LIVE: Portsmouth v Liverpool

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Insua, Agger, Carragher, Mascherano, Lucas, Kuyt, Dossena, Gerrard, Torres. Subs: Cavalieri, Aurelio, Benayoun, Babel, Ngog, Spearing, Skrtel.

Puzzling thing is where is Aquilani? Bit strange that to drop Yossi and put Dossena in as well.

I suppose this is all in the name of keeping players fit during the busy festive period.

Come on you Reds!!

What the fook is the story with a certain Italian we forked out a few quid for?

Im off to the pub. COME ON REDMEN

What the fook is the story with a certain Italian we forked out a few quid for?

Im off to the pub. COME ON REDMEN

Aquilani is out with a calf injury

Good chance to Doss.

What is going on !

Why is Aquilani not in the squad ?

Surely Ngog deservers a start instead of Kuyt or Dossena.

Aquilani is out with a calf injury

Bollocks. So much for all the money spent on him and he's injured yet again. Was it his calf that went as well for the injury that kept him out for more than half a year? I hope not.

Aquilani is out with a calf injury

He must have strained it out doing his Christmas shopping!!

Dossena why?y drop yousi?

Ah, the man truly baffles me sometimes. But, three points is all we ask. Come on, Reds.

Aquilani is out with a calf injury

I hope that is part of your famous humour, JD. Actually, I don't hope. I beg.

Bollocks. So much for all the money spent on him and he's injured yet again. Was it his calf that went as well for the injury that kept him out for more than half a year? I hope not.

Nope it was his ankle, if it was his calf then that would cause some serious concern.

Aquilani or not, we should win.

I found it equally as surprising that Benayoun didn't get the nod on the left wing, but Dossena did a solid job the other day out there so I hope he'll show the same amount of motivation and drive.

Benayoun, Babel and N'Gog gives us a few decent attacking options from the bench as well, quite happy about that if we need to change things, especially if Torres isn't up to playing 90 minutes.

Come on you Reds, another win today would be brilliant.

Aquilani is out with a calf injury

Not already?  Hope it's only a tweak and not serious.

Babel's back on the bench.  I would prefer Pacheco but there you go.

Come on you Reds!

Nope it was his ankle, if it was his calf then that would cause some serious concern.

Thought so as well. Just making sure that I was right anyway.

Let's grab the 3 points today it's imperative we get on a winning streak to climb back up the league table.

Wasn't feeling well just now, much better now, off to bathe and then watch the game.

Come on you REDS!!

F***ing big load of w*nk this is really getting F***ing annoying I F***ing hate this formation everytime I see it I feel like gouging my eyes out.... And two holding midfielders against pompey I'm completely baffled... (This isn't Rafa bashing it is just pure frustration and pissed offness.....)

Babel's birthday apparently - Rafa must have put him on the bench as a present.

Personally, on Yossi I don't think he is as good on the left as the right.  Dirk Kuyt's lucky to get the nod over Yossi on that wing in my opinion.

I could be wrong but wasn't Yossi an impact sub at Portsmouth last year?

Don't envy the players playing today in this weather.

Woulda had Yossi instead of Kuyt, other than that it's all good. Here's hoping Dossena steps up.

F***ing big load of w*nk this is really getting F***ing annoying I F***ing hate this formation everytime I see it I feel like gouging my eyes out.... And two holding midfielders against pompey I'm completely baffled... (This isn't Rafa bashing it is just pure frustration and pissed offness.....)

Yes we should beat Portsmouth, but they've had a decent couple of results in the past few weeks and almost gave Chelsea a fright at Stamford Bridge.  Lucas and Mascherano both deserve to be in the starting XI on merit so I think the formation is perfectly acceptable - especially away from home.

Would much prefer Yossi on the wing than Dossena but other than that the line up is what I thought it would be.

Nando and Gerrard to get the goals today.

And why o why is Rafa continuing to play Insua ahead of Aurelio.

I'll be keeping an eye on Dossena.  I don't think he offers much, but a few people were raving about him against Fiorentina so let's hope he proves me wrong.

And why o why is Rafa continuing to play Insua ahead of Aurelio.

Fair shout.  Aurelio had a cracking game mid-week in my opinion.

who the F**k suggested the italian glass to us??

F***ing waste of money

Could do with 5 goals to go 5th.