Line-up vs Hull City: Mascherano dropped

Javier Mascherano drops to the bench today in favour of winger Albert Riera as Rafa Benitez chooses an attacking formation against Hull City at Anfield this afternoon.

Both Riera and Yossi Benayoun start in midfield, with Steven Gerrard and Lucas Leiva also returning to the starting eleven.

Goalscorer of the midweek Carling Cup victory over Leeds Utd at Elland Road, David Ngog heads an attacking bench that also includes Ryan Babel and Andriy Voronin.

Liverpool: Reina, Insua, Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Lucas, Gerrard, Riera, Benayoun, Kuyt, Torres. Subs: Cavalieri, Voronin, Aurelio, Kyrgiakos, Babel, Mascherano, Ngog.

Kick-off at Anfield is 3pm.