Liverpool v Birmingham preview

Torres: Late fitness test

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Skysports.com predicts: Liverpool 1 Birmingham 0

SKY BET odds: Liverpool 1/3, Draw 10/3, Birmingham 11/1

One to watch: Yossi Benayoun

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Liverpool welcome Birmingham to Anfield on Monday aiming to get their season back on track.

The Reds have endured a miserable slump in form having won just once in their last eight matches in all competitions.

Under-pressure Liverpool chief Rafa Benitez has never beaten Birmingham in a league encounter and he will be keen to end that run as he looks to help his side climb up to fifth spot.

Benitez will make a late decision on the fitness of key duo Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard.

Torres has been playing through the pain barrier with a groin problem, while Gerrard has missed the last four games with a groin injury of his own.

Gerrard has returned to training, but Torres is the more likely of the two to start.

The Reds will be without suspended duo Jamie Carragher and Philipp Degen following their dismissals at Fulham last weekend.

Martin Skrtel is likely to replace Carragher in defence after recovering from injury, while Glen Johnson could also return from a knock.

Albert Riera and Fabio Aurelio could both figure after recovering from injury, but Martin Kelly misses out again with an ankle problem.

Alberto Aquilani could finally make his first appearance at Anfield after recovering from ankle surgery and most recently a virus.

The Italian is likely to be named on the bench and could be involved at some point in the game.

Birmingham make the trip to Merseyside without midfielder Barry Ferguson following his sending-off against Manchester City last time out.

Lee Carsley is likely to replace Ferguson in the midfield engine room for Alex McLeish's men.

Joe Hart is expected to return in goal in place of Maik Taylor as he was ineligible for the draw with his parent club Manchester City last weekend.

Garry O'Connor and Keith Fahey are both doubtful as they struggle with groin and knee problems respectively.

Possible starting XIs

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Insua, Benayoun, Mascherano, Lucas, Aurelio, Kuyt, Torres.

Birmingham: Taylor, Carr, R. Johnson, Dann, Ridgewell, Bowyer, Larsson, Carsley, McFadden, Jerome, Benitez.