Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez will be without star striker Fernando Torres as his side host West Ham.
The Spain international has been ruled out for up to three weeks with a hamstring problem, while defender Fabio Aurelio has a calf injury and will also be ruled out.
Robbie Keane and Andrea Dossena are expected to come into the side.
With Liverpool already qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League, Benitez now wants his side to concentrate hard on cementing their position in the race for the Barclays Premier League title.
He said: "We have qualified for the next stage in Europe, now we have three months to concentrate on the league. We have only lost once in the Premier League this season and we must make sure we continue that level of form.''
Benitez, believed to be close to a new deal at the club after further talks in recent days between the manager's agent and club owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, knows a run of indifferent Liverpool performances must come to an end.
A poor display in their last home league game allowed Fulham to claim a 0-0 draw, and the midweek victory over Marseille in Europe was hardly convincing.
Now Liverpool have a run of nine league games before title rivals Chelsea visit Anfield on February 1, in which they should only be troubled when they travel to Arsenal this month and face Everton at home on January 19.
The rest of that run, starting with the Hammers, includes matches with Blackburn, Hull, Bolton, Newcastle, Stoke and Wigan.
If Liverpool are to be considered genuine contenders, there can be no slip-ups in such matches.
Full-back Alvaro Arbeloa underlines the desire not to allow supposed lesser sides to get anything at Anfield, as Stoke did with a 0-0 draw back in September before Fulham achieved the same result a week ago.
Arbeloa said: "We know we have to improve at Anfield in the league. The draw with Fulham was very frustrating, and we did the same against Stoke. You must win your home games if you want to win the title.
"We cannot continue to make mistakes at Anfield, we must find a solution to the way teams come to defend here.
"We lost two points against Fulham in our last home league game, which annoyed us. So we know we must put that right as soon as possible.''
Hammers manager Gianfranco Zola has a full squad at his disposal for the clash at AnfieldMidfielder Scott Parker had missed some training because of illness but will be fit to start while Craig Bellamy should lead the attack against his former club and Valon Behrami, who scored the winner against Sunderland, will retain his place in midfield.
And ahead of the clash Zola has tipped Liverpool to be strong challengers for the Premier League title this season although he believes it may be a good time to face the Reds.
"I don't think Liverpool are having their best moment,'' said the former Chelsea striker.
"But we are focused and we know we cannot afford any mistakes. We know a lot about them, we've seen them a lot. And I think we have prepared as well as we can so we'll see what happens.
"It could be a good year for them. They've already won two big games (against Chelsea and Manchester United) and that is important. It makes a big, big difference in your confidence. This year I've noticed they're playing better football so they're a team to watch.''
Asked if Liverpool can win the title, Zola replied: "I think they've got a very good chance.''
He added: "I think my team is coming into this match at the best time because we're going into it off two good results,'' said Zola.
"I feel very charged. It is one of those games where if you get something positive out of it it's very important for your team.
"I like to face these kind of challenges. It can be hard but the reward you can get from games like this can be huge.''
The Spain international has been ruled out for up to three weeks with a hamstring problem, while defender Fabio Aurelio has a calf injury and will also be ruled out.
Robbie Keane and Andrea Dossena are expected to come into the side.
With Liverpool already qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League, Benitez now wants his side to concentrate hard on cementing their position in the race for the Barclays Premier League title.
He said: "We have qualified for the next stage in Europe, now we have three months to concentrate on the league. We have only lost once in the Premier League this season and we must make sure we continue that level of form.''
Benitez, believed to be close to a new deal at the club after further talks in recent days between the manager's agent and club owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, knows a run of indifferent Liverpool performances must come to an end.
A poor display in their last home league game allowed Fulham to claim a 0-0 draw, and the midweek victory over Marseille in Europe was hardly convincing.
Now Liverpool have a run of nine league games before title rivals Chelsea visit Anfield on February 1, in which they should only be troubled when they travel to Arsenal this month and face Everton at home on January 19.
The rest of that run, starting with the Hammers, includes matches with Blackburn, Hull, Bolton, Newcastle, Stoke and Wigan.
If Liverpool are to be considered genuine contenders, there can be no slip-ups in such matches.
Full-back Alvaro Arbeloa underlines the desire not to allow supposed lesser sides to get anything at Anfield, as Stoke did with a 0-0 draw back in September before Fulham achieved the same result a week ago.
Arbeloa said: "We know we have to improve at Anfield in the league. The draw with Fulham was very frustrating, and we did the same against Stoke. You must win your home games if you want to win the title.
"We cannot continue to make mistakes at Anfield, we must find a solution to the way teams come to defend here.
"We lost two points against Fulham in our last home league game, which annoyed us. So we know we must put that right as soon as possible.''
Hammers manager Gianfranco Zola has a full squad at his disposal for the clash at AnfieldMidfielder Scott Parker had missed some training because of illness but will be fit to start while Craig Bellamy should lead the attack against his former club and Valon Behrami, who scored the winner against Sunderland, will retain his place in midfield.
And ahead of the clash Zola has tipped Liverpool to be strong challengers for the Premier League title this season although he believes it may be a good time to face the Reds.
"I don't think Liverpool are having their best moment,'' said the former Chelsea striker.
"But we are focused and we know we cannot afford any mistakes. We know a lot about them, we've seen them a lot. And I think we have prepared as well as we can so we'll see what happens.
"It could be a good year for them. They've already won two big games (against Chelsea and Manchester United) and that is important. It makes a big, big difference in your confidence. This year I've noticed they're playing better football so they're a team to watch.''
Asked if Liverpool can win the title, Zola replied: "I think they've got a very good chance.''
He added: "I think my team is coming into this match at the best time because we're going into it off two good results,'' said Zola.
"I feel very charged. It is one of those games where if you get something positive out of it it's very important for your team.
"I like to face these kind of challenges. It can be hard but the reward you can get from games like this can be huge.''
