Premier League team news: Middlesbrough v Liverpool

Alvaro Negredo could feature. Credit: PA

Middlesbrough striker Alvaro Negredo is in contention to face Liverpool but playmaker Gaston Ramirez is out.

Both sat out the defeat by Southampton but while Negredo has recovered well from a hamstring niggle, Ramirez's foot problem has kept him out of training this week.

Left-back George Friend is nearing a return from knee trouble but may be held back as a precaution.

Liverpool midfielder Emre Can remains a doubt for the trip to Middlesbrough after missing Sunday's draw with West Ham because of a minor knee injury.

Centre-back Dejan Lovren came off with cramp at half-time in that match and will have to be assessed before the game at the Riverside.

Midfielder Marko Grujic is sidelined with a tendon injury while striker Daniel Sturridge will not be considered but could return to the squad for Monday's Merseyside derby at Goodison Park if his return from a calf problem remains on schedule.

Provisional squads

Middlesbrough: Valdes, Guzan, Chambers, Friend, Fabio, Barragan, Nsue, Gibson, Espinosa, De Roon, Clayton, Forshaw, Downing, Stuani, Fischer, De Sart, Traore, Negredo, Nugent, Rhodes, Leadbitter, Ayala.

Liverpool: Karius, Clyne, Matip, Klavan, Milner, Lallana, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Mane, Origi, Firmino, Mignolet, Alexander-Arnold, Moreno, Lucas, Stewart, Ejaria, Woodburn.