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Brendan Rodgers is set to hand a debut to Liverpool teenager Jordan Rossiter in Tuesday night’s Capital One Cup third round tie with Middlesbrough at Anfield.

The highly-rated 17-year-old Academy midfielder, who was an unused substitute on two occasions last season, has been called into the squad for the clash with the Championship outfit.

Rossiter, who captained the Reds’ under-19s in the UEFA Youth League last week, could start with Rodgers’ central midfield options having been severely depleted.

Jordan Henderson (hip) and Philippe Coutinho (groin) are both nursing knocks, while Joe Allen (knee) and Emre Can (ankle) remain sidelined.

Rodgers is likely to rest skipper Steven Gerrard with one eye on Saturday’s Merseyside derby showdown.

“We’ve got a few injuries to cope with but that will give a chance to others,” Rodgers said.

“There will be some young players involved in the squad. Obviously there are a number of young boys who have been up at Melwood training and working with us.

“Like we’ve seen with other young players, the kids need the chance, they need the opportunity. If that comes for one of them on Tuesday night then we hope they can take it.”

There will be a first start for Rickie Lambert, who has made four substitute appearances since his £4million summer move from Southampton.

Jose Enrique, Kolo Toure, Adam Lallana and Lazar Markovic are also in contention. Glen Johnson and Daniel Sturridge, who are on the comeback trail after injuries, won’t be risked.

“Rickie’s been training very well,” Rodgers said. “He played in a lot of the friendly games and got himself to a good level of fitness.

“He has come off the bench and made an impact for us. This is a game he will start.

“He’s a wonderful player, a great technician, who makes it really difficult for defenders.”

Despite ringing the changes, Rodgers insists he will put out a side more than capable of booking Liverpool’s passage to round four.

“It will be a tough game with Middlesbrough coming off the back of a good result (they beat Brentford 4-0),” he said.

“They’ve won four of their last six games and will be confident. It will be a difficult game for us but we will have enough experience on the field and enough quality to hopefully get the result.

“I get excited if there’s the possibility of a young player going to play but I need to map it out.

“We have got a big game at the weekend (Everton) and then a Champions League game (FC Basel) which is important.

"Then another important league game (West Brom) after that before the international break.

“There are four big games coming up but the most important one is the next one. We want to win a trophy this season and this competition gives us the opportunity to do that.”