FULL TIME: Pompey were given a glimmer of hope when Benjani scored, but a Torres brace secured the victory for Liverpool who recovered brilliantly from their two successive defeats.
89
Taylor goes for goal again with another trademark long-range shot and again does not hit the target.
87
Mattew Taylor strikes an ambitious free-kick from over 35-yards out and unsurprisingly fails to trouble Reina.
86
Torres is given a standing ovation as he is substituted for Lucas Leiva
84
Goal
LIVERPOOL 4 - 1 PORTSMOUTH: Gerrard's cushioned header picks out FERNANDO TORRES who nets his second of the game with an emphatic volley.
81
The game seems all but over now and both sides seem to be settling for the scoreline.
79
Benjani is picked out in a decent position but the linesman flags for offside.
77
Babel bursts forward and curls an inviting cross into the box, but it is headed clear at the near post by Kranjcar.
75
Harry Kewell receives a rapturous applause as he leaves the field for Fabio Aurelio.
75
Torres has looked sharp all day and gets behind the defence again, but is pulled back for offside.
73
Substitution
Sulley Muntari makes way for Matthew Taylor
71
Everyone is trying their luck now, with Mascherano letting fly from long range only to send his shot straight at James.
69
After a slight uncertain spell, the home side are back on top of the game now and look as though they will see this one through.
67
Goal
LIVERPOOL 3 - 1 PORTSMOUTH: A fine pass from Mascherano picks out Babel. The Dutch winger' shot is turned away by James, but only as far as FERNANDO TORRES who keeps his cool to slot the ball home.
65
Kewell strikes a shot sweetly from 30-yards but it sails over the crossbar.
63
The scorer of Liverpool's first goal, Yossi Benayoun, leaves the field to be replaced by Ryan Babel
61
The game has gone a little quiet again and Benitez looks as though he will look to the bench for inspiration.
59
A Gerrard free-kick finds the head of Hypia who forces a fine save out of James from 6-yards.
57
Benjani's ninth goal of the season has put his side right back in contention and the travelling fans are making all the noise now.
55
Goal
LIVERPOOL 2 - 1 PORTSMOUTH: Kanu breaks and slots a pass through to BENJANI who easily knocks the ball past Riise and slots the ball home.
53
A free-kick picks out Hreidarsson who gets his head to the ball but directs it wide of the mark.
52
Another blow for Harry Redknapp as Mendes goes to ground holding his knee after a challenge from Kewell.
50
Muntari runs at goal, deciding not to pass to a team-mate and eventually runs into trouble
48
Liverpool pick up the ball and and catch Pompey on the break but the final shot from Benayoun is blocked by Distin.
47
An encouraging start for the visitors but Diop's shot is sent over the crossbar.
46
Let's see if these two former Arsenal players can make a difference, though they may need an early goal to drive them forward.
46
Substitution
Glen Johnson presumably did not fully recover from that earlier injury and makes way for Lauren.
46
Substitution
Nwankwo Kanu replaces John Utaka to make two up-front.
Second half
The sides emerge for the second-half and Harry Redknapp has changed things around a little.
Half time
HALF TIME: Benitez will go in the happier manager at the interval, though expect a better performance from the visitors after Redknapp tries to sort them out.
44
Yellow Card
Arbeloa is cautioned after a late challenge on Kranjcar.
44
Pedro Mendes hits an ambitious effort from long range but drags it wide of Reina's goal.
42
The free-kick comes to nothing as Gerrard's cross is cleared by a Pompey defender.
41
Liverpool win a free-kick in a dangerous position after a blatant handball from Distin.
39
Kuyt strikes a shot wide of the target from the edge of the box.
36
Benayoun gets another chance on the edge of the area but this time skews his shot wide. Has the Israli international looked up earlier, he would have seen several team-mates wide open in the box.
34
Yellow Card
Hermann Hreidarsson picks up a booking for a foul on Benayoun in the centre circle.
32
Torres is everywhere today and the opposition players look anxious every time he picks up the ball.
30
Muntari urges his side forward as he breaks with the ball, but his final cross is straight into the arms of Reina.
28
Gerrard tries to slide a pass through to Kuyt but the striker is not on the same wavelength and the ball runs behind for a goal-kick.
25
The game has quietened down now and Liverpool seem to have their foot off the pedal after picking up those two early goals.
23
The visitors do not look like getting back in the game at the moment and are not seeing much of the ball.
21
Despite being two goals up, the home fans are still quiet inside Anfield.
20
Yellow Card
Diop picks up the first booking of the game for a rash challenge on Mascherano.
19
Gerrard lets fly from just outside the box but fails to find the target.
17
Torres is giving the Pompey defence a torrid time at the moment as his side go in search of another goal.
