Benitez rests Torres

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish made three changes from the side thrashed 5-1 by Aston Villa for the home clash with Liverpool.

Fit-again Sebastian Larsson and Olivier Kapo replaced Cameron Jerome and Gary McSheffrey while Mikael Forssell was recalled in place of Mauro Zarate.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez made nine changes from the side which drew with Chelsea in the Champions League with goalkeeper Pepe Reina and defender Martin Skrtel the only survivors.

But more pertinently Benitez made just the one change from the team which had triumphed 2-0 at Fulham last weekend with Damien Plessis replacing Javier Mascherano.

Birmingham: Maik Taylor, Kelly, Jaidi, Ridgewell, Murphy, Larsson, Muamba, Nafti, Kapo, Forssell, McFadden.

Subs: Doyle, Jerome, McSheffrey, Queudrue, Zarate.

Liverpool: Reina, Finnan, Hyypia, Skrtel, Riise, Pennant, Plessis, Lucas, Benayoun, Crouch, Voronin.

Subs: Itandje, Gerrard, Kuyt, Carragher, Insua.

Referee: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire)