Baros and Diouf head Liverpool attack

Michael Owen was surprisingly relegated to the bench for today’s clash with Leeds at Elland Road despite recently rediscovering his goalscoring touch.

With Gerard Houllier also without fellow striker Emile Heskey due to a groin injury sustained on England duty, the Liverpool manager played Milan Baros and El Hadji Diouf up front.

Captain Sami Hyypia bolstered the Reds defence having shaken off a rib injury while on duty with Finland, but Houllier was still without Stephane Henchoz (calf) and Abel Xavier (virus).

With Steven Gerrard also out after sustaining a hip injury in England’s dismal 2-2 draw with Macedonia on Wednesday, Diouf’s Senegalese team-mate Salif Diao moved into the centre of midfield.

Liverpool started the game knowing a victory would see them temporarily move top of the Premier League, with the hope Merseyside rivals Everton could do them a favour and help them stay their at the end of the day by beating leaders Arsenal.

Leeds were looking to avoid the prospect of dropping into the bottom half of the table, depending on other results, and end a woeful run of just one point from their last three matches.

Boss Terry Venables made just one change to the team which drew at Aston Villa 13 days ago, with Teddy Lucic handed his debut in place of the injured former Liverpool defender Dominic Matteo.

The Leeds skipper had failed to recover from the keyhole surgery needed early last week on a knee injury which had plagued him all season, giving Sweden international Lucic his first chance to impress after arriving on a season-long loan from AIK Solna six weeks ago.