Albion have opted not to risk Lewis Dunk as they take on Liverpool tonight.

The impressive young defender, one booking away from a ban, is replaced by Steve Cook in central defence for the eagerly-awaited third round tie.

Romain Vincelot rather than Mauricio Taricco stands in for banned Marcos Painter at left-back.

Liverpool have Steven Gerrard on the bench but he is expected to feature at some stage.

Albion boss Gus Poyet has selected his side with one eye on a more important fixture - at home to Leeds in the Championship on Friday.

The hosts look set to go 4-5-1, or 4-3-3, tonight with widemen Craig Noone and Will Buckley both starting in support of Craig Mackail-Smith.

Liverpool have a strong side spearheaded by Luis Suarez and Craig Bellamy with Dirk Kuyt and Maxi Rodriguez in support.

Uruguayan international Sebastian Coates makes his debut in defence alongside former England international Jamie Carragher, the Reds' skipper.

Albion: Ankergen; Calderon, Greer, Cook, Vincelot; Buckley, Bridcutt, Navarro, Sparrow, Noone; Mackail-Smith. Subs: Brezovan, Dunk, Barnes, Vicente, LuaLua, Taricco, Kasim.

Liverpool: Reina; Kelly, Carragher, Coates, Robinson; Rodriguez, Lucas, Spearing, Kuyt; Suarez, Bellamy. Subs: Doni, Gerrard, Carroll, Flanagan, Wilson, Downing, Shelvey.

Ref: Michael Oliver