Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish is ready to promote from within to cover the loss of knee injury victim Lucas Leiva.

Dalglish reacted to the news of Lucas' injury by recalling Jonjo Shelvey from his loan spell at Blackpool a month early.

Jay Spearing is first in the queue to get more first-team starts after playing a part in Tuesday's quarter-final victory over Chelsea - which set up a two-legged semi-final against Manchester City in the New Year.

And Jordan Henderson - who has spent much of his time on the flank since his £20m summer switch from Sunderland - could be moved into his more favoured central role.

But the ideal scenario for Dalglish would be a swift return for Steven Gerrard, who has seen his season wrecked by injury so far.