Fernando Torres will face Blackpool for the first time in his career as the Seasiders visit Anfield in the Premier League on Sunday, kick-off at 15:00 hours (BST). For the Tangerines, the match on Merseyside will be their first in almost four decades. Liverpool have not faced Blackpool at home since January 1971. The game at Anfield ended 2-2. You have to go even further back for the Reds’ last win against the Tangerines, a 4-1 victory in February 1966- the year England won the World Cup.

And it’s not just the Liverpool number ‘9’ who will line-up against the Tangerines for the first time at the weekend. Along with his Anfield teammates, the Spaniard could be joined on Sunday by the club captain. Red Hodgson could recall Steven Gerrard to the starting line-up after the midfielder was rested for Thursday's Europa League group game away to FC Utrecht.

The seasiders are currently one point above Liverpool in the league with two wins, one draw and two defeats. Their last victory in the league came away to Newcastle on September 21. Goals from Adam and Campbell clinched a 2-0 win for the side promoted last season after a 39 year absence from the top tier of English football.

Only nine years after climbing out of the basement division, Blackpool clinched a place in the English Premier League back in May with a thrilling 3-2 win over Cardiff in the Championship play-off final at Wembley.

Last weekend Blackpool suffered a stoppage time defeat in the Lancashire derby at home to Blackburn Rovers. Ian Holloway’s side cancelled out an earlier own goal from Charlie Adam, but Brett Emerton struck in added time to clinch a 2-1 win for Rovers.

Blackpool have conceded more goals (10) away from home than any other Premier League side this season, but with six points on the road from four outings no side in the top-flight have collected more points on their travels than the Tangerines.

Despite their average start to the season, Liverpool go into the weekend fixture just five points behind third placed Arsenal and fourth placed Manchester City. If results go their way, a victory for the Merseysiders on Sunday could lift the Reds as high as seventh before the international break. - Premier League Table -

Following the game at home to Blackpool, Fernando Torres will fly to Madrid where he will join up with the Spain squad for their two European Championship qualifiers against Lithuania and Scotland.