Reds to blood Hobbs

Teenager Jack Hobbs is set to make his Liverpool debut in the Carling Cup third-round match at Reading.

The 19-year-old, signed from Lincoln little more than a year ago, is expected to play in central defence - possibly alongside Jamie Carragher.

And Carragher said: "Jack has done very well and we have been impressed with him in training. He came in from Lincoln and was a massive part of us winning the Youth Cup two years on the trot."

He added: "Now he is captain of the reserves and he deserves his chance. That is what the club is about, giving young lads the chance to play alongside our foreign players.

"People sometimes complain about the amount of foreign players coming in, so it is good that a good English lad can get the chance to show what he can do.

"He deserves his chance, but that is up to the manager. Someone will be asked to play alongside him, but the lad might end up helping one of us through the game.

"Everyone needs help, no matter who they are. If he gets his chance, I am sure he will grab it and do well."