Premier League Preview: Liverpool – Manchester United

It has been a tough week for Liverpool and manager Rafael Benitez who take on Manchester United on Sunday knowing that a win is vital if they are to get their season back on track.

Defeat last Saturday to Sunderland courtesy of the infamous 'beach ball' goal was followed by a dramatic Champions League defeat to Lyon in midweek and means the Merseysiders are now on their worst run for 22 years.

Another defeat, particularly to their bitter rivals, is almost unthinkable for Liverpool but Benitez has remained calm in the face of huge pressure this week and has instead insisted it is the “perfect game” for his side to bounce back.

Yet they may have to do so without their inspirational skipper Steven Gerrard who hobbled out of Wednesday’s game early on although their other talisman Fernando Torres is expected to be fit.

The Spaniard was crucial to Liverpool in last season’s emphatic 4-1 win over United at Old Trafford, however Reds fans will not need reminding that the Merseysiders beat their bitter rivals at Anfield last season without either Gerrard or Torres in the starting line-up.  

The visitors, meanwhile, warmed-up for the game with a comfortable victory over CSKA Moscow in the Champions League despite missing several key players.

Antonio Valencia grabbed the winner on a good night for the English champions who will know that a win at Anfield will leave them a massive ten points ahead of their rivals already.

Yet Sir Alex Ferguson has warned his players that form goes out of the window in games against Liverpool and has admitted that “anything can happen”.

One thing that does look certain to happen is the return of former Red Michael Owen to Anfield. With Wayne Rooney expected to miss out, Owen could indeed start the game although a hostile reception is anticipated.

FORM GUIDE

Last Five Results

Liverpool

Oct 20: Liverpool 1-2 Lyon
Oct 17: Sunderland 1-0 Liverpool
Oct 4: Chelsea 2-0 Liverpool
Sep 29: Fiorentina 2-0 Liverpool
Sep 26: Liverpool 6-1 Hull City

Manchester United

Oct 21: CSKA Moscow 0-1 Manchester United
Oct 17: Manchester United 2-1 Bolton
Oct 3: Manchester United 2-2 Sunderland
Sep 30: Manchester United 2-1 Wolfsburg
Sep 26: Stoke City 0-2 Manchester United

TEAM NEWS

Liverpool

Fernando Torres and Glen Johnson are expected to return after injury but Steven Gerrard remains a doubt and could miss the clash.

Possible Starting XI: Reina, Johnson, Skrtel, Carragher, Aurelio, Kuyt, Lucas, Mascherano, Riera, Benayoun, Torres

Manchester United

Wayne Rooney is a major doubt for the champions who will also be without Park Ji-Sung and Darren Fletcher however Ryan Giggs and Patrice Evra should return.

Possible Starting XI: Van der Sar, O’Shea, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Anderson, Giggs, Berbatov, Owen

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Liverpool – Fernando Torres

The Spaniard has been sorely missed in recent weeks but his return should give his team a much-needed boost.

'El Nino' gave Nemanja Vidic a torrid time the last time the two sides met and he will be hoping for more of the same as Liverpool aim to stop the rot.

Manchester United – Michael Owen

All eyes will be on Michael Owen should he, as expected, start the game in Wayne Rooney’s absence.

Despite having hit the winner in the Manchester derby, the United faithful have yet to really warm to the 29-year-old although another goal against Liverpool, at Anfield, could see him attain instant hero status at Old Trafford.

PREDICTION

It’s make or break time for Liverpool who can make up for a dire week with a win over their bitter rivals. An improved performance is certainly required but Benitez should have no problems motivating his players for the visit of United.

The Red Devils, however, have gone 11 games without a defeat and will be keen to avenge last season's defeats both home and away as well as inflicting more misery on the Anfield outs.

With protests expected to be staged before the game against the club's owners, a volatile afternoon awaits although you suspect both sides would not be too disappointed with a draw.

Liverpool 1-1 Manchester United

Gill Clark, Goal.com UK