Danish defender Daniel Agger is the only certain absentee facing Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez for Monday's home game with Aston Villa.

Agger suffered a recurrence of his metatarsal injury last weekend and could be out for a month.

But Fabio Aurelio has recovered from a hamstring problem and came off the bench in the 5-0 FA Cup win over Luton on Tuesday.

Benitez left Steve Finnan and Javier Mascherano out of that squad, and both could be involved against the Midlanders. Slovakian new boy Martin Skrtel could also get his first call-up to the squad.

Aston Villa goalkeeper Stuart Taylor is poised to make only his third Premier League start of the campaign.

The former Arsenal player will take the place of on loan Liverpool keeper Scott Carson who is ineligible to face the Reds as part of the season long deal.

Skipper Gareth Barry, an ever-present this season, is an injury doubt after suffering a bruised pelvis in training. But defender Olof Mellberg is fit to return after missing the 3-1 home win over Reading through sickness.