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Brendan Rodgers insists Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling is not being affected by the debate over his future, despite the youngster spurning several gilt-edged opportunities in the Reds' 3-0 defeat at Manchester United.

"I think Raheem has been brilliant, absolutely outstanding," said the Liverpool manager. "The kid's played in a front role for me at the weekend - a role he has played before as a youngster - but I don't think it is affecting him one bit.

"Okay he maybe could have got a goal or two but he puts defenders on the back foot, he is intelligent in his game, has running ability, and is getting himself into some wonderful positions.

"The kid has been a real catalyst for us in terms of our attacking threat so I don't think there is anything which has affected him.

"He leaves his representatives to work with the club to hopefully organise the deal for him and he has no real influence in that.

"All I ask him to do is concentrate on playing football and the performances will come and he has shown consistently he has been a real threat."

The big news for Sterling tonight is that he's shaved his head. He means business.

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is unable to call on the services of in-form striker Papiss Cisse, who was struggling to overcome a virus.

The Senegal international, who has scored three goals in his last three games, is replaced by French striker Emmanuel Riviere. The £5m signing from Monaco has netted just twice since his summer move.

Midfielders Moussa Sissoko and Remy Cabella return, while full-back Massadio Haidara replaces the suspended Daryl Janmaat.

Pardew names a youthful bench - with six of the seven substitutes under the age of 21. Three 17-year-olds - goalkeeper Freddie Woodman, forward Callum Roberts and striker Adam Armstrong - are among them.

BBC Radio 5 live

Steve Jenkins, who runs Bournemouth fan site The South End, on 5 live Breakfast: "I'm not sure we're starting as favourites, but obviously with our momentum in the league we've got a very, very good chance of winning. Liverpool are weak but I still don't think it's quite as bad for them as people are saying. I'm not sure the game will go all our way at all.

"But I remember the years when we had a 17-point deduction and playing in League Two. As a club we've come a very, very long way in a very short space of time."

In the first round of the FA Cup, Worcester beat Coventry 2-1 with two goals from Sean Geddes before the attacking midfielder became a YouTube star with a stunning 'rabona' goal in a 3-0 win against Barrow in the FA Trophy.

In case you are not sure what a 'rabona' is, you wrap one leg around the standing leg before connecting with the ball, while trying to not fall over.

Looks easy? Well, Cristiano Ronaldo tried a similar trick yesterday for Real Madrid against Cruz Azul in the Fifa Club World Cup... and failed to score.

So conclusive proof. Sean Geddes is better than Ronaldo.

Image source, Getty Images

Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe is not so much quietly confident as, well, loudly confident. Not only is he after a good result against Liverpool, he wants his side to show the watching world just how good they are.

"I would love the players to do themselves justice and show everybody, if people need confirmation, we are a good side," Howe told BBC Radio Solent.

"It's one game and the first time we have been in the quarter-final, so it's hopefully a game where we can relax and attack rather than think too much of the consequences of defeat or victory.

"I think it is a showcase for the club and a showcase for the team. If we can perform as we have done in the league and give a really good account of ourselves and hopefully everyone can see our philosophy, then we will take that.

"The result is always in the lap of the gods, but we want to see the principles of our play coming out."

BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

But if Tottenham v Newcastle is more your thing then don't worry. Tune into BBC Radio 5 live Sports Extra where ex-England midfielder Jermaine Jenas, who played for both clubs, joins commentator Alistair Bruce-Ball.

You're casting a look back at the year in football, and telling us what you reckon has been the best signing and the best game of 2014:

Steve Morris:, external Liverpool 3-2 Man City was an amazing game, where the title race was really set alight with Philippe Coutinho's dramatic goal.

Scott:, external Best signing of 2014? Alexis Sanchez. Best game of 2014? Liverpool 3-2 Man City. For everything involved.

Graham Jack Thirkill:, external If David De Gea signs a new contract for Man United before January, then that is the signing of 2014.

