Match Report: Manchester United 1 - 4 LiverpooL

Rafael Benitez might end up having the last laugh after all as his Liverpool side hauled themselves back into the title fight with a decisive crushing of 10-man Manchester United at Old Trafford.

The Merseyside giants battled back from a goal down to defeat the Premier League leaders in clinical fashion, Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard turning the match on its head before the break, with Fabio Aurelio and Andrea Dossena easing Liverpool well clear before the end.

In contrast, it was an day to forget for Nemanja Vidic, who gifted Torres the equaliser before being sent off against Liverpool for second time this season as Benitez's side reduced United's lead at the top to four points, albeit having played a game more.

It represented Liverpool's biggest win at United since 1936 and could yet trigger an amazing championship revival.

Liverpool were the ones who needed the win and there appeared an extra sharpness about them from the start, especially Torres who gave the Red Devils defence a torrid time.

Once Jamie Carragher had recovered his composure after being unsettled by a late switch to right-back because of Alvaro Arbeloa's late withdrawal, they had the edge in vital areas, the hosts no better than their nervy first-half display against Inter Milan in midweek.

Indeed, it was a surprise when United went ahead.

Pepe Reina read Carlos Tevez's through ball for Park Ji-sung well enough but came out too quickly for his own good. When the South Korean nicked the ball away, the Liverpool keeper could not stop.

And though Reina pleaded for leniency, referee Alan Wiley correctly pointed to the spot.

Ronaldo is not the type of player to waste such opportunities and duly dispatched his 17th goal of the season.

Had Sir Alex Ferguson's men been able to hold their advantage for a decent length of time, the visitors might have panicked. But five minutes later Liverpool were level thanks to a rare mistake from Nemanja Vidic.

The Serbian has been virtually foot perfect this season, so much so that he is favourite to win the PFA player of the year award.

But first Vidic let Martin Skrtel's long punt forward bounce when he could have headed it back into the Liverpool half quite easily. Then, he failed to deal with the loose ball, allowing Torres to nip in and streak clear, beating Edwin van der Sar with clinical efficiency.

Conceding one goal was amazing enough for the Red Devils, yet before half-time Liverpool had scored again.

Hull were the last team to score more than once against United in Premier League combat - and that was four-and-a-half months ago.

But when Torres tried to send Gerrard racing into the box and Patrice Evra mis-timed his tackle, the Liverpool skipper found he converted his penalty with the same confidence Ronaldo had shown earlier.

Gerrard's glee was obvious. And Liverpool's lead was fully deserved, condemning Ferguson to his first interval rallying call in league combat at Old Trafford all season.

The Scot injected a greater sense of urgency into his team, even if there was no improvement in their retention of the ball.

Carrick in particular was having a pretty bad day, twice putting his side in danger with wayward passes.

United at least managed to generate some momentum, with Tevez almost getting on the end of a Wayne Rooney knock-back and then rolling a shot on the turn just wide.

Having expressed his 'hatred' of Liverpool earlier in the week, the last thing Rooney wanted was to suffer an immediate defeat and a chance for Gerrard - a long-time friend - to gloat.

Yet as time ticked by, that was the fate Rooney was condemned to, especially as Ferguson waited until less than 20 minutes remained before he made the introductions of Dimitar Berbatov, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs.

It is the kind of strength Benitez does not have and one of the major reasons why Liverpool have found themselves on the wrong end of a 14-point swing in fortunes since United returned from their Club World Cup campaign in Japan just before Christmas.

What Liverpool have managed to do this season is beat Chelsea and United, against both of whom they have now registered 'doubles'.

Any hope United had, evaporated within a minute of Ferguson's spectacular triple substitution as another woeful first touch, again from Vidic, left the Serbian little alternative other than to haul down Gerrard.

For the second successive game against Liverpool, it brought Vidic a red card and he was still making his way down the tunnel when Aurelio curled home a superb free-kick.

And Liverpool were not finished as Andrea Dossena lobbed Van der Sar to complete a memorable win, whose significance remains unknown.

Liverpool And Spain Heading For Collision Course Over Fernando Torres

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres looks set to become embroiled in a club-versus-country row over his involvement in the Confederations Cup this summer.

The Spaniard has returned to form with a bang recently, after suffering an injury-plagued season that has restricted his appearances for Liverpool.

Yet goals against Real Madrid and Manchester United have seen ‘El Nino’ back to his very best, as the Reds have stormed into the quarter-finals of the Champions League and reignited the Premier League title race.

However, after a busy summer spent winning Euro 2008 with Spain last year, Torres looks set for another short holiday as he is likely to play some part in the Confederations Cup with Spain in June.

This is a scenario the Anfield outfit are reportedly less than happy with and, after watching Torres pick up several injuries on international duty, the club are adamant that he needs a complete rest at the end of the season.

This appears unlikely should, as is expected, Torres feature in the Confederations Cup and it may lead to conflict between club and country.

The News of the World reports that Liverpool are hoping Torres misses the tournament and quote a ‘Kop source’ as saying, “The Confederations Cup is the last thing Fernando needs this summer.

“It means he won’t get the long holiday and rest he needs.

“No one will try to stop Fernando playing in the competition, but everyone hopes he’ll make a sensible decision if he’s not fully fit.”

The former Athletico Madrid star has made just 12 Premier League starts for Liverpool this season, netting eight times.

Benitez: We Must Win Every Battle

Rafael Benitez has set Liverpool the target of winning all their remaining nine games if they want to wrestle the Premier League title away from Manchester United.

The Reds recorded their biggest win at Old Trafford since 1936 as they completed a 4-1 rout of Sir Alex Ferguson's men, who had Nemanja Vidic sent off near the end. It cut United's lead at the Premier League summit to four points, although they retain a game in hand.

"We have beaten Real Madrid and Manchester United in the same week," observed the Liverpool boss. "If we can beat them, we can beat anybody."

