Houllier leaves Riise on the bench

Emile Heskey is back in the Liverpool team for tonight's clash with Newcastle.

Manager Gerard Houllier opted to name Vladmir Smicer in midfield with John Arne Riise having to settle for a place on the substitute's bench.

French winger Laurent Robert and Welsh striker Craig Bellamy are on the Newcastle United bench - their first appearances in a match-day squad this season.

Robert has been suffering with a back problem while Bellamy has been recovering from knee surgery.

Chile international Clarence Acuna again misses out with a thigh strain, but striker Lomana LuaLua has recovered from a stomach bug and goalkeeper Shay Given has shaken off a back problem.

Kieron Dyer, named in the England squad, is included in the starting line-up, as is Hugo Viana.

Liverpool: Dudek, Xavier, Henchoz, Hyypia, Traore, Murphy, Hamann, Gerrard, Smicer, Owen, Heskey.

Subs: Kirkland, Diouf, Riise, Carragher, Cheyrou.

Newcastle: Given, Hughes, Bramble, Dabizas, Bernard, Solano, Dyer, Speed, Viana, LuaLua, Shearer. Subs: Harper, O'Brien, Jenas, Bellamy, Robert.

Referee: G Poll (Hertfordshire)