An international break has arrived and for once it’s come at a good time for Liverpool and manager Rafa Benitez.
The Reds have been heavily hit by injuries of late, most notably to star duo Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard. Neither though will be action for their respective countries and instead will have two weeks rest to hopefully get back to fitness.
Torres missed the draw with Birmingham while Gerrard played the last 45 minutes but was excluded from Fabio Capello’s England squad which travels to Dubai for a friendly against Brazil.
It will also provide another two weeks for Alberto Aquilani to be ready for action but there will be injury doubts over wingers Yossi Benayoun and Albert Riera who both picked up hamstring injuries in the Birmingham match.
Daniel Agger continues to struggle with a back injury but Jamie Carragher will return from suspension. Philipp Degen will serve the second of his three match ban.
Mark Hughes’ big spending side have drawn their last five League matches.
This fixture last season ended in a 1-1 draw.
Lunchtime kick off at Anfield, live on Sky Sports.
