Portsmouth vs LFC: Latest team news

Liverpool will be without Steven Gerrard and Lucas for their trip to face Portsmouth in the Barclays Premier League, while Xabi Alonso is a doubt with an ankle injury.

Skipper Gerrard is out for three weeks with a hamstring problem, while Lucas serves a one-match ban after being sent off in Wednesday's FA Cup replay defeat at Everton.

Fabio Aurelio, rested from the squad at Goodison Park, is expected to return while Javier Mascherano - a substitute in the 1-0 cup defeat - will start at Fratton Park.

Portsmouth's two new Greek signings Angelos Basinas and Theo Gekas are both in the squad but not guaranteed to start.

Pompey boss Tony Adams must find a replacement for loanee Jermaine Pennant who is not allowed to figure against his parent club. Skipper Sol Campbell has recovered from a hip injury and will take over again from Younes Kaboul, who has an ankle strain, in defence.

Nadir Belhadj returns from suspension while Niko Kranjcar (groin) could be among the substitutes but Papa Bouba Diop (knee), Richard Hughes (hamstring) and Marc Wilson (hip) are still out.

David Nugent is favourite to start up front alongside former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch after impressing when coming on as a substitute for Kanu in last week's 3-1 defeat at Fulham.

Teams

Portsmouth (from): James, Johnson, Campbell, Distin, Pamarot, Hreidarsson, Belhadj, A Traore, Davis, Kranjcar, Little, Mvuemba, Crouch, Nugent, Utaka, Cranie, Mullins, Gekas, Basinas, Begovic.

Liverpool (from): Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Hyypia, Skrtel, Hyypia, Dossena, Aurelio, Babel, Benayoun, Alonso, Mascherano, Torres, Kuyt, Ngog, Riera, Cavalieri, Plessis, El Zhar.