Tinkerman Benitez strikes again

With one eye on Galatasaray in the Champions League on Wednesday, Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez maintained his rotation policy and left out Jamie Carragher, Luis Garcia and Fabio Aurelio from the side that beat Newcastle in midweek.

John Arne Riise returned for the first time since the opening day of the season, when he suffered an ankle injury.

Also recalled were Sami Hyypia and Mark Gonzalez, with Benitez having now made 19 changes in six Premiership games so far this season.

Spurs, currently enduring their worst start to a league campaign in 14 years, fielded an unchanged side from that which drew with Fulham in the Premiership.

Liverpool: Reina, Finnan, Hyypia, Agger, Riise, Gerrard, Alonso, Sissoko, Gonzalez, Bellamy, Kuyt.

Subs: Dudek, Luis Garcia, Aurelio, Crouch, Carragher.

Tottenham: Robinson, Chimbonda, Dawson, King, Assou-Ekotto, Jenas, Murphy, Zokora, Tainio, Keane, Defoe.

Subs: Cerny, Lee, Davids, Mido, Huddlestone.

Referee: H Webb (S Yorkshire)