Portsmouth take on Liverpool at Anfield on Monday, 15 March, as they attempt to maintain their dominant status over the north westerners.

The last meeting between these 2 teams resulted in a 2-0 defeat of Rafa Benitez’s side, back in December of last year, a result that Portsmouth boss Avram Grant will definitely be scrapping for again.

His motivation will not only stem from this success early in the season but also from the obvious financial troubles of the Portsmouth club, who still linger at 20th place with just 19 points after suffering a points penalty for declaring their move to go into administration.

Yebda, Boateng, Utaka and Smith will not be appearing for the southerners due to various knee and groin injuries, however, Borre and Mokoena will be returning for the game at Anfield after enduring injury and Rocha will return to the pitch after serving his 2 game ban.

The possible Portsmouth starting 11 could be; ames, Finnan, Ben-Haim, Hreidarsson, Belhadj, Brown, Wilson, O’Hara, Webber, Piquionne, Dindane.

At 6th Place in the tables, Liverpool are at breaking point and lusting for more victories to drive them further to the top and the title. The game against Man City, which resulted in a 0-0 draw, is not the kind of performance Rafa Benitez will be expecting from his men against Portsmouth.

Benitez shared this on the ambitions of The Reds this season, ‘Now we are in a position where we have to think about the Europa League or to be in the top four.’

Skrtel and Aurello will be absent from the Liverpool squad due to injury but the team will be injected with some much needed motivation from the return of Rodriguez and Johnson with the possibility of Benayuon returning to the pitch pending a late fitness test.

Benitez commented on the nature of the Portsmouth side saying, ‘Portsmouth have good players, a good manager and at this moment they have nothing to lose so they will be dangerous.’

Despite Bentiez’ accurate portrayal of the Pompey squad they still suffer greatly from financial strife and the depression that is incurred due this process, but with a fairly good track record, on the pitch, under their belt The Reds could find this game at home a severe challenge, especially when considering the most recent result between these 2 sides.

The odds stand, in favour of Liverpool, at 4/1 with Bet365.com.