Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier usually bucks the Premiership trend by fielding strong sides in the Carling Cup, and it is unlikely he will make many changes for the home tie with Bolton.
The holders could well field the same side that beat Birmingham in the league on Sunday, with Michael Owen, Stephane Henchoz, Steve Finnan, Milan Baros and Jamie Carragher all still injured.
He could recall keeper Jerzy Dudek for the match in place of Chris Kirkland and may give French teenager Anthony Le Tallec a run against the Reebok side, while Bruno Cheyrou could make it on to the bench after a long spell out with a back injury.
Liverpool provisional squad: Kirkland, Diao, Biscan, Hyypia, Riise, Traore, Diouf, Hamann, Murphy, Gerrard, Kewell, Sinama-Pongolle, Heskey, Dudek, Le Tallec, Smicer, Cheyrou, Otsemobor.