TEAM NEWS: Andy Carroll absent for Liverpool as youngsters Robinson & Flanagan start against Birmingham

Andy Carroll, Liverpool

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Andy Carroll has failed to recover from a knee injury picked up in last week’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal and is one of only two changes made by manager Kenny Dalglish for today’s game against Birmingham.

Teenager Jack Robinson, who came on for the injured Fabio Aurelio in the same match, and impressed spectators with his mature handling of Theo Walcott, comes in for his first start.

There is better news for Liverpool, with Jamie Carrager recovering from concussion to take his place in an inexperienced defence.

Birmingham also make two changes from their midweek 3-1 defeat at Chelsea.

In central defence, Martin Jiranek comes in for Stuart Parnaby after completing a three-match ban, and Lee Bowyer takes the place of Barry Ferguson, who hasn’t made the bench.

The Blues, like their opponents, have been on a good run of form lately despite their setback at Stamford Bridge and will be looking for more points to try and push themselves away from the relegation zone.

Liverpool: Reina; Flanagan, Skrtel, Carragher, Robinson; Maxi, Lucas, Spearing, Meireles; Kuyt, Suarez.

Subs: Gulacsi, Cole, Kyrgiakos, Ngog, Poulsen, Shelvey, Coady.

Birmingham: Foster; Carr, Johnson, Jiranek, Ridgewell; Larsson, Gardner, Bowyer, Fahey; Hleb; Jerome

Subs: Phillips, Bentley, Doyle, Derbyshire, Parnaby, Beasusejour, Davies