Preview: Liverpool vs. Middlesbrough

Stuttering Liverpool can take their mind off the Premier League when they host Middlesbrough in the third round of the Capital One Cup on Tuesday.

Brendan Rodgers's side have lost their last two games in the league to slump into the bottom half and plenty of changes are expected for tomorrow's game at Anfield.

Summer signing Rickie Lambert is set for his first start since joining his boyhood club from Southampton and should replace Mario Balotelli in attack.

Rodgers will want an improved performance from his side ahead of this weekend's Merseyside derby against Everton after they suffered a 3-1 defeat at West Ham United on Saturday.

Boro, meanwhile, are in good form with three straight wins in the Championship that have seen them climb up into the second tier's top six.

On Saturday they convincingly beat Brentford 4-0 at home and Aitor Karanka could go with a similar XI to the one that turned out at the Riverside.

Dean Whitehead won't be available, though, after he was sent off late on against the Bees. Adam Clayton could take his place in midfield.

The last time these two sides met was in the Premier League five and a half years ago, when a Xabi Alonso own goal and strike from Tuncay Sanli gave Boro a 2-0 win.

Recent form

Liverpool: LWLWLW

Middlesbrough: WWWLWL

Possible starting lineups

Liverpool: Jones; Manquillo, Skrtel, Toure, Enrique; Lucas, Henderson; Lallana, Coutinho, Borini; Lambert

Middlesbrough: Konstantopoulos; Fredericks, Omeruo, Gibson, Friend; Reach, Clayton, Leadbitter, Adomah; Bamford; Kike

Sports Mole says: 3-1