Skrtel close to debut

Rafael Benitez is considering playing his new £6.5m centre back against Aston Villa on Monday night or against Havant & Waterlooville in the FA Cup next Saturday.

"I am really pleased with him and am thinking about using him now. He can be available against Villa, in the cup or maybe in the reserve game [against Wigan on Tuesday]," said the Reds boss.

"He is one of the options for Monday."