He added: "Realistically, we have to win all of our games. But part of winning the war is winning football matches.

"We have more belief and more confidence now. It will be difficult but we can do it."

Liverpool's win was more remarkable given Cristiano Ronaldo put the hosts in front from the penalty spot midway through the first half after Pepe Reina had sent Park Ji-sung tumbling.

But goals from Fernando Torres, a Steven Gerrard brace and Andrea Dossena's late lob capped a fine performance.

"Torres and Gerrard are obviously key players for us," admitted Benitez. "When they are on the pitch the rest of the team has more confidence."

It was a particularly pleasing result for Benitez given his recent outburst at Ferguson, now known as 'Rafa's rant'. Although it has been widely interpreted as a moment of folly, the Liverpool manager stands by his comments.

"What I said were facts," he said. "I did not say anything that wasn't true. Sir Alex Ferguson is a great manager and I have a lot of respect for him. But I have to defend my club."

Liverpool Defeat Hard To Take, Admits Sir Alex Ferguson

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson admitted he was bitterly disappointed after seeing his side thrashed 4-1 by bitter rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford.

The champions took the lead in the game courtesy of a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty.

However, goals by Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard, Fabio Aurelio and Andrea Dossena sealed Liverpool’s win.

Speaking to the club’s official website, Sir Alex conceded he was still smarting from the loss but insisted his side will bounce back.

“It’s a hard one to take,” said the United manager.

“But at this club it’s always about how you respond to a defeat. When you lose a game: respond. And that is what we will do.”

A mistake by Nemanja Vidic allowed Torres to equalise and the Serbian was later sent off for a foul on Steven Gerrard.

Yet Ferguson refused to point the finger of blame at his defender but conceded he had deserved to see red.

“Nemanja has been unbelievably consistent for us with his performances this season,” said the Scot.

“Players do have off days, and he’s made a mistake. He’s a human being, all players make mistakes. It’s just a costly one for us.

“It looked as if [Gerrard] was clear to have a shot at goal, whether Rio could have got across, I don’t know.

“I don’t think I could really argue with the decision to be honest. We’d have been looking for a red card if it was against us.”

The result reduces United’s gap at the top of the table to four points, albeit with a game in hand, and Sir Alex admitted it had been a bad day for the Red Devils.

“Quite rightly if you win 4-1 at Old Trafford you deserve all the plaudits, you can’t deny Liverpool that,” he said.

“But if the league was starting today, you’d take a four-point advantage with a game in hand.

“The goal difference is narrowed, it’s only five goals now. It was a bad day, but we have to kick on now. It was a bad day in terms of the goals we lost.”

Torres Is Key To Title - Gerrard

Steven Gerrard believes Liverpool can still win the Premier League, provided that Fernando Torres stays fit. The Liverpool captain hailed the scorer of their equaliser in the 4-1 win against Manchester United as the best player in the world.

"He's magic," Gerrard said. "I know I'm going to be biased but I don't think that anyone will argue against me that he's the best striker in the world. If we keep him fit from now to the end of the season it's going to be an exciting finish."

This was only the ninth time Gerrard and the Spanish striker have played together in the league, mainly because of Torres's injury problems. "It's frustrating not having him out there and playing alongside him," Gerrard said. "We have a good understanding. I believe that if we'd had him for more games we'd be closer or even in front of United."

"If we can play like that every week we can win more games and maybe win something else," Torres said. "Except it might be difficult to play like that every week."

Rafa Benítez had the last laugh on his United counterpart Sir Alex Ferguson – or at least he would have done had the Liverpool manager been willing to crack so much as a smile in his moment of victory.

This was the first meeting of the two managers since the dossier of complaints Benítez produced at the start of the year raised the stakes even higher than usual in the North West derby, yet not even sticking four goals on United and Real Madrid in the same week brought any outward sign of pleasure. Just as the Liverpool manager does not celebrate goals on the touchline he refuses to bask in the glory of a magnificent result, preferring to heap praise on his players and let the supporters do the singing and dancing.

"As a manager you have to be pleased with such a result, but a manager cannot win any game without good players," Benítez said, in response to being asked why he looked so glum. "The most important thing today was three points, not my first win at Old Trafford. It is still going to be very difficult to win the league from this position, we would have to win every game and hope United lose some, but at least we have more confidence. If we can beat Real Madrid and we can beat Manchester United then clearly we can beat anyone."

Of Gerrard and Torres's partnership, he added: "They are very big for us, when they are both on the pitch the team has more confidence. Consequently it is a big loss when one of them is missing, and that has happened too often this season. I want to congratulate all my team though. Our plan was to stop the United players who run between the lines, and that's what we did. We knew we had to win, we had no other option."

Ferguson put United's heaviest home defeat for 17 years (Queens Park Rangers, same score, New Year's Day 1992) down to a bad day at the office. "It was an off day, we made mistakes, and I didn't expect that," Ferguson said. "We accept we had a bad day in terms of the goals we lost but I don't think we played all that badly. The important thing now is to respond."

Steven Gerrard Gets His Revenge On Man Utd

Steven Gerrard admitted he was delighted to ram Manchester United's taunts back down their throats after he netted his first Liverpool goal at Old Trafford.

Gerrard thumped home the penalty which handed Liverpool the lead before they romped to a stunning 4-1 victory at the home of the Premier League champions and leaders.

And Gerrard admitted: "I have been lucky enough to experience winning here before but to score was nice - after all the stick I've had from Man United fans over the last 10 years, it was good to rub it in a bit.

"It is not often you see United getting beaten 4-1 at home - and hopefully this result will give other teams belief and prove to them that United are not unbeatable.

"They are a great team with great players, that is why they have been on such a great winning run, but we put in a great performance and the confidence is growing throughout all our side."

Liverpool had hammered Real Madrid 4-0 in the Champions League just four days earlier - but Rafa Benitez insists he will only be satisfied by winning trophies, not by emphatic individual results.

