Injured Torres out, Owen on the bench for Newcastle

Newcastle dropped former Liverpool striker Michael Owen to the bench, while Jose Enrique was out with a hamstring injury.

Joey Barton came into midfield with Peter Lovenkrands up front.

Liverpool were without striker Fernando Torres with a recurrence of his hamstring injury, while Lucas, Martin Skrtel and Emiliano Insua were also out from the side that won at Hull last week.

It meant the return of skipper Steven Gerrard following a groin problem, while Daniel Agger – fresh from agreeing a new four-year contract – replaced Skrtel in defence. Albert Riera and Fabio Aurelio also returned.

Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Aurelio, Alonso, Mascherano, Benayoun, Gerrard, Riera, Kuyt.

Subs: Cavalieri, Dossena, Babel, Lucas, Ngog, El Zhar, Skrtel.

Newcastle: Harper, Beye, Coloccini, Bassong, Duff, Smith, Butt, Martins, Barton, Lovenkrands, Viduka.

Subs: Krul, Nolan, Guthrie, Owen, Gutierrez, Edgar, Carroll.

Referee: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire)