Liverpool v Pompey

Both teams lock horns after first home defeats of the season, Liverpool suffering at the hands of Man U, and Pompey, Spurs.

How you react to a defeat is how you judge a teams strength and character, to go back to Pompeys promotion season, and every defeat was countered with a win on the bounce.
This is the Premiership though, not Championship stuff, and Liverpool are not Burnley or Grimsby.
Liverpool themselves though have had a bit of a slip up of late, Reading turned them over at the Madjeski, and old rivals Man U compounded the disappointment, along with a Carling cup defeat to Chelsea. Both teams need to get back on track.

Agger is a definite absentee with a foot injury, Finnan a doubt with a calf problem, and Crouch will have to watch from the stands after his great tackle on Obi-Mikel.
Hyypia looks like returning to centre back in place of Jack Hobbs, and Torres and Kuyt will provide the attacking options.

The Spaniard is fast becoming more of a fulcrum than Gerrard, where Liverpool used to rely heavily on their skipper to dig them out of holes, Torres has now provided another outlet with his finishing and general play, Campbell and Distin will have no greater challenge this season.

Pamarot has popped a hamstring and will be replaced like for like with Hreiddarson, the big Icelander will return to the startin line-up after first injury, and then Pamarots form keeping him out.
Sean Davis is a doubt with recurring hamstring problems, the Londoner will be a sore miss if he is sidelined.

Sulley is apparently on Liverpools hit list, he had a cracker against Villa last time on the road, but was disappointing at home to Spurs.
His battle up against Gerrard should meke great viewing though.

1951 was the last time Pompey left Anfield with maximum points, in fact Pompey were the bigger club back then, fresh from back to back titles, and before Liverpools domination of the Seventies and eighties.

Mike Riley, for those looking for omens, he was in charge for Liverpool at Fratton, and our win at Villa

Pompey have made a habit of breaking long winless streaks this year, how will we fare against the Scousers? place your bets here.

Another easy task on Boxing day, Arsenal bring their passing machine to Fratton.

Vital F1 Prediction League - Join now for Spain