Bolton will be without suspended left back Paul Robinson, and could travel to Anfield with a squad of just 15.
Stuart Holden (thigh) and Gretar Steinsson (knee) are doubts, while Chung-Yong Lee is on Asian Cup duty.
Liverpool
Doubtful: Cole (ankle), Gerrard (fatigue)
Injured: Carragher (shoulder), Spearing (ankle)
Bolton
Suspended: Paul Robinson (one match)
Doubtful: Holden (thigh), Steinsson (knee)
Injured/unavailable: Chung-Yong Lee (international duty), Cohen (compassionate leave), Davis & J O'Brien (both knee), Gardner (thigh), Samuel (calf)
MATCH PREVIEW
As Anfield prepares to welcome in the new year to the strains of 'You'll Never Walk Alone', Roy Hodgson has probably never felt so lonely.
It's been an uphill struggle and I was not the first choice appointment with a lot of fans. But if I have offended them in any way I deeply regret that. All I can do is apologise and make it perfectly clear there was nothing offensive in my comments
Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson
Never the fans' choice to replace Rafa Benitez, Hodgson's popularity at Liverpool is at rock bottom, with speculation mounting that his days on Merseyside are numbered.
Wednesday's shock home defeat to Wolves was the nadir in a miserable season, and the Reds go into the new year on their lowest points tally since the 1953/54 season, which ended in relegation.
The fans have made their views clear, with ironic chants of 'Hodgson for England' and calls for the return of Kop legend Kenny Dalglish ringing out around Anfield during the Wolves defeat, prompting Hodgson to complain he had never had the "famous Anfield support" in his six months in charge. The 63-year-old was forced to apologise for the ill-judged comments, but the damage has been done.
Newspaper reports suggest Hodgson has two weeks to save his job, starting with Saturday's visit of high-flying Bolton, who arrive on Merseyside looking for a first league victory at Anfield since 1954.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• Liverpool have won their last eight Premier League matches against Bolton.
• Wanderers have failed to score in six of those eight defeats.
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Liverpool
• Liverpool are only five points down on this stage last season, when they went on to finish seventh.
• The Reds are hoping to avoid a third consecutive league defeat for the first time since October 2003.
• They have only conceded a total of one goal in their last four league matches at Anfield.
• Liverpool have only taken seven points from seven north west derbies this season.
Bolton
• Bolton have not lost back-to-back league matches this season.
• But they have lost their last three league games on the road, each by a score of 1-0.
• According to Opta Stats, Bolton have made 530 tackles this season, 49 more than any other side in the Premier League.
• Matt Taylor will be hoping to make his 100th start for the club.
LEADING GOALSCORERS
Liverpool
Ngog: 8 goals (2 league); Gerrard: 7 goals (3 league)
Bolton
Elmander: 9 goals (9 league); K Davies: 6 goals (6 league)
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Kevin Friend
Assistant referees: Patrick Keane & Andy Halliday
Fourth official: Phil Dowd
LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS
Liverpool (L0-1 v Wolves, h): Reina, Johnson, Kyrgiakos, Skrtel, Konchesky (Aurelio 73), Kuyt, Gerrard, Lucas, Meireles (Cole 73), Torres, Ngog (Babel 62). Subs not used: Jones, Agger, Maxi, Poulsen.
Bolton (L0-1 v Chelsea, a): Jaaskelainen, Ricketts, Cahill, Knight, Robinson, Moreno (Klasnic 72), Holden (Mark Davies 82), Muamba, Taylor (Petrov 78), Kevin Davies, Elmander. Subs not used: Bogdan, Blake, Alonso.
Source: BBC Sport
Source: BBC Sport