The Anfield chief said: "It's been a good week but the best weeks are when you win trophies. Beating Real Madrid and Man United are just two battles in the war.

"It is always very difficult to beat United and to score four goals against them is even more difficult but we have showed what can be done against them." Liverpool are still four points behind United, who have a game in hand. But Benitez said: "I am always realistic, but I'm optimistic too. I know United are still in a very strong position but in football anything is possible, so we could win every game.

"We've shown that United can be beaten if you contain them and keep things tight."

Asked about Sir Alex Ferguson's claim that United had been the better side, Benitez insisted the result was everything.

Benitez said: "Sometimes you are the better team and you win, sometimes you are the better team and you lose - but 1-4 is all that matters.

"After the first 30 minutes, I thought we played well and deserved the result. I'm very proud and pleased for the players, the fans and the club - but we have to continue with this form."

Ferguson promised his United side will bounce back. The Manchester United boss was clearly shellshocked after watching his side take a 22nd-minute lead through Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty - then concede four goals as Liverpool roared back through, Fernando Torres, Gerrard, Fabio Aurelio and Andrea Dossena.

Ferguson, who saw Nemanja Vidic sent off for a professional foul on Gerrard after 75 minutes, was defiant later, saying: "It's a hard one to take, but at this club it's always about how you respond. And we will, in the right way.

"It was one of those days. We made uncharacteristic mistakes and in big games you don't want to do that. If you see the consistency of our defending over the last two years, you don't expect it.

"But if the League was starting today I would take a four-point start.

The goal difference has narrowed to five but we have to kick on.

"We accept it was a bad day in terms of the goals we lost but I couldn't fault the display that much.""

Ferguson bizarrely claimed United were the better side - but he was critical of poor defending from his side who have built their challenge for five trophies this season on a mean back four. He said: "In terms of defending the last couple of years we didn't expect that kind of performance, and neither did the players.

"I thought we were really the better team but the scoreline didn't reflect that.

"But that's the name of the game, and when you win 4-1 at Old Trafford you deserve all the plaudits and you can't deny them that."

Ferguson refused to hammer Vidic, who gifted Fernando Torres an equaliser in a poor personal display by the Serbian.

"Nemanja has been unbelievably consistent for us this season. Players do have off-days," added Ferguson.

"He's a human being, all players make mistakes. It's just that this was a costly one for us."

And he had no complaints about Vidic's dismissal, saying: "It looked as if Gerrard was clear to have a shot at goal.

"Whether Rio could have got across, I don't know, but I couldn't really argue with the decision. We'd have been looking for a red card if it was against us.

"One or two of the players were a bit short in terms of what we expect but in general the football was good.

"The players kept driving on and showed good energy considering we only had two and a half days to prepare after Inter Milan."

Streetfighters Turn Tables On Front - Runners In Danger Of Losing Their Sheen

A recent review of Bruce Springsteen's latest album posited that The Boss is at his best when he has something to rail against. Liverpool are a bit like that. The job of league leaders suits them less well than the role of street fighters attacking the more rich and powerful.

Defiance is a deep strain in the culture on Merseyside. The Kop is a monument to resistance, in name and spirit. The defining expression of Liverpool's talent for overturning hierarchies was the great comeback in Istanbul, when they were 3-0 down to AC Milan at half-time in the 2005 Champions League final but won the game on penalties. The phoenix, more than the Liver bird, is their ornithological symbol. Only when Manchester United had pulled seven points clear in the Premier League title race did Rafa Benítez's men find a performance from the gods.

Whatever the odds were on Liverpool scoring eight against Real Madrid and the world and European champions inside five days, no punter would have taken them. The form book would have whispered dark truths about the post-Christmas draws with Stoke and Wigan and the defeat at Middlesbrough four days after they had beaten Real inside the Bernabeu.

Both Liverpools should go away for the weekend and try to come back as one. If they could translate their stomping form in the biggest tests to routine assignments then the 19-year wait for a domestic league title might have ended long ago. Proving that being backed into a corner is their favourite, masochistic mode, they went one down to a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty before swarming all over their oldest enemies, who have suddenly lost their sheen.

Against Internazionale in midweek, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs took a managerial rocket for their profligacy with the ball. Surrendering possession is a felony here and United were guilty of it often enough against Italy's champions to suggest that a rampant run of victories was drawing to a close.

This 4-1 thumping confirms that impression. It brought United's biggest home defeat since New Year's Day, 1992, when they were hammered by QPR. In two games, the diamond-precision of their passing has fallen away, the effervescence has dropped. This is entirely routine in a 38-game league campaign. But with Chelsea resurgent under Guus Hiddink and Liverpool back in iconoclastic mood, United will aim to bury the memory of two unconvincing displays and return to the heights of their 4-0 demolition of Fulham in the FA Cup.

That chance is only days away, because they go back to Craven Cottage on Saturday, while Liverpool face a much tougher trial at home to Aston Villa. "When you lose a game, respond. That's what we'll do," Ferguson said.

Specifically, Scholes, Giggs, Patrice Evra, Ronaldo and Michael Carrick are becalmed. Confronting Liverpool activates the self-destruct button in Nemanja Vidic, who was sent off in the corresponding fixture at Anfield and who, this time, allowed a long ball to bounce over his shoulder for Fernando Torres to score before being dismissed again for pulling Steven Gerrard down.

To think that "Rafa's rant" on 9 January against Sir Alex Ferguson's alleged power over referees caused Liverpool to go jelly-kneed at the top of the table is fanciful. Players do not read quotes from their leader and then decide to start drawing and losing games. Managerial milkiness was not the right diagnosis for Benítez's lament. It was badly timed, theatrical and pointless because it gave Ferguson a chance to mock his rival, but that sheet of A4 paper was no suicide note.

