Pressure has become the key word for Liverpool in the past month, Jamie Carragher has even turned to the man upstairs, but Portsmouth are in a significantly worse situation as the pair prepare to meet this weekend.
Ahead of Saturday's lunchtime kick-off at Fratton Park, it is difficult to imagine two sides in the Premier League whose seasons have drifted so badly off course since the beginning of the campaign.
In truth, financially-stricken Pompey already appeared in dire straights in the summer and since that time they have managed to get through three owners and two managers, with current boss Avram Grant replacing Paul Hart.
Rafa Benitez's Liverpool, meanwhile, are not involved in Friday's draw for the UEFA Champions League knockout stages and they sit sixth in the table only on goal difference, five points adrift of fourth-placed Aston Villa.
Every match for the Reds now almost takes on a must-win status and Carragher, who is set to make his 600th appearance for Liverpool, has therefore resorted to praying to God for a reward at the end of the season.
Grant has only one win since succeeding the sacked Hart, a recent appointment at Queens Park Rangers, in November but he has overseen a marked improvement in performances of the league's bottom club.
If West Ham lose to Chelsea on Sunday, Pompey could climb the division and their boss will be desperate for three points against a club he earned a UEFA Champions League semi-final win against when in charge at Stamford Bridge in 2008.
Last season's meeting was an epic as Liverpool grabbed a late victory on the South Coast and Pompey, who lost at Chelsea in midweek, will want to avoid a repeat, with their cause boosted by the return from suspension of Younes Kaboul.
Kevin-Prince Boateng and ex-Liverpool defender Steve Finnan both overcame viruses to start against Chelsea and should keep their places.
Liverpool are set to restore Fernando Torres to their first XI after the Spaniard was rested on the bench before essentially turning matchwinner in the 2-1 midweek victory over Wigan at Anfield.
Full-back Glen Johnson is fit to face his former club after he missed Wednesday's match with a hamstring problem.
Winger Albert Riera still has a hamstring injury and is not available, but Ryan Babel returns to the squad after an ankle complaint.
Possible starting XIs
Ahead of Saturday's lunchtime kick-off at Fratton Park, it is difficult to imagine two sides in the Premier League whose seasons have drifted so badly off course since the beginning of the campaign.
In truth, financially-stricken Pompey already appeared in dire straights in the summer and since that time they have managed to get through three owners and two managers, with current boss Avram Grant replacing Paul Hart.
Rafa Benitez's Liverpool, meanwhile, are not involved in Friday's draw for the UEFA Champions League knockout stages and they sit sixth in the table only on goal difference, five points adrift of fourth-placed Aston Villa.
Every match for the Reds now almost takes on a must-win status and Carragher, who is set to make his 600th appearance for Liverpool, has therefore resorted to praying to God for a reward at the end of the season.
Grant has only one win since succeeding the sacked Hart, a recent appointment at Queens Park Rangers, in November but he has overseen a marked improvement in performances of the league's bottom club.
If West Ham lose to Chelsea on Sunday, Pompey could climb the division and their boss will be desperate for three points against a club he earned a UEFA Champions League semi-final win against when in charge at Stamford Bridge in 2008.
Last season's meeting was an epic as Liverpool grabbed a late victory on the South Coast and Pompey, who lost at Chelsea in midweek, will want to avoid a repeat, with their cause boosted by the return from suspension of Younes Kaboul.
Kevin-Prince Boateng and ex-Liverpool defender Steve Finnan both overcame viruses to start against Chelsea and should keep their places.
Liverpool are set to restore Fernando Torres to their first XI after the Spaniard was rested on the bench before essentially turning matchwinner in the 2-1 midweek victory over Wigan at Anfield.
Full-back Glen Johnson is fit to face his former club after he missed Wednesday's match with a hamstring problem.
Winger Albert Riera still has a hamstring injury and is not available, but Ryan Babel returns to the squad after an ankle complaint.
Possible starting XIs
Portsmouth: James, Ben-Haim, Kaboul, Wilson, Hreidarsson, Piquionne, Yebda, Boateng, Brown, O'Hara, Dindane.
Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Agger, Carragher, Insua, Kuyt, Lucas, Mascherano, Aurelio, Gerrard, Torres.
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