Sven Goran Eriksson has picked four Liverpool players in his squad to face Portugal at Villa Park on September 7th.

Strikers Emile Heskey and Michael Owen are joined by the fit again Steven Gerrard and Danny Murphy. Both midfielders missed the world cup due to injury but have started the new season on top form, Murphy having already scored twice against Southampton and Blackburn.

There was however, no place for Jamie Carragher. The young utility player has yet to recover from surgery over the summer and has not yet featured this season.

Reds goalkeeper Chris Kirkland has been named in David Platt’s under 21 squad to face Yugoslavia at the Reebok Stadium.