ROBBIE FOWLER could be the biggest beneficiary of the pre-derby international break.
The Euro 2008 qualifiers have wreaked havoc with Rafa Benitez's plans, as just two of the players who started the victory over West Ham have remained at Melwood for the last fortnight.
In recent years, Benitez has tended to play as few of the players who've been involved in internationals as possible the following weekend.
And while the peculiarities of a derby will influence such a decision, the fact Fowler is the only one of the four strikers who's been able to work with the coaches in the last two weeks will help his cause.
Naturally, the 31-year-old will be desperate to feature in his first derby since making an emotional return to Anfield last January.
Fowler last played in the fixture in April 2001, the famous game in which Gary McAllister scored a last minute free-kick from 35 yards to give Liverpool a 3-2 victory.
The Reds striker will have mixed memories of that clash, as he also missed a penalty.
But over the course of his first spell at Anfield he was a nemesis to the Blues, scoring six times in 15 appearances.
Fowler was unable to figure in the last meeting with David Moyes' men, when he was a substitute, because of Steven Gerrard's 18th minute dismissal.
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