Reds stretched after Zenden injury

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez will choose between defenders Jamie Carragher and Daniel Agger to partner Steven Gerrard in central midfield against Portsmouth tomorrow after Bolo Zenden becomes the latest addition to the club’s injury list.

The former Middlesbrough player has suffered knee ligament problems which will need an operation.

With fellow midfielders Xabi Alonso and Mohamed Sissoko also out, Zenden’s absence is a major problem for Benitez, who has added young reserve Danny Guthrie to his squad.

Benitez also has Stephen Warnock, Mark Gonzalez, Fabio Aurelio and Harry Kewell sidelined, while Craig Bellamy is unlikely to be available because of his protracted court case in Cardiff.

Liverpool provisional squad: Reina, Finnan, Hyypia, Agger, Carragher, Riise, Luis Garcia, Gerrard, Pennant, Guthrie, Crouch, Kuyt, Fowler, Dudek, Paletta, Hammill, Peltier, El Zhar.