Gerrard named in starting line-up for Liverpool

Stand-in England skipper Steven Gerrard was handed a chance to soothe his Euro 2008 misery when he was named in the starting line-up for Liverpool’s trip to Newcastle.

However, striker Peter Crouch, whose equaliser against Croatia on Wednesday briefly gave England hope, was among the substitutes as Rafael Benitez made six changes to the side which beat Fulham 2-0 last time out.

Record signing Fernando Torres and Dirk Kuyt returned in a new-look strikeforce and Steve Finnan, Harry Kewell, Lucas Leiva and Mohamed Sissoko were also draffted in.

Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce also made six changes, most of them enforced, as Obafemi Martins came in for the injured Michael Owen and Shay Given, Habib Beye, Jose Enrique, Geremi and Nicky Butt also returned.