English League Cup Quarter-final/Liverpool v Arsenal:Rafael Benitez has admitted he may have to scrap his initial plan to rest key personnel for tonight's English League Cup quarter-final against Arsenal, with Liverpool's hopes of claiming domestic silverware this season effectively hinging upon progress in the competition.

The likes of Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher have been included in the squad for the fixture at Anfield, which was postponed last month because of fog, because the manager is aware that the League Cup now represents his most viable route to a trophy this term. Liverpool are 14 points adrift of Manchester United in the Premiership, were eliminated from the FA Cup by Arsenal on Saturday and face a daunting tie against Barcelona in the knockout phase of the Champions League next month.

"I have an idea about the next game and the players that we could use," Benitez said. "We could say 'We can rest Gerrard' or 'We can rest Xabi Alonso', but maybe we have to have other possibilities.

"We also have to think about the Premier League and the Champions League, but it's important to stay in this competition too. In some positions we can maybe use other players, but the problems are always at right-back or in central midfield."

The Spaniard considers his squad to be thin in those areas, hence his pursuit of Lucas Neill and Javier Mascherano in the transfer window. He will include Jerzy Dudek in the starting line-up tonight, honouring his promise to play the Pole in cup games this season, but Liverpool will attempt to avenge Saturday's 3-1 defeat to Arsenal with what is in effect an experienced first-choice team.

Benitez remains painfully aware of the problems he has had against Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United since taking the reins at Anfield, with his record against the trio - six wins, including a Community Shield, and 14 defeats in their 24 meetings - an indication of the toils endured.

"Against those big teams we aren't performing or getting the results we might have expected," said Alonso. "That's something that worries us. In the Premiership they all still have to come to Anfield and we have to show we can get results against them.

"But the defeat to Arsenal on Saturday makes us more determined to beat them this time around. It is a good game for us to have so quickly. We now have a quick chance to make amends."

That was also the view of Liverpool's Dutch striker Dirk Kuyt, who insisted the team were not deflated by their FA Cup exit and were keen to make amends.

"We deserved more than we got on Saturday, but Arsenal are one of the better teams in the Premier League so we already know it will be tough second time around. Let's hope the defeat we suffered is an incentive and we can win tomorrow, because we want to win trophies. I hope that first defeat gives us an extra boost.

"Liverpool still have three trophies to go for. For us now it is a question of going on in the Premier League, Champions League and League Cup. As players you always want to win trophies. We have lost one, but there are a few more trophies to fight for and this is one of them."

Kuyt, who took his tally to eight for the season with his header in Saturday's defeat, reflected Liverpool's frustration at being beaten on the counter-attack by Arsenal.

"They made three chances and got three goals. That is the big difference between us and them. They have very fast players up front so it is difficult when they score the first goal."

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger welcomes back Abou Diaby for their return to Anfield and points to his recovery as another reason why he will not be dabbling in the transfer window.

The French midfielder has not played since suffering a fractured and dislocated ankle at Sunderland last May, but is in contention for a welcome return at Anfield.

Wenger said: "We have Diaby in the squad for the first time and Emmanuel Adebayor is very strongly coming back. Blackburn is possible for him.

"Lauren is not in the squad for Liverpool, he has a small toe injury. William Gallas will not play either.

"But basically the only real injury is (Fredrik) Ljungberg, he needs one more week after Blackburn.

"That is why I said for a long time that I won't buy anyone (in the transfer window). I knew I had enough players when they came back from injury."

Guardian Service