 STEVEN GERRARD will be thrust straight back into action for tonight's Carling Cup tie at Crystal Palace. The Liverpool skipper has been declared fit to start the clash at Selhurst Park having travelled with the squad to London last night. Manager Rafa Benitez will underline the importance of this season's competition by playing a strong line-up. Jamie Carragher is the most high profile absentee in an otherwise powerful starting XI. David Raven and Zak Whitbread are the only reserve play-ers sure of a starting place, while the likes of Bolo Zenden, Peter Crouch and Florent Sinama-Pongolle are recalled. "We need to use the whole of our squad," explained Benitez. "Players like Zak Whitbread and Darren Potter are already part of the senior squad. David Raven has also been included. "I have been talking with Paco Herrera and Hughie McAuley about Raven and they told me he is playing well at right-back. I want to see him now at another level. "We have a lot of confidence in Raven and he plays well every game for the Reserve team. "Steven Gerrard is better now, but we need to rest Jamie Carragher. We have a lot of games so Carra won't be involved this time." Benitez will be expecting a positive response following the defeat to Fulham on Saturday. The Reds reached the final of the Carling Cup last year, and Benitez would like to win the last major domestic final to be held in Cardiff. He added: "All competitions we want to win and we will have a strong team out at Crystal Palace. We had some bad away games last year and we lost at Palace. "As always we go there looking to win the game and get through to the next round." | 
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