Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Match Preview: Liverpool vs Northampton Town

Goalkeeper Brad Jones could make his Liverpool debut against Northampton in the third round of the Carling Cup at Anfield.

The Australia international has sat on the bench for four matches since his late-August move from Middlesbrough to become Jose Reina's deputy but he is set to be given an outing against the League Two side.

Manager Roy Hodgson will make numerous changes with many of his first team stars rested, giving fringe and reserve team players - some of whom featured in the Europa League victory against Steaua Bucharest last week - another chance.

Hodgson has every faith his second-string players will step up to the mark after being handed the responsibility of getting past the Cobblers.

But despite the rotation, which has already been effectively used in the Europa League, the manager insists he is taking the competition seriously.

"It's a strange game for us in a sense,'' he said. "It's one where we definitely need to rotate the squad having played so many games and having to play so many more before the international break.

"But on the other hand it's a competition I take very seriously and I want to have a good run in the competition. We are bothered.

"There's a responsibility on those who replace the big-name players like Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Pepe Reina and Jamie Carragher to name but four.

"And to be fair they've shown themselves capable of taking on that burden in a couple of European matches already.

"As we saw in the last game against Steaua Bucharest, Jay Spearing was arguably one of the best players on the field. If you never give him a chance, how do you know that?''

Northampton boss Ian Sampson is likely to hand centre-back Ben Tozer his debut against Liverpool in the Carling Cup following his arrival from Newcastle on loan.

The 20-year-old should start with Dean Beckwith sidelined due to a thigh strain suffered before the Shrewsbury defeat, while Abdul Osman had to be replaced during the second half with a knee problem.

Tadhg Purcell will be out for most of the season following an operation on his cruciate knee injury while Craig Hinton also remains sidelined with a knee problem.

Midfielder Ryan Gilligan still requires surgery on an ankle problem and despite having been playing through the pain barrier, may be rested with Michael Jacobs a possible replacement.

Marcus Hall will also miss out again with a hamstring injury.

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