Gerrard absent for Reds

Liverpool will be without Steven Gerrard and Lucas for their trip to face Portsmouth in the Barclays Premier League, while Xabi Alonso is a doubt with an ankle injury.

Skipper Gerrard is out for three weeks with a hamstring problem, while Lucas serves a one-match ban after being sent off in Wednesday’s FA Cup replay defeat at Everton.

Fabio Aurelio, rested from the squad at Goodison Park, is expected to return while Javier Mascherano – a substitute in the 1-0 cup defeat – will start at Fratton Park.

Provisional squad: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Hyypia, Skrtel, Hyypia, Dossena, Aurelio, Babel, Benayoun, Alonso, Mascherano, Torres, Kuyt, Ngog, Riera, Cavalieri, Plessis, El Zhar.