Liverpool host Fulham on Sunday in what could be a prelude to the Europa League final on 12th May.
Torres expected to start for Reds, Hodgson set to make changes
Liverpool host Fulham in the Premier League on Sunday in what could be a prelude to the Europa League final in Hamburg on 12th May.
Both sides recorded impressive wins in their respective quarter-final ties this week with Liverpool thumping Benfica 4-1 at Anfield to record a 5-3 aggregate win while Fulham defeated German champions Wolfsburg 1-0 away to triumph 3-1 overall.
The two clubs have managed to avoid each other in the last four with Liverpool drawn against Atletico Madrid and Fulham facing Hamburg, making the prospect of an all-English final a very real possibility.
However, the Reds will need to swiftly turn their attention to the league as they bid to maintain their outside chances of finishing fourth.
Rafa Benitez's men dropped more points following their 1-1 draw away at Birmingham last week leaving them four points behind Manchester City, who currently occupy fourth spot, with Roberto Mancini's men also possessing a game in hand.
A healthy win for the hosts could see them leapfrog Tottenham in fifth, with Spurs facing Portsmouth in the FA Cup semi-finals this weekend, but Benitez knows that nothing less than a win would all-but end their hopes of qualifying for next season's UEFA Champions League with just five games remaining.
Meanwhile, Fulham have recently seen their normally consistent league form suffer as a result of their European adventure.
The Cottagers ended a run of four games without a win in the league, including three straight defeats, last time out when they came from behind to beat struggling Wigan at Craven Cottage, but manager Roy Hodgson knows his side will be up against it at Anfield.
Fulham have never beaten Liverpool at Anfield and have leaked 14 goals in their last five trips to the red half of Merseyside, although they did manage to record a goalless draw last term.
Injury news
Benitez expects star striker Fernando Torres to be fit for the clash despite the Spaniard feeling slight pain in his knee against Benfica on Thursday.
The 26-year-old scored twice against the Portuguese giants but was substituted as a precaution in the 86th minute and the problem is not thought to be too serious.
Daniel Agger could continue at left-back after impressing against Benfica while Emiliano Insua was suspended. The young Argentine has now picked up a slight knock and with Fabio Aurelio (thigh) still sidelined Agger could be asked to fill in again.
Ryan Babel and Maxi Rodriguez are back in contention after being suspended and ineligible respectively in Europe.
Fulham boss Hodgson is set to make changes for the trip after Thursday's exertions.
Leading scorer and match-winner in Wolfsburg Bobby Zamora is a doubt with an Achilles problem so Stefano Okaka could start only his second Premier League game after coming off the bench to grab the equaliser against Wigan last week.
Midfielder Simon Davies could miss out after he picked up a rib injury in Germany while Clint Dempsey is definitely out with a thigh complaint.
Forward David Elm could also be included if he overcomes a virus which hospitalised him this week.
Possible starting XIs
Liverpool: Reina, Kyrgiakos, Carragher, Agger, Johnson, Benayoun, Gerrard, Mascherano, Lucas, Torres, Kuyt.
Fulham: Schwarzer, Konchesky, Hangeland, Baird, Hughes, Etuhu, Duff, Murphy, Gera, Greening, Okaka.
