Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has called on midfielder Jordan Henderson to prove that he is worth a first-team call-up in tonight's League Cup clash with West Bromwich Albion.

The Merseyside club begin the defence of their trophy away to the Baggies and Henderson, who has slipped down the rankings behind Joe Allen and Jonjo Shelvey, is likely to start at The Hawthorns this evening.

"Jordan is working his socks off every day," Rodgers told the club's official website. "He has got a great appetite to learn; he lives his life right and he doesn't do stupid things off the pitch.

"He works hard, he works well. Really it is just games like [tonight] that offer me the opportunity to see him. Can he affect the game going forward but play also with that tactical discipline, which keeps us nice and strong in the middle of midfield?"

West Brom have already secured a victory over Liverpool this season, on the opening day of the Premier League campaign.