A more convincing explanation is that Liverpool found the unfamiliarity of their position at the head of the table anxiety-inducing, while the squad lacked the depth required to sustain Benítez's weakness for rotation. To be fully effective, Liverpool need Fernando Torres to be sizzling, as he was yesterday, haunting Vidic and Rio Ferdinand with twisting, flowing runs. Liverpool's equaliser may have appeared routine, but it required Torres to finish from a challenging angle against the normally impregnable Edwin van der Sar.

"Eleven v eleven, we were men today. It's not very often you see Man Utd get beat 4-1 at home," reflected Gerrard. Liverpool have now beaten Chelsea and United home and away and destroyed Real Madrid. To incite them to rebellion is fatal. "European Capital of Trophies" announced one United banner: an obvious play on Liverpool's role last year as European Capital of Culture. The joke self-detonated.

All through this campaign the probability of United drawing level with Liverpool on 18 league title wins has rumbled backstage. The red half of Merseyside still hold the initiative in European Cups won (5-3), but the 18 league championships have assumed a mighty psychological weight in the face of United's relentless advance.

Ferguson denies that leveling the score has been "a target", but it must drift through his dreams. Ending Liverpool's hegemony was his first task before Arsenal and Chelsea were lined up for the Glasgow kiss.

To the neutral it felt as if a remorseless machine had been halted, if only for a few days, and that Liverpool have recovered their poise after a couple of months of creeping neurosis. The title race became a test of character again instead of a procession.

Anfield Skipper Wants To Avoid Playing On Hillsborough Anniversary

Steven Gerrard has made a heartfelt plea to UEFA to ensure Liverpool avoid playing on the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.

The Anfield skipper lost a 10-year-old cousin among the 96 people crushed to death at the Leppings Lane End in 1989. And he is uncomfortable with the prospect of playing a Champions League quarter-final, second leg on April 15.

Gerrard said: “Our preference would be not to play on the anniversary. It should be a time that Liverpool FC remembers the people lost and their families.

“But if we are told to play, we will play. We just hope UEFA show some common sense.”

Liverpool have never had to play on the anniversary before but UEFA have so far offered no guarantees.

Spanish Giants Set For Summer Swoop

Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso have been targeted by Real Madrid in a £100million swoop.

The Spanish giants made the first moves for the Kop pair after they were humiliated at Anfield on Tuesday.

The nine-time European Cup winners are ready to value Gerrard at £80m after his display in their 4-1 demolition.

A summer upheaval is on the cards at the Bernabeu with former president Florentino Perez ready to assume control in the club elections.

And he has already drawn up a short-list of targets to pin to his ballot paper.

Gerrard is top of that list and the president-elect also wants his Anfield midfield partner Alonso to join him in the Spanish capital.

The England midfielder’s outstanding two-goal display against Madrid in midweek prompted Real legend Zinedine Zidane to acclaim him the best player in the world.

Significantly, Zidane is in line to become Real’s sporting director under the Perez presidency, working alongside current AC Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti.

Any move for Gerrard looks certain to be resisted by Liverpool and the skipper is committed to finishing his career on Merseyside.

But that won’t stop Madrid trying to prize him away for £80m if they sense his growing frustration with Liverpool’s ongoing internal squabbles and inability to end their title drought.

Ironically, Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez was believed to be the main target for Madrid but now it’s the Reds’ skipper who is their priority.

Gerrard has two years left on his Anfield deal and is due for renewed terms at the end of this season.

He has repeatedly made it clear he wants to stay at the club and complete his medal collection with an elusive Premier League title. But the club’s owners have also been consistently warned to end the in-fighting which has plagued Liverpool.

Gerrard has made no secret of his frustration with the public spats.

The Reds captain will turn 29 in May, ironically the same age as Zidane when he left Juventus for the Spanish capital.

Madrid will have high hopes of tempting midfielder Alonso back to Spain for £20m, especially as Benitez is expected to re-ignite his interest in Aston Villa’s Gareth Barry.

Match Preview: Manchester United vs. LiverpooL

For Manchester United, a win this weekend would all but guarantee them a third consecutive Premier League crown. They already sit seven points and a game in hand ahead of Liverpool and Chelsea, so three points against their North West rivals would all but decide the title race.

Funnily enough, the Red Devils began 2009 as outsiders on the domestic scene. Their sojourn in Japan for the Club World Cup - and the stuttering form of Luiz Felipe Scolari's Blues - allowed the men from Merseyside to gallop clear at the tabletop at the turn of the year.

But a run of 11 straight league wins since Boxing Day has seen United reclaim their perch at the summit of the standings. They will hope to continue that trend when they host the Reds on Saturday lunchtime, and none more so than Scouse striker Wayne Rooney.

"I grew up an Everton fan, my whole family are Everton fans and I grew up hating Liverpool – and that hasn't changed," the former Goodison Park hero said on Thursday.

"I think coming to Old Trafford will be a difficult game for them. They know they need to win, they need the three points. I'm sure they will be up for it and we certainly will be too.

"It will certainly end Liverpool's chances if we win and that's why we're looking forward to it."

United come into the clash in high spirits and surrounded by talk of a 'Quintuple' after their Champions League triumph over Inter, but their upcoming opponents should take even more confidence from their midweek exploits.

You wouldn't have known Liverpool were struggling for form if you watched their demolition of Real Madrid on Tuesday evening.

Having grabbed a 1-0 win in the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu thanks to an air-tight defensive display, the Mersey giants then proceeded to put four unanswered goals past a helpless Iker Casillas in the return fixture, thus booking their sport in the quarter-finals.

However, as is so often the case with Rafael Benitez's side, their European efforts are in no way reflective of their domestic situation. For example, the impressive victory in Spain two weeks ago was followed up immediately by a disastrous 2-0 defeat at Middlesbrough. Many would would tipping a similarly sluggish showing at Old Trafford this weekend.

Liverpool haven't fared especially well in their arch-rivals' den over the past few years; in fact, the last time they returned with three points in league play was in 2004, when Danny Murphy was the hero. However, they are yet to lose against a Big Four opponent this term, and they will hope to replicate their 2-1 victory over Sir Alex Ferguson's champions at Anfield earlier in the campaign.

