Benitez drops three to bench for Newcastle clash

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez dropped Djimi Traore, Dietmar Hamann and Antonio Nunez to the bench following the disappointing 1-1 home draw with Portsmouth in midweek.

Spanish midfielder Luis Garcia returned after missing six games with a hamstring injury, while John Arne Riise and Neil Mellor were also recalled to the starting line-up.

For Newcastle, top scorer Craig Bellamy was included after recovering from a back problem, while Alan Shearer remained sidelined with a thigh injury.

Lee Bowyer, Andy O’Brien and Kieron Dyer all returned.

Newcastle, with only one Premiership win since early November, remain in the bottom half of the table and began the match knowing they needed to improve on an away league record of just two victories all season.

Liverpool, too, knew they were lacking the necessary consistency to prove boss Rafael Benitez right with his assertion that they will finish in the top four.

Liverpool: Dudek, Finnan, Hyypia, Carragher, Riise, Luis Garcia, Gerrard, Alonso, Kewell, Baros, Mellor. Subs: Nunez, Hamann, Traore, Sinama Pongolle, Harrison.

Newcastle: Given, Andrew O’Brien, Elliott, Bramble, Bernard, Bowyer, Dyer, Jenas, Milner, Kluivert, Ameobi. Subs: N’Zogbia, Ambrose, Robert, Harper.

Referee: G Poll (Hertfordshire)