Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has picked a strong side to face Derby County at Anfield this afternoon. With Jamie Carragher missing from the defence, Sami Hyypia gets to start again alongside Daniel Agger; Alvaro Arbeloa gets the nod at left-back ahead of Riise who’s on the bench. No Steven Gerrard, also injured, so Alonso and Mascherano are chosen to start, flanked by Ryan Babel and Jermaine Pennant. Kuyt and Torres are up front, with Andriy Voronin on the bench.
No place in the 16 for Peter Crouch again, but now the transfer window is closed the speculation about what that means might be a little quieter.
Today’s game is the last for Liverpool for two weeks, with internationals taking place in-between.
Liverpool: 25 Reina, 3 Finnan,4 Hyypia, 5 Agger, 17 Arbeloa, 16 Pennant, 20 Mascherano, 14 Alonso, 19 Babel, 9 Torres, 18 Kuyt
Subs: 30 Itandje, 6 Riise, 10 Voronin, 11 Benayoun, 22 Sissoko
Derby: 43 Bywater, 18 Griffin, 21 Malcolm, 19 Davis, 3 Camara, 17 Todd, 11 Fagan, 8 Oakley, 24 Mears, 25 Pearson, 9 Howard
Subs: 1 Price, 4 McEveley, 10 Earnshaw, 16 Teale, 23 Moore
Referee: Alan Wiley