The Reds, who have won just three league games since their 5-1 mauling of Newcastle United at the end of December, are well aware that defeat against United would end their title chase once and for all. And Martin Skrtel has assured the Kopites that they will be going all-out for the win.

The Slovakian centre-half, who starred against Los Blancos, said recently, "Any result other than a win would mean a definite end to our title hopes.

"Despite the point difference, we are going into the match with the goal of winning. We will see if we can do it but, one thing is for sure, we are in a good mood after beating Real."

And as United would draw level with Liverpool on 18 English championships should they win this season, there is no lack of motivation for Benitez's boys.


FORM GUIDE

Manchester United

Mar 11 Man United 2-0 Inter (Champions League)
Mar 07 Fulham 0-4 Man United (FA Cup)
Mar 04 Newcastle 1-2 Man United (Premier League)
Mar 01 Man United *0-0 Tottenham (Carling Cup)
Feb 24 Inter 0-0 Man United (Champions League)

Liverpool

Mar 10 Liverpool 4-0 Real Madrid (Champions League)
Mar 03 Liverpool 2-0 Sunderland (Premier League)
Feb 28 Middlesbrough 2-0 Liverpool (Premier League)
Feb 25 Real Madrid 0-1 Liverpool (Champions League)
Feb 22 Liverpool 1-1 Manchester City (Premier League)


TEAM NEWS

Manchester United

Ferguson's defence remains light on personnel, with Gary Neville, Wes Brown and Rafael da Silva all sidelined, but Rio Ferdinand is expected to start after coming through Wednesday's win over the Nerazzurri unscathed. The very capable Jonny Evans will be on stand-by.

Rooney is likely to partner Dimitar Berbatov in attack, although Carlos Tevez - who scored at Anfield in October - may well feature in some capacity.

Possible XI: Van der Sar - O'Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra - Ronaldo, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs - Berbatov, Rooney

Liverpool

Albert Riera should return to the starting lineup after missing the midweek mauling of Madrid through suspension. Ryan Babel will most probably make way, despite a bright showing against the Merengues.

Danish defender Daniel Agger is still hampered by a back problem, but Yossi Benayoun - who hasn't played since scoring at the Bernabeu last month - is a chance to make the squad as he recovers from a hamstring problem.

Possible XI: Reina - Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio - Mascherano, Alonso - Kuyt, Gerrard, Riera - Torres


PLAYER TO WATCH

Manchester United

After his controversial comments during the week, all eyes will be on Wayne Rooney as he attempts to kill off Liverpool's title hopes. The 23-year-old is perhaps not in the finest form of his career, but everyone knows what the former Evertonian is capable of.

Liverpool

At the other end of the park, Fernando Torres will be aiming to notch up his first strike against Man United. The ex-Atletico Madrid star has already shrugged one monkey off his back this week by netting against his old crosstown rivals, and he'll be the man the Reds look to as they attempt to re-enter the title race on Saturday.

Steven Gerrard: Liverpool Can Still Beat Manchester United To Premier League Title

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard insists the club will not rule out the possibility of winning the Premier League trophy this season until it is impossible to do so.

The Reds face the tough task of Manchester United away on Saturday evening. Although many might find it a daunting prospect, the England international views it as a chance to close the gap at the top of the table.

"United is a difficult place to go because they are a strong team with good players," Gerrard told the club's official website.

"This time around the game is bigger than it has been for a few years. If we can take maximum points off them then it will give us a better hope of getting back in the [title] race. There is everything to play for.

"We have to be confident. What's the point going into a game thinking you are only going to get a draw or a defeat? It's important we are positive.

"We have beaten them at Anfield this season and, although it's at their place this weekend, it's still a football pitch. We know if we play to our maximum potential then we can cause an upset."

When asked whether the Reds can still win the league, the 28-year-old replied, "There's still enough time for us because there are quite a few games left to play.

"While it's still possible myself and the players will continue to fight, there's no two ways about it. We won't give up until we can't do it.

"Manchester United have still got some tricky games, including against us. If we were to win every game and United don't slip up, then obviously there's nothing else we can do.

"We just have to make sure we stay on their tails and try to make the gap smaller. If they do make any mistakes, that's when we have to try to pounce."

Dutch Duo Vow To Deliver For Liverpool FC Against Man Utd

The build up to Liverpool’s annual visit to Old Trafford would not be the same without a steady stream of Liverpool players stating their belief that they can win at the home of one of their biggest rivals.

Last season, such brave words were made to look incredibly hollow as Liverpool slumped to a 3-0 defeat on an afternoon to forget for everyone associated with the Anfield club.

This time around though, hopes are high that deeds can match words – particularly after Tuesday night’s super show against Real Madrid.

Dutch duo Ryan Babel and Dirk Kuyt know just what a tall order it is to come up with any kind of victory against Manchester United, never mind an away win but they also believe should Liverpool hit the same heady heights they reached in their demolition of Madrid then they will give themselves an excellent chance of getting the result they crave.

“They are beatable”, insists Babel, who scored the winner when the two sides met at Anfield earlier this season.

“If we concentrate and play to our level then there is no reason why we can't beat Manchester United for a second time this season.

“It’s a game we have to win in terms of the title race. If we do that then hopefully our title chances will look different.

“After beating Real we will take a lot of confidence into the game.”

Critics will justifiably point to the fact that the last time Liverpool beat Real they followed it up with a shambolic display at Middlesbrough and the accompanying defeat put a massive dent in their hopes of winning the Premier League.

Two weeks on from that bleak day in the North East, Kuyt is hopeful that things will be different even though Alex Ferguson’s league leaders will be desperate to finish off their title dreams for another season.

He said: “We are very satisfied at making it through to the next round of the Champions League but it is also a very timely boost for our next game in the Premier League.

