Liverpool v West Brom preview

Torres: Expected to return

PREDICTIONS:

Skysports.com prediction: Liverpool 2 West Brom 0
Sky Bet odds: Liverpool 1/4 Draw 4/1 West Brom 14/1
One to Watch: Fernando Torres
Bet on Saturday's match

Related links

Teams

• Liverpool
• West Bromwich Albion

Also see

• Football on Sky
• Sky Sports experts
• Super 6: Win £100k

West Brom travel to Liverpool on Saturday evening hoping to apply a fitting conclusion to their hosts' shaky week.

Last weekend Rafa Benitez's Reds suffered their first defeat of the season as they were stunned by a White Hart Lane late-show to surrender top spot in the Premier League.

And after dominating in North London only to suffer defeat, Benitez's side almost suffered the same fate in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday as Atletico Madrid very nearly completed a classic smash and grab on Merseyside.

The home side will, therefore, be eager for a polished performance upon their return to domestic action as they bid to revitalise their title credentials, but West Brom and manager Tony Mowbray will have other ideas.

Mowbray will have studied the blueprint of last season's Championship rivals Stoke, who travelled to Anfield in September, frustrated Benitez's men, and made off with a deserved stalemate and point.

Torres return

The Baggies will also be well aware that they need to address a dip in form which has seen the Hawthorns outfit slip into the relegation zone following four games without a victory.

West Brom's cause will not be helped by the probable return of Liverpool star Fernando Torres, with the Spanish striker likely to make his comeback after a hamstring injury to add a neccesary cutting edge.

Xabi Alonso would be expected to make way, but the midfielder's excellent run of current form suggests Robbie Keane's place in attack could be under threat as the Republic of Ireland international still seeks his first Premier League goal in red.

Centre-half Daniel Agger appeared to dislocate a finger against Atletico but should be fit, while Andrea Dossena could return for Fabio Aurelio as the pair continue to be handed equal opportunities at left-back.

West Brom midfielder Filipe Teixeira has returned to training after knee and calf problems and could be named in Mowbray's squad, while James Morrison is in contention for a starting place despite limping off against Blackburn last weekend.

Former Liverpool goalkeeper Scott Carson will make his return to Anfield after joining the Baggies in July.

However, Leon Barnett (knee) is expected to remain on the sidelines for another two weeks and defensive colleague Abdoulaye Meite (calf) remains on the long-term injury list.

Possible starting XIs

Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Dossena, Kuyt, Gerrard, Mascherano, Reira, Keane, Torres.

West Brom: Carson, Zuiverloon, Donk, Olsson, Robinson, Greening, Koren, Valero, Morrison, Miller, Bednar.