BBC Radio 5 live

As well as reading along here, you can also listen to the action from the south coast. Mark Pougatch presents 5 live Sport from Dean Court at 19:00 GMT, with full match commentary from Alan Green and ex-Stoke and Bournemouth manager Tony Pulis.

Image source, Getty Images

Victory would move Newcastle into the League Cup semi-finals for the first time since they were runners-up to Manchester City in 1976.

Newcastle forward Alan Gowling levelled teenager winger Peter Barnes's opener (above), before Dennis Tueart - a Geordie who supported Newcastle as a child - won the trophy for City.

Can the Magpies reach Wembley this year? Well, they did beat Tottenham on their way to the famous stadium in 1976...

BBC Final Score

Midweek Final Score returns tonight from 19:00 GMT. All the scores and match stats you can shake a stick at accompanying 5 live Sport's commentary of Bournemouth v Liverpool in the League Cup. It's online-only, and it's on air until 22:30.

As expected, Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino makes a raft of changes from the starting XI for Sunday's Premier League win at Swansea.

Second-choice keeper Michel Vorm starts ahead of France number one Hugo Lloris, with defenders Vlad Chiriches and Danny Rose getting the nod at full-back.

Midfielders Benjamin Stambouli, Nacer Chadli and Andros Townsend also come in. Argentina midfielder Erik Lamela and Spain striker Roberto Soldado are named on a relatively strong-looking bench.

There's nothing more frustrating then finding out you have to work on a day when you have something planned.

Luckily for Worcester goalkeeper Nathan Vaughan his bosses have decided to give him the day off to pursue his FA Cup dream.

Vaughan works as a fitter at Jaguar Land Rover in Solihull and will be swapping the production line for the goalline as he hopes his side motor past Scunthorpe into the third round of the FA Cup.

Bournemouth assistant manager Jason Tindall: "We've made six changes, but arguably any of those six players could play in our team week in, week out. We've picked a team which we feel is going to put on a good performance and hopefully get us through to the next round.

"Yann [Kermorgant] and Callum [Wilson] up front is a handful for any defence in the Championship, and I'm sure they'll be a handful for Liverpool."

One Bournemouth absentee is Cherries number seven, winger Marc Pugh.

Perhaps a hint was his tweet, external from last night's dinnertime. Not sure any sports science in the world would advocate an enormous Tuesday night roast as ideal matchday preparation:

Image source, @MarcPugh7

Liverpool - eight-time winners of the League Cup - underdogs at Dean Court?

What do we think?

Ross Parker:, external Forget Liverpool's history - based on form it wouldn't be a shock if they lost to Bournemouth, a team brimming with confidence.

Stevey Gee Sings:, external Surely Liverpool have to be considered as underdogs tonight? Going to be an interesting game. A must-win for both.

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool are on the slide then, but what about Bournemouth? Well, they are flying. This is already their best ever run in the League Cup and Eddie Howe's men are top of the Championship.

As ever, the second tier is manic and anyone's - with just six points covering the top seven. So it's not time to start planning the promotion party just yet, but I'm sure they can squeeze in another party if they knock out Liverpool tonight.

In two weeks' time we'll all be watching Jools Holland, letting off fireworks and welcoming in 2015.

Image source, Getty Images

But before we do, it's time to have a reflective look back on 2014. Last night we discussed the best goals and best celebrations of the last 12 months, and tonight we want your shouts for:

The best signing of 2014; and

The best game of 2014.

Image source, Getty Images

From non-league to World Cup, from emergency loan to £75m.

Fire away. Get in touch at #bbcfootball, external, pop on to the BBC Sport Facebook page, external or BBC Sport's Google+ area., external

You can also text us on 81111 in the UK only - don't forget to say who you are and where you are texting from.

The weekend's chastening 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford means it's just two wins in the last 10 games in all competitions for Liverpool, and with Champions League failure the season is in danger of disintegrating before Christmas.

A win tonight would keep their League Cup chances very much alive though. Can the Reds rediscover their old form?

Image source, @LFC

Liverpool FC on Twitter: , externalInside the #LFC dressing room at the Goldsands Stadium