“If we can beat Real Madrid 4-0 at Anfield then at the very least we should have a chance on Saturday but we know it will be tough because Man United are a very good team who are challenging for a number of trophies.

“The first thing we have to do is to enjoy the win against Madrid, take the good things from that game and then we have to look ahead to the next match and try to get another good result.

“The confidence in the team is high at the moment as you would expect after such a good result in the Champions League.

“Everyone is talking about Madrid playing really badly but the win is also a great credit to our team because we worked really hard from the very start of the game and we deserved the result.”

As well as the afterglow of their midweek Champions League heroics, Kuyt is also looking back to events earlier in the campaign for inspiration.

Foremost in his mind are the results Liverpool have already earned against their fellow big four members, with the victory over United at Anfield being a particular cause for hope.

“In the last couple of seasons we haven’t done too well at Old Trafford so it is obviously time that we changed this,” he said.

“I think we have shown this season that whenever we have come up against big opponents we have managed to compete with them and have come up with some very good results.

“We managed to beat United at Anfield, we have beaten Chelsea at home and away and we have also managed to get a draw at Arsenal so hopefully we can do the same at Old Trafford.

“We know that a win is what we need and we also know that it will be very difficult to get the result that we are looking for but we will definitely be giving it a try.

The fact that United are yet to taste defeat at home this season shows what a tall order it is to win at Old Trafford and Kuyt acknowledges that the squad Alex Ferguson has put together has the kind of quality needed to challenge on all fronts.

The 28-year-old reluctantly admits that United could win a quintet of trophies this season but also believes that they could yet be derailed. He said: “They definitely have the quality but there is still a long way to go for them and a lot of games still to be played.

“If you look at the race for the title then obviously they have got a lot of points already and they have a good lead at the top of the table.

“This means that it will be difficult for ourselves and for Chelsea to catch them but it is football and you never know what might happen so you have to be prepared to fight to the death.

“Hopefully we can beat them and after that we will see how it is going.”

Asked which United players Liverpool need to be pay particular attention to, Kuyt issues an emphatic response – “all eleven!”

“But our job is to prepare for them in the time we have before the game and to make sure that we give everything to get the result that we are looking for.

“Another win would be great and if we are able to get that then we will see where we are afterwards.”

The belief is there, now Liverpool must go to Old Trafford and live up to their brave words.

Should they do so then their title dreams will not be extinguished and they could even be reignited.

Guus Hiddink Wants Liverpool Victory At Manchester United

Guus Hiddink has admitted to taking a highly partial stance when it comes to today's eagerly awaited Premier League heavyweight battle between Manchester United and Liverpool.

The Chelsea manager has revealed that he will be keeping a close eye on proceedings at Old Trafford, and that he is hoping for a victory for Liverpool that will provide a huge boost to his own team's lingering hopes of claiming the league title.

His Chelsea side face Manchester City at home on Sunday, aware that even with a hundred per cent league record under the Dutchman of three wins in three outings, they are still seven points behind United. Hiddink feels that the Blues will have to win every single remaining league match if they are to have any chance of catching Sir Alex Ferguson's Red Devils.

"Our first concern is our game of course against Manchester City," Hiddink told The Daily Telegraph.

"We have the possibility to watch. It will be a beautiful clash to watch and if Liverpool can do some harm then great because it will make for a more exciting end to the season. But United look very determined and if they win then they can do the same to Liverpool.

"When I said we could win the league we were on schedule at that time but United have not made any mistakes since and neither are we. Until it is impossible, then we will fight."

As for Didier Drogba, who has made something of a return to form since Hiddink's arrival at the club, the Dutchman refused to be drawn on what was different with the player, and also asserted that he had found no trace of the rumoured 'cliques' at the club.

"I don't know what is different," he said of Drogba.

"I only saw him in the World Cup, and after, not so much in person, but he is very committed for the team, he has responded very well to the team and contributes very well in the team.

"I didn't find any isolated group of players within the team. It's easy when you have won games to say as a manager that it has improved but I have not seen what happened before. It is more interesting to see the reaction when things have not gone well in one or two games than it is when you have won a few."

Martin O'Neill Suggests Gareth Barry May Yet Leave Aston Villa

The Villans boss has revealed the England midfielder might be allowed to leave if they fail to qualify for the Champions League this season.

Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry was strongly linked with a move to Liverpool last summer before the Reds eventually opted to sign Robbie Keane from Tottenham Hotspur.

It is thought that Rafael Benitez was extremely keen to take the England international to Anfield and the Merseyside-based outfit were reported to have made several offers to acquire his services.

However, reluctant to sell him, the Villans allegedly demanded as much as £18 million for the 28-year-old; a valuation that Liverpool were apparently unwilling to meet.

Whatever the actual ins and outs may have been, Barry remained at Villa Park while Republic of Ireland international forward Keane joined Benitez's squad for around £19m.

Subsequently, Barry has helped Aston Villa move into a Champions League qualifying position this season while Keane returned to Spurs in January following an unsuccessful spell with the Reds.

Villa manager Martin O'Neill has revealed that he would not stop Barry joining Liverpool this summer should they fail to secure a place in Europe's elite competition.

"Gareth has spent 10 years here," O'Neill is quoted as saying in The Daily Mirror.

"If we don't make the top four no-one could begrudge him a move. What happened to Keane isn't a marker for everyone."

Rant Did Not Cost Us Title, Says Rafael Benitez

Rafael Benítez pointed yesterday to the strength and depth of Manchester United’s squad, not his infamous rant at Sir Alex Ferguson, as the reason for Liverpool being leapfrogged at the top of the Barclays Premier League, but the manager is confident he can catch and overhaul the champions should he stay at Anfield.

Despite claiming in his press briefing yesterday that there was “no deadline” surrounding his contract talks, Benítez told Spanish media a day earlier that he has to “decide on my future in the next two weeks”.

However, as he prepared to take his team to Old Trafford this lunchtime for the biggest game of the season, the manager appeared to be looking to the longer term.

