Liverpool vs Stoke team news: Jon Flanagan returns for Capital One Cup semi-final, Arnautovic and Krkic start

A look at the players involved in tonight's Capital One Cup semi-final second leg tie at Anfield

A view of the gates outside Anfield (GETTY IMAGES)

Jon Flanagan starts for the first time since May 2014 as Liverpool look to book their place in the Capital One Cup final by getting past Stoke.

The Merseyside club lead Stoke 1-0 from the first leg thanks to Jordan Ibe's goal at the Britannia Stadium.

While Flanagan returns Nathanial Clyne is sidelined due to a knee problem and fellow defender Dejan Lovren remains outside the starting XI, however the latter is on the bench. Loan signing Steven Caulker is cup tied for tonight's match so will play no part.

In form Roberto Firmino leads the line for the home side.

Stoke are without their influential captain Ryan Shawcross but can at least welcome Marko Arnautovic and Bojan Krkic back into the fold. The two forwards start tonight's tie. Meanhwile Xherdan Shaqiri is on the bench.

The winner of the semi-final will play either Everton or Manchester City, with the Toffees leading 2-1 from the first leg.

Jurgen Klopp, who only took over at Anfield four moths ago, said ahead of the match: "I've heard about the special atmosphere at Anfield in semi-finals and I am really looking forward to it. Let's take the whole power of LFC and take it to the final."

LIVERPOOL TEAM: Mignolet, Flanagan, Toure, Sakho, Moreno, Lucas, Can, Henderson, Milner, Lallana, Firmino

Subs: Ward, Lovren, Benteke, Allen, Ibe, Teixeira, Smith.

STOKE TEAM: Butland; Johnson, Wollscheid, Muniesa, Pieters; Whelan, Afellay; Walters, Bojan, Arnautovic; Crouch

Subs: Haugaard; Bardsley, Joselu, Wilson, v.Ginkel, Adam, Shaqiri