy injury list as Michael Owen, Steve Finnan, Jamie Carragher, Milan Baros and Stephane Henchoz are all injured and will miss the game but French youngsters Anthony Le Tallec and Florent Sinama-Pongolle could be set to start as could Danny Murphy, Jon Otsemobor and Vladimir Smicer.

PLAYED FOR BOTH

PETER BEARDSLEY
DICK EDMED
JOE HEWITT
ROGER HUNT
GEORGE KAY
SAMMY LEE
EPHRAIM LONGWORTH
JASON MCATEER
PHIL NEAL
MARK SEAGRAVES
PETER THOMPSON
JOHN WHEELER