Liverpool have serious problems in defence ahead of their Premier League clash with Middlesbrough at Anfield on Saturday.Jamie Carragher is ruled out due to a one-match suspension, while new signing Martin Skrtel is unlikely to have recovered from an ankle injury.

Danish defender Daniel Agger has finally been given the go-ahead to start playing again after a lengthy metatarsal injury, but he is not ready for a senior return just yet.

It means that Sami Hyypia is the only fit central defender, and that could see full-back Alvaro Arbeloa pressed into action alongside the veteran Finn.

Liverpool (from): Reina, Finnan, Arbeloa, Hyypia, Riise, Aurelio, Pennant, Gerrard, Mascherano, Lucas, Babel, Benayoun, Kewell, Crouch, Torres, Kuyt, Alonso, Itandje.

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