Benítez is prepared to concede the title if he does not secure his 100th win as Liverpool manager by beating United, who are seven points clear at the top and have a game in hand, but the Spaniard insinuated that he would not be discussing a new deal if he did not believe he could topple Ferguson’s team as the pre-eminent force in English football.

“If everybody is together and we can improve on and off the pitch — the team selection, commercially, everything, I think we can be closer [to United],” Benítez, who has 15 months to run on his contract, said. “This year has been better than before and we have been closer [to them]. You’ve been talking about the draws we’ve had [at Anfield], but if we’d scored just one or two goals more we could have four more points and would be closer still, so I think we can do it [overhaul United at the top], but we need to be more consistent.”

Benítez’s attack on Ferguson on the eve of his team’s goalless draw away to Stoke City in January, when he accused the United manager of wielding an unfair influence over referees, has been widely cited as one of the main reasons for Liverpool’s collapse. Boasting a ten-point advantage over United on December 28, albeit having played three games more, Liverpool have taken only 13 points from the 24 available after the Spaniard’s outburst at his counterpart at Old Trafford.

But the Liverpool manager was dismissive yesterday of suggestions that his remarks have contributed to his team’s poor domestic form, which has included draws against Stoke, Wigan Athletic and Manchester City and a defeat by Middlesbrough. “I do not regret saying anything and it did not have any effect on results,” Benítez said. “It had no influence on them winning their games in hand. It was the right time to say what I said. I do not believe my remarks — facts, not comments — have had any effect on the title race.

“I was reading some articles from different journalists about the size of the United squad and that for me is the main difference. There is a massive difference in terms of the two clubs and their squads.”

Although Benítez was adamant yesterday that United will go out in search of victory today, the onus is on Liverpool to attack, given that a draw would only play into their opponents’ hands.

Asked to explain why Liverpool could humiliate a team such as Real Madrid 4-0 in Europe at Anfield but only draw at home to sides such as Stoke, Fulham and Hull City in the league, Benítez suggested that his players had more difficulty breaking down opponents who “get ten men behind the ball”.

That is unlikely to be a problem Liverpool will face against United, however, and Benítez is hopeful that his players can replicate Tuesday’s performance against Real at Old Trafford today, even though they have struggled to rise to the occasion in past seasons. “Clearly we will try to play at the same level as we did against Madrid,” he said. “We will try to play with intensity and determination. We have to win if we want to reduce the gap.”

Wayne Rooney Warned To Expect Stick At Liverpool After 'Hate' Comment

Sir Alex Ferguson warned Wayne Rooney he will be Liverpool's Public Enemy No. 1 after admitting he" hated" Manchester United's title rivals.

Boss Fergie has told Rooney to expect fierce provocation and taunts from the Kop fans in the lunchtime kick-off at Old Trafford, which has been billed as the Premier League decider.

Ferguson admitted:" Wayne takes a lot of stick, he always does. But he's maturing. Wayne has had plenty of stick over the years playing against Liverpool, which is understandable given his loyalty to Everton as a kid and the fact he played for them.

“Now he's at United he wants us to win.

“So I don't think what he said was anything out of the ordinary. Everyone uses the word 'hate' - it's easy to say I 'hate' this or I 'hate' that.

It doesn't mean a lot. As revealed by Mirror Sport yesterday, United tried to silence Rooney by removing his remarks from their official website, fearing they could incite trouble. Despite that move, Fergie has still told Rooney to expect relentless abuse.

Reds Duo In Oranje Squad

Liverpool duo Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel have been called up to Holland's squad ahead of the resumption of their World Cup qualification campaign later this month.

The Reds pair are among five players from the Premier League to be named in Bert van Marwijk's 25-man provosional squad with Robin van Persie (Arsenal), Nigel de Jong (Manchester City) and Andre Ooijer (Blackburn) also included.

Celtic striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink was also named and could come up against some of his club team-mates with Oranje hosting Scotland in Amsterdam on March 28.

They will then welcome Macedonia to the Dutch capital three days later as they look to build on their five-point gap at the top of Group Nine.

Mascherano Give Refs Silent Treatment

Javier Mascherano has vowed to keep his head at Old Trafford later today – because he dreads doing anything to spoil Liverpool’s chances of reviving their title hopes by beating Manchester United.

The midfielder, appointed captain of Argentina by legendary boss Diego Maradona earlier this season, admitted he let Liverpool down when he was sent off in the corresponding fixture 12 months ago.

It came just weeks after boss Rafa Benitez finally landed his man in an £18.6m permanent deal, a year after ending his unhappy spell at West Ham by taking him on loan.

Liverpool went into that match on a high after completing a Champions League double over Inter Milan.

But with Liverpool trailing to a Wes Brown goal, Mascherano was booked by referee Steve Bennett just before half-time for chopping down Paul Scholes.

Then he was shown a second yellow for dissent and sent off – and United went on to win 3-0.

Mascherano claimed that all he had done was ask Bennett why he had booked Fernando Torres.

But the way in which he repeatedly demanded an explanation from the official left him in hot water.

Mascherano said: “I made a mistake last season and it was a very sad day for me.

“But I have learned the lessons and I know that it will not happen again.

“Now I am just trying to play for my team and I try not to talk any more with the referees.”

Tomorrow’s referee Alan Wiley can expect Mascherano to keep quiet.

But the midfielder was in ­trouble at Anfield on Tuesday when he was booked by Belgian referee Frank de Bleeckere for kicking the ball away during the 4-0 demolition of Real Madrid in the Champions League.

Replays showed that Mascherano kicked the ball as the official was blowing his whistle, not afterwards.

But the Argentinian is now banned for the first leg of the quarter-finals.

Mascherano said: “He told me I kicked the ball away, but I thought that I kicked the ball and then the whistle went.

“But we are happy because we played really well.

