Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has picked a side for the game against Portsmouth that reflects his concerns about playing games with early kick-offs so soon after international breaks. Steven Gerrard was used twice by England after being out with a broken toe and so starts on the bench today along with Babel and Torres, with Rafa worried about tiredness. Peter Crouch gets a chance to start a league game and will be hoping to score past former Liverpool keeper David James.

Liverpool: Reina, Finnan, Agger, Carragher, Arbeloa, Pennant, Sissoko, Alonso, Benayoun, Crouch, Voronin.
Subs: Itandje, Hyypia, Torres, Gerrard, Babel.

Portsmouth: James, Johnson, Campbell, Distin, Hreidarsson, Bouba Diop, Davis, Muntari, Benjani, Utaka, Kanu
Subs: Pamarot, Kranjcar, Ashdown, Taylor, Nugent