A new centre-back has become even more pressing after Carragher handed Liverpool another injury scare at the weekend.

The defender suffered a twisted left ankle early on during the 2-1 friendly defeat at home to Atletico Madrid on Saturday.

With Martin Skrtel struggling with a hamstring injury and Daniel Agger’s back an ongoing concern, Liverpool were without any senior centre-backs for the majority of the game, with Danny Ayala partnered by another young Spaniard, Mikel San Jose, once Carragher hobbled off on 16 minutes.

Atletico won thanks to first-half goals from Kun Aguero and Diego Forlan with Lucas netting a late consolation for Liverpool.

Carragher underwent a scan yesterday with neither the player nor Benitez expecting the damage to be serious.

And Benitez is confident at least two of Skrtel, Agger and Carragher will be available come Sunday’s Premier League opener at Tottenham Hotspur.

“I am 80% sure,” said the manager. “The game against Atletico was very difficult for the young players. We conceded the first goal with 10 men and then they were playing against two strikers who are one of the best partnerships in Spain.

“If you have one or two senior players around them at Spurs, I think it could be different.”

Fernando Torres suffered a slight ankle injury at the weekend, but was substituted only as a precaution.

Both Glen Johnson and Steven Gerrard are in England’s squad for Wednesday’s friendly in Holland, while Martin Kelly has been called up for England’s under-20 game with Montenegro tomorrow night.