On Sky
The seasons first real big one arrives on Saturday lunchtime as defending Champions and our bitter rivals ManU come to Anfield.
Vital Quotes: Rafael Benitez
‘They (Stevie Gerrard and Fernando Torres) are both much better,’ Rafa told Liverpoolfc.tv.
‘They came through a full training session this morning. It wasn’t a very hard session, but they will both be in the squad.
‘It’s important for us to have these two players of quality who can change a game.
‘I’m not surprised they are available because the medical staff have done a good job and the players have been working really hard with the physios to get fit.’
Liverpool Team News:
Stevie and Torres (as Rafa has said) are both fit after groin and hamstring problems respectively and are in the squad, and will most probably start, Albert Riera joins them and is primed to make his Reds debut. Lucas hasn’t returned from international duty in Brazil so he’s out.
Player to watch: Pepe Reina
Stevie or Torres? Too easy! How Pepe performs in our goal might well determine how well we do. If he has one of his really good days, so could we.
ManU Team News:
Owen Hargreaves and Michael Carrick look as though they’ll be fit to feature, but even though he is almost fit Cristiano Ronaldo isn’t ready for this match. Dimitar Berbatov looks set to make his ManU debut after signing at the end of the transfer window.
Player to watch: Wayne Rooney
He looked like he was returning to his best for England in the week, hopefully he has left this form in Croatia.
Match Facts & Stats
The Reds last six meetings with ManU:
Man Utd 3-0 Liverpool
Liverpool 0-1 Man Utd
Liverpool 0-1 Man Utd
Man Utd 2-0 Liverpool
Liverpool 1-0 Man Utd
Man Utd 1-0 Liverpool
Ref Watch:
Howard Webb will officiate.
Match Prediction:
Whatever way this match goes it is too early in the season for it a title decider, but we would be viewed as much stronger candidates should we come through this with a win, something we haven’t managed in the last four meetings with ManU, losing all four meetings. Liverpool 2 ManU 1 is my prediction.
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Next Fixtures:
Away to Marseille in the Champions League on Tuesday.
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