Analysis:
Both sides comes into this match needing a win badly but for Portsmouth who are cash stricken since the summer have had three owners and two managers with current boss Avram Grant replacing Paul Hart finding it more difficult to get a win here.
Liverpool are sixth in the standings on goal difference with Birmingham, five points adrift of fourth-placed Aston Villa and must win to get back into the Champions League spot.
For Liverpool, every match now becomes a must win game and for Jamis Carragher who is set to make his 600th appearance will hope he can mark it win all three points here at Fratton Park.
Portsmouth under Grant has only seen one win since replacing the sacked Hart , in November but he has overseen a marked improvement in performances of the league's bottom club. If Portsmouth wins today and West Ham loses to Chelsea on Sunday Pompey could for the first time climb out of the bottom of the standings.
Last season Liverpool grabbed a late winner and Pompey, who lost at Chelsea in midweek, will want to avoid a repeat, with their cause boosted by the return from suspension of Younes Kaboul.
As for the team news, Kevin-Prince Boateng and ex-Liverpool defender Steve Finnan both overcame viruses to start against Chelsea and should keep their places in the squad. Meanwhile Liverpool are set to restore Fernando Torres to their starting lineup after the Spaniard was rested on the bench before essentially turning matchwinner in the 2-1 midweek victory over Wigan at Anfield.
The good news for Benitez is that Full-back Glen Johnson is fit to face his former club after he missed Wednesday's match with a hamstring problem. Winger Albert Riera still has a hamstring injury and is not available, but Ryan Babel returns to the squad after his ankle injury.
Take Liverpool to win and give the 3/4 ball here.
Cheers and good luck,
Cruiser