15
Own Goal
LIVERPOOL 2 - 0 PORTSMOUTH: Torres starts another move. He looks for a team-mate with a pass, but it hits SYLVAIN DISTIN and finds it's way into the back of the defender's own net.
12
Goal
LIVERPOOL 1 - 0 PORTSMOUTH: Torres attacks the space where Johnson should be. The ball ends up at the feet of Kewell who finds YOSSI BENAYOUN on the edge of the box to fizz a volley into the back of the net.
10
Johnson is moving a little gingerly after that challenge and has to leave the field for treatment.
9
Torres bursts down the flank again before ecutting an inviting pass back into the box. Kuyt looks certain to score, but James and Johnson dive at the ball and manage to deflect it behind for a corner.
7
Papa Bouba Diop tries his luck from long range but his shot sails straight down the throat of Pepe Reina.
6
A Gerrard corner causes all sorts of problems before Harry Kewell gets a shot away but fails to trouble former Liverpool player David James.
4
Fernando Torres takes on Glen Johnson on the left flank and his cross is put behind for a corner.
3
The home side put together a pacey move started by Steven Gerrard. Sol Campbell's headed clearance falls for Javier Mascherano, but he makes a mess of his shot and almost hits the corner flag.
2
Dirk Kuyt runs at goal and rides two challenges before Sulley Muntari puts in a strong tackle.
1
The visitors win an early corner and take it short, but the final ball comes to nothing.
1
The visitors have possession but Niko Kranjcar is dispossessed on the edge of the Liverpool penalty area. The atmosphere is a little subdued around the stadium at the moment.
Kickoff
Mike Riley gets the game underway. The odds are firmly stacked against Pompey, who have not won at Anfield in 50 years.
LIVERPOOL STARTING XI: Reina, Arbeloa, Hyypia, Carragher, Riise, Benayoun, Gerrard, Mascherano, Kewell, Torres, Kuyt. SUBS: Itandje, Voronin, Aurelio, Babel, Lucas
Awaiting Kickoff
Harry Redknapp on the other hand makes just one change to the side that lost to Spurs - with Hermann Hreidarsson taking Noe Pamarot's place in defence
Awaiting Kickoff
Rafa Benitez makes 9 changes to the Liverpool side that lost at Chelsea midweek: Itandje, Hobbs, Sissoko, Alonso and Crouch are all out of the squad, while Itandje, Aurelio, Lucas, Voronin and Crouch drop to the bench.
Liverpool
Portsmouth
Full time
FULL TIME: Pompey were given a glimmer of hope when Benjani scored, but a Torres brace secured the victory for Liverpool who recovered brilliantly from their two successive defeats.
Taylor goes for goal again with another trademark long-range shot and again does not hit the target.
Mattew Taylor strikes an ambitious free-kick from over 35-yards out and unsurprisingly fails to trouble Reina.
Torres is given a standing ovation as he is substituted for Lucas Leiva
Goal
LIVERPOOL 4 - 1 PORTSMOUTH: Gerrard's cushioned header picks out FERNANDO TORRES who nets his second of the game with an emphatic volley.
The game seems all but over now and both sides seem to be settling for the scoreline.
Benjani is picked out in a decent position but the linesman flags for offside.
Babel bursts forward and curls an inviting cross into the box, but it is headed clear at the near post by Kranjcar.
Harry Kewell receives a rapturous applause as he leaves the field for Fabio Aurelio.
Torres has looked sharp all day and gets behind the defence again, but is pulled back for offside.
Substitution
Sulley Muntari makes way for Matthew Taylor
Everyone is trying their luck now, with Mascherano letting fly from long range only to send his shot straight at James.
After a slight uncertain spell, the home side are back on top of the game now and look as though they will see this one through.
Goal
LIVERPOOL 3 - 1 PORTSMOUTH: A fine pass from Mascherano picks out Babel. The Dutch winger' shot is turned away by James, but only as far as FERNANDO TORRES who keeps his cool to slot the ball home.
Kewell strikes a shot sweetly from 30-yards but it sails over the crossbar.
The scorer of Liverpool's first goal, Yossi Benayoun, leaves the field to be replaced by Ryan Babel
The game has gone a little quiet again and Benitez looks as though he will look to the bench for inspiration.
A Gerrard free-kick finds the head of Hypia who forces a fine save out of James from 6-yards.
Benjani's ninth goal of the season has put his side right back in contention and the travelling fans are making all the noise now.
Goal
LIVERPOOL 2 - 1 PORTSMOUTH: Kanu breaks and slots a pass through to BENJANI who easily knocks the ball past Riise and slots the ball home.
A free-kick picks out Hreidarsson who gets his head to the ball but directs it wide of the mark.
Another blow for Harry Redknapp as Mendes goes to ground holding his knee after a challenge from Kewell.
