Liverpool will be looking to build on their recent impressive home form when they face Portsmouth at Anfield on Monday, kick-off at 20:00 hours (GMT). Fernando Torres enters the clash on the back of another 90 minute run-out, this time away to Lille.The Spaniard, who has successfully appeared for club and country since returning from injury, will be hoping to add to his 13 goal haul in the Premier League.

The Merseysiders have won their last six home games in the league and following results this weekend, Rafa Benitez’s team go into the Premier League contest in sixth place, four points behind Spurs in fourth, with both sides having both played 29 games. Manchester City lie fifth on 49 points but with two games in hand.

The Reds will be aiming to bounce back from two losses in their last two outings. Liverpool slipped to a slender one-nil defeat away to Wigan in the league before falling by the same scoreline in France against Lille in the first-leg tie of the Europa League.

Portsmouth, who are struggling off and on the pitch this season, have won just one of their last 10 Premier League matches. The coastal club, who are currently bottom of the Premier League, went into administration and are firm candidates for relegation.

Every cloud though has a silver lining and Pompey made it through to the semis of the FA Cup after beating Birmingham in the last eight. Portsmouth will face the winner of the replay between Tottenham and Fulham for place in the final at Wembley.

Portsmouth have only won 5 games in the league all season, but one of their victories came against Rafa Benitez’s Liverpool. The two sides met at Fratton Park back in December with the home side taking all three points with goals from Nadir Belhadj and Frederic Piquionne.

Past meetings on Merseyside favour Liverpool, who have not lost to at Anfield since August 1951. The Liverpool number ‘9’ missed the last meeting at Anfield between the two clubs when a second-half penalty from Gerrard helped the Reds to all victory.

Fernando Torres’ last run-out against Pompey came was at Fratton Park last season. The striker came on with just under 15 minutes remaining with the Reds trailing 2-1. Kuyt levelled with four minutes left on the clock before Torres scored a dramatic late header to secure all three points for Liverpool.