Torres starts in front of new Liverpool owners

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres recovered from an adductor injury to take his place in the starting line-up for the 214th Merseyside derby at Goodison Park, watched by new Reds owners John Henry and Tom Werner.

The 26-year-old limped off early in the team’s 2-1 defeat to Blackpool a fortnight ago but the international break has allowed him to recover.

However, the Reds lost full-back Glen Johnson (hamstring), Dirk Kuyt (ankle) and Christian Poulsen (absent) with Paul Konchesky, Maxi Rodriguez and Lucas Leiva coming in and Jamie Carragher switching to the right of defence having filled in on the left against the Seasiders.

Everton made just one change from their first victory of the season at Birmingham, with John Heitinga replacing the injured Marouane Fellaini.

Centre-back Phil Jagielka recovered from the hamstring problem which forced him to miss England’s Euro 2012 qualifier in midweek.

Everton: Howard, Neville, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Coleman, Heitinga, Arteta, Osman, Cahill, Yakubu.

Subs: Mucha, Hibbert, Bilyaletdinov, Beckford, Gueye, Mustafi, Baxter.

Liverpool: Reina, Carragher, Skrtel, Kyrgiakos, Konchesky, Gerrard, Lucas, Meireles, Cole, Maxi, Torres.

Subs: Jones, Aurelio, Jovanovic, Babel, Ngog, Spearing, Kelly.

Referee: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire)