Crouch delays operation
Peter Crouch will delay an operation on his nose to make himself available for Liverpool’s crucial matches against Manchester United and Barcelona.
The England striker suffered a broken nose after a clash with Sheffield United’s Rob Hulse at Anfield last Saturday but will be available for selection for the visits of United tomorrow lunchtime and the European Cup holders, in the Champions League last-16 second leg, on Tuesday.
Managers Rafael Benitez rested seven players from the team that won 2-1 in the Nou Camp for last weekend’s victory over the Blades.
However, the big guns are expected to return against the Premiership leaders and Steve Finnan will make his 400th career league appearance if he plays. Jose Reina, Craig Bellamy, Daniel Agger, Mohamed Sissoko, Dirk Kuyt and Xabi Alonso - none of whom was in last weekend’s starting line-up – are expected to return.
Provisional squad: Reina, Finnan, Agger, Carragher, Riise, Gerrard, Alonso, Sissoko, Pennant, Kuyt, Bellamy, Crouch, Gonzalez, Fowler, Hyypia, Dudek, Arbeloa, Zenden, Mascherano.
