Steve Bruce's hopes of a Hull City shutout at the KC Stadium are hampered by further disruption to his defence.
Ever-present skipper Curtis Davies is expected to play despite a knock to the shin but he is set for another new defensive partner after Paul McShane was ruled out with a hamstring tear.
James Chester started the season alongside him before a serious hamstring problem of his own, with Abdoulaye Faye, McShane and even left-back Maynor Figueroa joining Davies in the heart of defence since then.
Alex Bruce, the manager's son, looks likely to come in against Liverpool, having started his only league game of the season at Tottenham on October 27.
"It's not ideal but it's part and parcel of it. You need a bit of luck in that department and we haven't had it," said Bruce.
"McShane is out, Curtis Davies has got a knock too. We've got to make changes and whoever we bring in will have to defend well.
"Davies got a knock on the shin, which was pretty nasty, but we expect him to be okay."
