Javier Mascherano has backed a Fernando Torres-inspired Liverpool to claw their way back into the title race tomorrow with victory at Old Trafford.
Liverpool, who are seven points adrift of Premier League leaders Manchester United, trailing second-placed Chelsea on goal difference, realise that they will probably have to beat Sir Alex Ferguson’s side on their own turf this weekend if they’re to have any realistic hopes of knocking the English and European champions off top spot and preventing them from equalling their all-time record title haul of 18 this season.
With so much at stake, Rafael Benitez’s men encouragingly warmed up for their Old Trafford showdown in fine style by demolishing Real Madrid 4-0 in the Champions League at Anfield on Tuesday night.
Liverpool were inspired by an impressive display from Torres, the former idol of Real’s neighbours Atletico, with the striker netting the opening goal and Mascherano has backed the Spanish international and his team-mates to put in a similar display against their North West rivals tomorrow.
The Argentinian skipper reckons that if Torres and Liverpool show the kind of form they displayed against Real then nobody will be able to stop them – not even United.
He said: "From the beginning we were on top of Madrid and we didn’t allow them to play.
"We are happy after that result.
"We know it will be really difficult to play United but we have to try to play in the same way we played on Tuesday.
"We played very well (against Real). Fernando Torres was unbelievable and hopefully on Saturday he can be the same.
"If we play like that in all the games, it will be difficult for any team to beat us."
Torres was an unused substitute during Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Manchester United in September – their first Premier League success over them during Benitez’s stewardship as the Anfield outfit started the season brightly and looked likely to record their first title success since English top flight football was rebranded.
Ironically, since manager Benitez launched into Old Trafford counterpart Ferguson with a verbal tirade in the New Year, Liverpool have dropped off the pace at the summit but Mascherano believes that their emphatic midweek victory over the Spanish giants has given boosted confidence in the camp.
He said: "In the last two or three years we have been playing against top sides and we have proved we can beat them.
"We are in the quarter- finals of the Champions League so the teams are really good but we know, if we play like we did against Madrid, we can beat anyone."
Mascherano is also determined to keep his cool when he returns to Old Trafford for the first time since losing his cool last season.
Just less than 12 months ago, the midfielder was sent off a minute before half-time for a second bookable offence when referee Steve Bennett cautioned him for dissent.
The 24-year-old exploded in rage at what he felt was an injustice and had to be escorted from the field by team-mates.
He was subsequently charged with improper conduct by the Football Association and received a two-match suspension in addition to his statutory one- game ban.
Liverpool, trailing 1-0 at the time, went on to concede a further two goals, but Mascherano insists he has learned his lesson and history will not repeat itself tomorrow.
"It was really difficult for me but I am sure that situation will not happen again", he said.
"We are in the title race and we need to think about winning there and then see what happens.
"First you have to win. The most important thing for us is to try to win and give the supporters a happy day."
Liverpool, who are seven points adrift of Premier League leaders Manchester United, trailing second-placed Chelsea on goal difference, realise that they will probably have to beat Sir Alex Ferguson’s side on their own turf this weekend if they’re to have any realistic hopes of knocking the English and European champions off top spot and preventing them from equalling their all-time record title haul of 18 this season.
With so much at stake, Rafael Benitez’s men encouragingly warmed up for their Old Trafford showdown in fine style by demolishing Real Madrid 4-0 in the Champions League at Anfield on Tuesday night.
Liverpool were inspired by an impressive display from Torres, the former idol of Real’s neighbours Atletico, with the striker netting the opening goal and Mascherano has backed the Spanish international and his team-mates to put in a similar display against their North West rivals tomorrow.
The Argentinian skipper reckons that if Torres and Liverpool show the kind of form they displayed against Real then nobody will be able to stop them – not even United.
He said: "From the beginning we were on top of Madrid and we didn’t allow them to play.
"We are happy after that result.
"We know it will be really difficult to play United but we have to try to play in the same way we played on Tuesday.
"We played very well (against Real). Fernando Torres was unbelievable and hopefully on Saturday he can be the same.
"If we play like that in all the games, it will be difficult for any team to beat us."
Torres was an unused substitute during Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Manchester United in September – their first Premier League success over them during Benitez’s stewardship as the Anfield outfit started the season brightly and looked likely to record their first title success since English top flight football was rebranded.
Ironically, since manager Benitez launched into Old Trafford counterpart Ferguson with a verbal tirade in the New Year, Liverpool have dropped off the pace at the summit but Mascherano believes that their emphatic midweek victory over the Spanish giants has given boosted confidence in the camp.
He said: "In the last two or three years we have been playing against top sides and we have proved we can beat them.
"We are in the quarter- finals of the Champions League so the teams are really good but we know, if we play like we did against Madrid, we can beat anyone."
Mascherano is also determined to keep his cool when he returns to Old Trafford for the first time since losing his cool last season.
Just less than 12 months ago, the midfielder was sent off a minute before half-time for a second bookable offence when referee Steve Bennett cautioned him for dissent.
The 24-year-old exploded in rage at what he felt was an injustice and had to be escorted from the field by team-mates.
He was subsequently charged with improper conduct by the Football Association and received a two-match suspension in addition to his statutory one- game ban.
Liverpool, trailing 1-0 at the time, went on to concede a further two goals, but Mascherano insists he has learned his lesson and history will not repeat itself tomorrow.
"It was really difficult for me but I am sure that situation will not happen again", he said.
"We are in the title race and we need to think about winning there and then see what happens.
"First you have to win. The most important thing for us is to try to win and give the supporters a happy day."
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