Liverpool will be looking to bounce back from a heavy defeat to Tottenham when they take on Championship high-flyers Brighton in the Carling Cup on Wednesday.
The Reds made a bright start to the season but their good early work has been undone to some extent following back-to-back losses against Stoke and Spurs in the Premier League.
Having gone down 4-0 at White Hart Lane on Sunday, Kenny Dalglish will be determined to return to winning ways at the Amex Stadium and make it through to the last 16 of the Carling Cup.
And Dalglish will be boosted by the return of inspirational captain Steven Gerrard, who is poised to make his first appearance in six months following groin surgery.
New signing Sebastian Coates is likely to be given a full debut in central defence while Craig Bellamy could get his first start since returning to the club last month.
Midfielder Charlie Adam and defender Martin Skrtel serve one-match bans after red cards against Tottenham.
Brighton will use the match as an opportunity to further measure their progress, having earned promotion to the Championship at the end of last season and made a fine start to life in the second tier.
Gus Poyet's side were beaten 1-0 by Leicester on Saturday but remain third in the standings and will now hope for a further boost by claiming a famous cup victory.
Poyet has admitted Brighton will need a 'perfect' performance if they are to prevail, but he will be forced into at least one change for the visit of the Reds.
Former Tottenham defender Mauricio Taricco, now Albion's assistant manager, is poised to start at left-back as Marcos Painter is suspended.
Painter was sent off for two yellow cards during Saturday's defeat at Leicester and serves a one-match ban.
Striker Will Hoskins has finally recovered from the hip injury which has sidelined him since the opening day of the season, while former Spain midfielder Vicente has been building up his fitness after joining as a free agent last month and could be added to the squad.
Poyet must also decide whether to risk young defender Lewis Dunk, who is one booking away from a ban.
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