TEAM NEWS

Daniel Sturridge's thigh injury will be assessed over the weekend to determine whether the Liverpool forward is fit enough to face West Brom on Monday.

Raheem Sterling is fit, and new signing Philippe Coutinho awaits his debut.

West Brom defender Goran Popov begins a three-match ban for spitting at Tottenham's Kyle Walker.

Youssouf Mulumbu could return from a knee problem, while Peter Odemwingie is available after being disciplined for attempting to force a move to QPR.

MATCH PREVIEW

The focus of this fixture is likely to be on two individuals rather than their respective teams.

While Liverpool's living legend Jamie Carragher is assured of a rapturous reception four days after announcing his impending retirement, the same cannot be said of West Brom forward Peter Odemwingie.

The Nigeria international is available for this match, having been disciplined by Albion for a series of Twitter attacks against the club and his attempt to force a move to QPR.

LAWRO'S PREDICTION

"Liverpool were impressive in their draw with Manchester City in their last outing and, if it is possible, my appreciation of Luis Suarez has increased even more since Daniel Sturridge arrived because he has been able to adapt his position."

It's difficult to imagine Carragher doing anything similar - a one-club man, he has been in the Liverpool first team for 16 years.

Current Reds manager Brendan Rodgers said: "He is a real iconic player for this club and, for me, one which will be irreplaceable. He has been a giant for me since I came in here, an incredible man, he is one of a dying breed.

"He is someone who has good real old school values and ethics but, as you can see from his last two performances, he still has the qualities to play at this level."

West Brom head coach Steve Clarke returns to Anfield for the first time since his 18-month spell as assistant manager ended last June. He also knows Rodgers from their time together in Chelsea's coaching set-up, but all the questions before this game have been about Odemwingie.

Clarke said: "I'll involve him when I feel it is right to involve him. Will Odemwingie's return have a destabilising effect? No it won't. I'm convinced of that.

"I don't think you can say everything is back to normal because what happened, the whole episode, is something that didn't need to happen.

"I think it is important you try and keep your squad together. That's what I've tried to do."

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

  • West Brom are attempting to beat Liverpool home and away in the same season for the first time since 1966-67.
  • The Baggies recorded their first win at Anfield since 1967 last April, with Peter Odemwingie scoring the only goal. Liverpool have not suffered consecutive defeats at home to West Brom since 1936-37.

Liverpool

  • The Reds have won their last three league games at Anfield without conceding a goal. It's their longest winning streak at home since a four-match run from March to May 2011.
  • They have yet to win a league game this season in which they conceded the opening goal (D4, L5).
  • Each of Liverpool's last 10 league games has produced at least three goals in total.
  • They have kept nine clean sheets this season - only Manchester City (11) had more prior to the latest round of fixtures.
  • Luis Suarez has scored in each of the club's last three league games at Anfield, and has 17 Premier League goals in total this season.
  • Daniel Sturridge has scored three goals in four league appearances for Liverpool. The fastest any Liverpool player has reached five Premier League goals for the club is eight matches - set by Robbie Fowler in 1993.
  • Lucas is set to play his 200th Liverpool game, while Glen Johnson is expected to make his 100th league appearance for the club.

West Brom

  • Albion are winless in their last six league matches, losing five of them. They have never gone seven Premier League games without a win.
  • They have failed to win any of their last 18 top-flight away matches on a Monday, stretching back 44 years since a 1-0 victory at Sunderland on 10 March 1969.
  • West Brom and Reading are the only two Premier League clubs yet to keep an away clean sheet this season.
  • Steve Clarke's side recorded four clean sheets in their opening 10 league games, but have managed only one in the subsequent 15 matches.