Fernando Torres has failed a pre-match fitness test and is not included in the squad for today’s Merseyside derby.

The Spanish record signing has missed the Reds last 4 matches and had returned to training this week but isn’t fit enough to play a part against Everton today.

Youngster David N’Gog will instead lead the line again, with Steven Gerrard behind him.

The Reds are unchanged from the team which started against Debrecen, with Yossi Benayoun only fit enough for the bench and Fabio Aurelio continuing on the left of midfield.

Rafa Benitez has plenty of options on the bench with Benayoun, Riera and Albert Aquilani joined by Nabil El Zhar who has missed the start of the season through injury.

Liverpool (Confirmed): Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Insua, Mascherano, Lucas, Kuyt, Aurelio, Gerrard, Ngog.
Subs: Cavalieri, Aquilani, Benayoun, Riera, El Zhar, Skrtel, Kyrgiakos.

Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Yobo, Distin, Baines, Pienaar, Heitinga, Fellaini, Cahill, Bilyaletdinov, Jo.
Subs: Nash, Saha, Gosling, Yakubu, Neill, COleman, Baxter

Referee: Alan Wiley

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