Barnsley travel to Anfield on Saturday hoping to cause an upset against Liverpool in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
Tykes travel to Anfield in search of an upset
Barnsley travel to Anfield on Saturday hoping to cause an upset against Liverpool in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
The Tykes currently sit 14th in the Championship but they will be well aware that the Reds are far from invincible at home this season, following six Premier League draws and one defeat, and Simon Davey's side have an eye on a quarter-final place.
Liverpool, though, will be keen to avoid a repeat of what could have been a humiliating upset in the last round as they were twice forced to come from behind to record a victory against non-league Havant & Waterlooville.
Under-pressure Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez will also be well aware that he is fighting for survival at Anfield and that, with only the FA Cup and UEFA Champions League left as realistic targets this season, every piece of silverware will count come May.
Torres return
Benitez learned the hard way that it is unwise to test the magic of the FA Cup as he fielded a second string side against Burnley in his debut season in 2005 and was promptly dumped out in the third round at Turf Moor.
And the Spaniard is therefore unlikely to tinker too drastically with his strongest line-up, despite Tuesday's Champions League clash with Internazionale waiting in the wings.
Benitez is considering whether to field Fernando Torres, who has returned to training following a hamstring injury, but the Spanish striker may be rested for European exploits.
January signing Martin Skrtel is a doubt after the defender sustained a calf strain in training and Benitez could be forced to rush Sami Hyypia back from injury.
Macken cup-tied
Full-backs Alvaro Arbeloa and Fabio Aurelio face fitness tests on Friday, but Liverpool will definitely be without Daniel Agger as the Danish international continues his lengthy recovery from a fractured foot.
Meanwhile, Davey is expected to name striker Istvan Ferenczi and defender Bobby Hassell in his first XI due to the absence of cup-tied duo Jon Macken and Lewin Nyatanga.
Hassell is ready to fill in at right-back, as Stephen Foster moves to centre-half to cover Nyatanga.
Goalkeeper Luke Steele - who recently signed on loan for a month from West Brom - will make his debut in place of Tony Warner, who is also cup-tied.
