Liverpool aim to finish disappointing week on winning note

Liverpool

• Midfielder Yossi Benayoun is expected to overcome an ankle injury in time.
• Defender Glen Johnson is hoping to start his first game for more than two months.
• Rafa Benitez’s side has lost only two of their last 11 league games.
• The Reds have not lost to Portsmouth at home since 1951.

• Brazilian Aurelio will be out for up to three weeks with a thigh problem.
• Aurelio will be out for another fortnight with a thigh problem.
• Centre back Martin Skrtel is out for two months with a broken metatarsal.

Portsmouth

• Ricardo Rocha is available again after a two-match ban.
• Hassan Yebda is hoping to return from an ankle problem.
• Avram Grant’s side has won three of their last four home games.
• Portsmouth beat Liverpool 2-0 when they met in December.

• Kevin-Prince Boateng remains sidelined by an ankle injury.
• Aaron Mokoena is still doubtful with a knee problem.
• Striker John Utaka is struggling to recover from a groin injury.
• Pompey have won just two of their last 13 meetings against Liverpool.
• Grant’s team is five points adrift at the bottom of the table with a nine-point penalty for going into administration still pending.

Expert Advice

It’s not been the best of weeks for Liverpool following defeats in Wigan and Lille but they should be offered some respite with the visit of bottom-of-the-table Portsmouth. The Reds suffered a shock defeat to the south-coast strugglers in December but that was when they were really out of form and it’s difficult to see Pompey gaining their first win at Anfield for more than 50 years. Portsmouth could score but Rafa Benitez’s men will be anxious to finish a poor week on a winning note and a home win by two goals looks a sound bet at Betsson’s odds of 1.61.

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