Kolo Toure has failed to get fit in time for this afternoon's Premier League showdown against Manchester United at Anfield.

The Ivorian defender, who has made a strong start to his career as a Red, was taken off because of a groin injury he suffered in Tuesday's League Cup match against Notts County and has failed to recover in time.

Martin Skrtel takes his place in Brendan Rodgers's backline in the hosts' only change from last week's win at Aston Villa.

For the visitors, Ryan Giggs comes in for the missing Wayne Rooney, who suffered a head injury in training yesterday, while Ashley Young takes the place of Antonio Valencia.

Liverpool: Mignolet; Johnson, Agger, Skrtel, Enrique; Lucas, Henderson, Gerrard; Coutinho, Aspas; Sturridge

Man United: De Gea; Jones, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Young, Cleverley, Carrick, Giggs; Welbeck, Van Persie