Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has decided to partner Andy Carroll alongside Luis Suarez for this evening's Carling Cup tie at Stoke City.

Brazilian midfielder Lucas makes a return after suspension, but there is no place in the squad for captain Steven Gerrard.

Carroll and Suarez will be up against the hosts' centre-back pairing of Jonathan Woodgate and Ryan Shawcross at the Britannia Stadium.

Stoke: Sorensen; Huth, Shawcross, Woodgate, Wilson; Shotton, Delap, Whelan, Etherington; Jones, Walters

Liverpool: Reina; Kelly, Carragher, Coates, Agger; Spearing, Lucas, Henderson, Maxi; Carroll, Suarez