Muntari runs at goal, deciding not to pass to a team-mate and eventually runs into trouble
Liverpool pick up the ball and and catch Pompey on the break but the final shot from Benayoun is blocked by Distin.
An encouraging start for the visitors but Diop's shot is sent over the crossbar.
Let's see if these two former Arsenal players can make a difference, though they may need an early goal to drive them forward.
Substitution
Glen Johnson presumably did not fully recover from that earlier injury and makes way for Lauren.
Substitution
Nwankwo Kanu replaces John Utaka to make two up-front.
Second half
The sides emerge for the second-half and Harry Redknapp has changed things around a little.
Half time
HALF TIME: Benitez will go in the happier manager at the interval, though expect a better performance from the visitors after Redknapp tries to sort them out.
Yellow Card
Arbeloa is cautioned after a late challenge on Kranjcar.
Pedro Mendes hits an ambitious effort from long range but drags it wide of Reina's goal.
The free-kick comes to nothing as Gerrard's cross is cleared by a Pompey defender.
Liverpool win a free-kick in a dangerous position after a blatant handball from Distin.
Kuyt strikes a shot wide of the target from the edge of the box.
Benayoun gets another chance on the edge of the area but this time skews his shot wide. Has the Israli international looked up earlier, he would have seen several team-mates wide open in the box.
Yellow Card
Hermann Hreidarsson picks up a booking for a foul on Benayoun in the centre circle.
Torres is everywhere today and the opposition players look anxious every time he picks up the ball.
Muntari urges his side forward as he breaks with the ball, but his final cross is straight into the arms of Reina.
Gerrard tries to slide a pass through to Kuyt but the striker is not on the same wavelength and the ball runs behind for a goal-kick.
The game has quietened down now and Liverpool seem to have their foot off the pedal after picking up those two early goals.
The visitors do not look like getting back in the game at the moment and are not seeing much of the ball.
Despite being two goals up, the home fans are still quiet inside Anfield.
Yellow Card
Diop picks up the first booking of the game for a rash challenge on Mascherano.
Gerrard lets fly from just outside the box but fails to find the target.
Torres is giving the Pompey defence a torrid time at the moment as his side go in search of another goal.
Own Goal
LIVERPOOL 2 - 0 PORTSMOUTH: Torres starts another move. He looks for a team-mate with a pass, but it hits SYLVAIN DISTIN and finds it's way into the back of the defender's own net.
Goal
LIVERPOOL 1 - 0 PORTSMOUTH: Torres attacks the space where Johnson should be. The ball ends up at the feet of Kewell who finds YOSSI BENAYOUN on the edge of the box to fizz a volley into the back of the net.
Johnson is moving a little gingerly after that challenge and has to leave the field for treatment.
Torres bursts down the flank again before ecutting an inviting pass back into the box. Kuyt looks certain to score, but James and Johnson dive at the ball and manage to deflect it behind for a corner.
Papa Bouba Diop tries his luck from long range but his shot sails straight down the throat of Pepe Reina.
A Gerrard corner causes all sorts of problems before Harry Kewell gets a shot away but fails to trouble former Liverpool player David James.
Fernando Torres takes on Glen Johnson on the left flank and his cross is put behind for a corner.
The home side put together a pacey move started by Steven Gerrard. Sol Campbell's headed clearance falls for Javier Mascherano, but he makes a mess of his shot and almost hits the corner flag.
Dirk Kuyt runs at goal and rides two challenges before Sulley Muntari puts in a strong tackle.
The visitors win an early corner and take it short, but the final ball comes to nothing.
The visitors have possession but Niko Kranjcar is dispossessed on the edge of the Liverpool penalty area. The atmosphere is a little subdued around the stadium at the moment.
Kickoff
Mike Riley gets the game underway. The odds are firmly stacked against Pompey, who have not won at Anfield in 50 years.
Awaiting Kickoff
PORTSMOUTH STARTING XI: James, Johnson, Campbell, Distin, Hreidarsson, Utaka, Diop, Pedro Mendes, Muntari, Kranjcar, Mwaruwari. SUBS: Begovic, Lauren, Nugent, Taylor, Kanu
Awaiting Kickoff
LIVERPOOL STARTING XI: Reina, Arbeloa, Hyypia, Carragher, Riise, Benayoun, Gerrard, Mascherano, Kewell, Torres, Kuyt. SUBS: Itandje, Voronin, Aurelio, Babel, Lucas
Awaiting Kickoff
Harry Redknapp on the other hand makes just one change to the side that lost to Spurs - with Hermann Hreidarsson taking Noe Pamarot's place in defence
Awaiting Kickoff
Rafa Benitez makes 9 changes to the Liverpool side that lost at Chelsea midweek: Itandje, Hobbs, Sissoko, Alonso and Crouch are all out of the squad, while Itandje, Aurelio, Lucas, Voronin and Crouch drop to the bench.