Torres back for Pompey game

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres was back in the starting XI for the Barclays Premier League clash against Portsmouth after coming off the bench during the midweek win over Wigan.

Rafael Benitez also brought back Glen Johnson, Lucas and Andrea Dossena at Fratton Park, with Martin Skrtel, Yossi Benayoun, David Ngog and Fabio Aurelio dropping to the bench.

Pompey boss Avram Grant, who had an unbeaten record against Liverpool while manager at Chelsea, made four changes from the team beaten at Stamford Bridge.

Younes Kaboul returned from suspension, Michael Brown was back and so was Hassan Yebda and Nadir Belhadj.

David James was still out with a calf problem so Asmir Begovic continued in goal.

Portsmouth: Begovic, Finnan, Kaboul, Ben-Haim, Hreidarsson, Yebda, Brown, O’Hara, Belhadj, Boateng, Piquionne.

Subs: Ashdown, Mullins, Utaka, Hughes, Dindane, Kanu, Wilson.

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Insua, Kuyt, Mascherano, Lucas, Dossena, Gerrard, Torres.

Subs: Cavalieri, Aurelio, Benayoun, Babel, Ngog, Spearing, Skrtel.

Referee: Lee Mason (Lancashire)