“It is not easy to beat a team like Real Madrid in the last 16 of the Champions League, especially not with a result like this.

“We are happy, but we know that it will be a difficult game on Saturday.

“We have to see if we can play the same way as we did against Real Madrid and then we will see what happens.”

Why Can't Liverpool FC Always Play Like They Did Against Madrid

It was the performance that set Anfield alight, made Europe sit up and take notice and earned Rafael Benitez the respect he craves for his Champions League achievements.

But it also begged the question: why on earth can’t Liverpool play like that every week?

Such was the paradox of Tuesday’s comprehensive dismantling of Real Madrid, a night to stand alongside the other great European occasions at the famous stadium.

“We played against a top side and Real Madrid are historically a team that is always attacking,” explains Benitez.

“We started the game really well, we were attacking and scored two goals so everything changed for Madrid, they needed to attack and we had more space.

“I think they were expecting us to play deep and on the counter-attack, so we changed the plan they were expecting, scored an early goal and were on top of them from the beginning.

“We’ve done the same against a lot of teams but the difference is they usually have 10 men behind the ball rather than being an offensive team trying to defend.”

And therein lies the problem for Liverpool. Bring on an attack-minded team, and they are far more likely to be picked off than the succession of obdurate opponents that have stifled Benitez’s men at Anfield this season.

It’s the reason Liverpool head to Old Trafford this afternoon seven points behind Manchester United in the knowledge that anything other than a first victory at the stadium under the Spaniard’s tenure will effectively extinguish their faint championship hopes.

United and Liverpool are the only two teams in the top-flight yet to be beaten at home this campaign.

But while the champions have dropped just two points on their own patch, Benitez’s men have let slip a damaging 12 points with home draws against Stoke City, Fulham, West Ham United, Hull City, Everton and Manchester City.

“It’s not the same when you play against a team who use 10 players behind the ball,” continues the Anfield manager.

“We’ve known for a while that teams do this against us so it’s not frustration – it’s just something we have to analyse. You have to score first against teams and the game will change.

“Don’t forget, Real Madrid started with a lot of attacking players, they are not compact and organised, they are always thinking about going forward so maybe we could win a lot of second balls.

“In the other games, when teams come to defend there are a lot of people around the ball and that makes it more difficult to find space.

“The question is how can we penetrate it? You have to be very precise. It’s not just a question of determination and high tempo, like we had against Real Madrid.

“You can keep your high tempo if you can keep your space and pass the ball. If you don’t have the space you have to make sure you don’t give the ball away. It’s not the same situation.

“We've done well against a lot of teams here at Anfield and for me the first goal makes all the difference. Against Sunderland as soon as we scored the first goal the game was open. Against Bolton we scored three goals.

“Do we need better players? We need to take our chances. And we have to create more chances.”

Of course, United are highly unlikely to park the bus in front of goal this afternoon as they aim to issue the last rites on Liverpool’s title aspirations.

It would be unfair to judge the long-term ambition of any Anfield revival on the outcome of this single encounter.

After all, Benitez has long bemoaned the gap in terms of finances and squad strength between Liverpool and United.

But the Spaniard refuses to accept the Old Trafford side cannot be overhauled – although he admits it will take a near-perfect effort from everyone at Anfield to achieve that feat.

“If we can do everything well, if everybody is together and we can improve on and off the pitch – the team selection, commercially, everything – I think we can be closer to United,” says Benitez.

“This year has been better than before, we have been closer. People have been talking about draws but just one or two goals and it could be four more points and we would be closer so I think we can do it but we need to be more consistent.

“This year we were very close to the top of the table for a long time and it depends on this game where we’ll be position wise.

“It has been really good, we made some mistakes but if we don’t make them in the future we will be closer. I think that the motivation will be different for everyone.

“We were doing well but if we’d had won those games we drew we would have been in a better position and maybe playing better at home. Everything is a struggle.

“Clearly we were in a better position than before, clearly we couldn’t be consistent so to be closer than other seasons and not be consistent is a pity.

“We have to fight for the rest of the season and if we can stay at the same position next season try to be consistent.”

Liverpool have won only six of their last 15 league games, but enter the supposed Theatre of Dreams buoyed by their midweek Champions League exploits.

And Benitez says: “We had confidence before the Real Madrid win, now the mood is even better, everyone is looking forward to the match.

“I do not believe United are untouchable, as has been suggested, clearly I believe we can win.

“If we can start with the same high tempo as we did against Real Madrid, and keep possession as well as we did, then we can win the game.”

Whether Liverpool can do it against everybody else, though, could determine how long the 19-year wait for a title goes on.

The Real Reason Liverpool Are Brilliant In The Champion League? Steven Gerrard Is A Vampire

After Liverpool’s impressive midweek demolition of a not at all impressive Real Madrid, talk is once again centering on whether Rafa Benitez’s prefers the Champions League to the day-to-day slog of the Premier League.

This talk will only get louder if Liverpool lose to Manchester United when the two teams meet at Old Trafford tomorrow lunchtime, which they probably will.

But I think I’ve figured out what the Merseysiders’ problem is, and it has nothing to do with the fact that they prefer playing in Europe than they do in Middlesborough.

It is this: they are vampires.

Think about it, it’s obvious. In daylight Liverpool are useless. They are weak and powerless, able to be outfought and outfoxed by teams such as Stoke City.

Place them under cover of darkness, though, and the team become invincible, devouring Spanish legends and Italian giants as if they were pale-skinned virgins.

It’s a surprise that at the end of the match the players don’t drive away in Aston Martins and Porsches but instead turn into bats and fly back to Cheshire.

A piece of advice for Liverpool’s next Champions League opponents. Don’t bother with scouting reports or team formations, instead stock up on wooden stakes and cloves of garlic.

If all this fails, the team in red – is it dye or is it blood? – will once more win club football’s grandest trophy in Rome on the 27th of May.

But look closely as Steven Gerrard kisses the cup.

You will not see a reflection staring back at him.