CARRA SET TO START AT SPURS; Carragher set to start for Reds at Tottenham.

Byline: DON'T MISS A KICK WITH US!,

LIVERPOOL''S centre-back crisis has eased ahead of Sunday''s Premier League opener at Tottenham.

Jamie Carragher is making good progress after twisting his ankle in last Saturday''s 2-1 friendly defeat to Atletico Madrid.

Carragher is expected to play at White Hart Lane and the Reds are confident he will have an experienced defender alongside him.

Martin Skrtel has been out since suffering a hamstring injury in the friendly against Thailand on July 2, while Agger has been hampered by a back problem during pre-season.

However, Rafa Benitez is hopeful either Skrtel or Agger will prove their fitness in time to face Spurs.

Carragher''s injury left Martin Kelly, Daniel Ayala and Mikel San Jose as the Reds'' only fit centre-halves and increased the need to bring in cover.

Benitez was keen on a move for Hull City''s Michael Turner but has been weighing up other options after the Tigers asked pounds 11m.

Meanwhile, Liverpool are hopeful Steven Gerrard will be fit for Spurs.

The skipper did not . travel with the England squad for tonight's international friendly against Holland in Amsterdam due to a tight groin. Gerrard returned to Melwood as a precaution yesterday but intensive treatment should allow him to lead the Reds .

"They're all tough games, but if we could get three points from each of the first three games, then that would be us off to a flier and that will be our intention." Spanish starlet Daniel Pacheco has signed a new deal to keep him at Anfield until 2012. The 18-year-old arrived from Barcelona two years ago and has established himself as a key member of the reserves. The Spanish youth international has yet to make his competitive debut but has been part of Rafa Benitez's first team squad during pre-season.

Pacheco joins fellow rising stars Jay Spearing and Stephen Darby in putting pen to paper but Craig Lindfield's Liverpool career is over, The 20-year-old striker, who spent last season on loan at Accrington Stanley, has had his contract terminated by mutual consent.

CAPTION(S):

TREATMENT: Jamie Carragher should be fit IMPROVING: Marouane Fellaini