Simon Davies has warned his Fulham team-mates not to underestimate Liverpool on Saturday even without some of their star players.

Liverpool face a Champions League semi-final against Chelsea three days later and the likes of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres could be rested for the game at Craven Cottage.

Rafael Benitez, the Liverpool manager, fielded a weakened team for the same fixture last season and Fulham took advantage by scraping a narrow victory that ultimately kept them in the Barclays Premier League.

The Spaniard's decision infuriated other clubs embroiled in the relegation battle and Fulham will be hoping a similar scenario unfolds at the weekend.

"It's a boost when you see the opposition's teamsheet and they have left out their star names," Davies said. "Funnily enough we're in a similar situation to last year. Liverpool came down here with a weakened team and we managed to nick the win to stay in the league.

"But whoever Liverpool put out it will be a tough match - they proved that in the Premier League at Arsenal a couple of weeks ago."