Premier League Preview: Liverpool - Portsmouth

South-coast strugglers look to do the double over troubled Reds...

14 Mar 2010 14:37:00

By Mick Maguire

More On :  Liverpool, Portsmouth, Liverpool vs Portsmouth
EPL: Jamie Carragher - David Nugent, Portsmouth - Liverpool (PA)
Kick-off: Monday, March 15, 2010 - 20:00 GMT
Anfield, Merseyside

Two crisis clubs will go head to head as out-of-sorts Liverpool play host to last-placed Portsmouth in Monday night's Premier League action.
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It's panic stations at Anfield after consecutive defeats at Wigan Athletic and Lille, with rumours surfacing that Rafael Benitez's reign may be nearing an end one way or another.

The weekend's results have left the Reds four points adrift of the Champions League places, with Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City threatening to make it a two-way tussle for fourth.

The thought of finishing outside the top four or even missing out on European football altogether has Kopites worldwide in a state of distress, yet their woes cannot be compared to those of Portsmouth fans.

It was just two years ago that the humble Hampshire club lifted the FA Cup and although they have made it to the semi-finals this time around, they find themselves fighting for survival both on and off the pitch.

Debt-ridden Pompey went into administration last month and so could be hit with a nine-point deduction, which would all but ensure their relegation - they currently sit dead last with 19 points.

But Liverpool know all too well the danger that this band of desperate men possesses, as they succumbed 2-0 at Fratton Park earlier in the season.

Jamie Carragher summed it up when he said recently: "With administration it will probably bring them closer together and make them stronger. They've got nothing to lose."

FORM GUIDE

Liverpool

Mar 11: Lille 1-0 Liverpool (Europa League)
Mar 8: Wigan Athletic 1-0 Liverpool (Premier League)
Feb 28: Liverpool 2-1 Blackburn Rovers (Premier League)
Feb 25: Unirea Urziceni 1-3 Liverpool (Europa League)
Feb 21: Manchester City 0-0 Liverpool (Premier League)

Portsmouth

Mar 9: Portsmouth 1-2 Birmingham City (Premier League)
Mar 6: Portsmouth 2-0 Birmingham City (FA Cup)
Feb 27: Burnley 1-2 Portsmouth (Premier League)
Feb 20: Portsmouth 1-2 Stoke City (Premier League)
Feb 13: Southampton 1-4 Portsmouth (FA Cup)

TEAM NEWS

Liverpool

The return of Daniel Agger at the back means Benitez has something like his preferred lineup available to him for the first time in months, although there is a question mark over Yossi Benayoun after his absence at Lille.

Slovakian centre-half Martin Skrtel and Brazilian left-back Fabio Aurelio are both out of action.

Last starting XI (vs. Lille): Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Insua, Mascherano, Lucas, Kuyt, Gerrard, Babel, Torres.

Portsmouth

Aaron Mokoena made the bench against Birmingham and could feature this time out as he shakes off a knee problem, while Tommy Smith (groin) and Anthony Vanden Borre (hamstring) are also pushing for a spot in the matchday squad.

Kevin-Prince Boateng is expected to remain sidelined with an ankle injury, alongside John Utaka (groin) and Hassan Yebda (knee).

Last starting XI (vs. Birmingham City): James, Finnan, Ben Haim, Hreidarrson, Belhadj, O'Hara, Brown, Wilson, Webber, Dindane, Piquionne.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Liverpool - Fernando Torres

The Spanish superstar is used to being the apple of every fan's eye, but he copped criticism from all quarters after his sulky showing in France on Thursday. A goal or two here would repair any damage quite nicely.

Portsmouth - Nadir Belhadj

Say what you will about his defensive game, but the Algerian wing-back's sense of adventure is vital to the way Pompey attack. With Glen Johnson bombing down from the other end, the visitors' left flank could see a lot of traffic.

PREDICTION

Liverpool 2-0 Portsmouth

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Sure it's a big day, but let's not forget those who have got some celebrating to do. Shaggy-haired ex-Liverpool midfielder Steve McManaman turns 40 today, while Rafa Van der Vaart should be blowing out 29 candles on his cake after the Newcastle game later.

That's got us thinking about footballers with particularly apt birthday names, with our very own Jonathan Birchall offering up 'Cake Livermore' right away. I'm sure you can beat that - Tweet us with your efforts using #birthdayfootballers
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