Benitez continues rotation for Chelsea clash

Steven Gerrard has returned to the Liverpool team for the showdown with champions Chelsea today.

Rafael Benitez has recalled both Gerrard and Xabi Alonsowho had been left out of the midweek draw with PSV Eindhoven. Steven Warnock is installed at left back.

Fabio Aurelio and Boudewijn Zenden, facing one of his former clubs, are the players to make way.

Benitez has been criticised for too much rotation and, as if to prove a point, Jose Mourinho has named an unchanged team.

This means a wingless midfield quartet of Claude Makelele, Frank Lampard, Michael Essien and Michael Ballack.

Arjen Robben, fit after four games out with a calf injury, is a substitute.

Ashley Cole continues at left-back, starting his first league game for his new club, with no place for Wayne Bridge among the subs.

Liverpool, who have won their last two against Chelsea, start with Dirk Kuyt and Craig Bellamy up front, with Peter Crouch on the bench.

Chelsea: Cech, Boulahrouz, Ricardo Carvalho, Terry, Ashley Cole, Essien, Makelele, Ballack, Lampard, Shevchenko, Drogba.

Subs: Cudicini, Mikel, Robben, Paulo Ferreira, Kalou.

Liverpool: Reina, Finnan, Agger, Carragher, Warnock, Pennant, Gerrard, Alonso, Sissoko, Bellamy, Kuyt.

Subs: Dudek, Hyypia, Aurelio, Crouch, Zenden.

Referee: M Riley (W Yorkshire).