Liverpool meet Manchester United at the Theatre of Dreams on Saturday, kick-off at 12:45 hours (GMT). The Reds require a victory over their North-West neighbours to close the gap on the league leaders to just four points. Both teams arrive on the back of Champions League wins. Liverpool destroyed Real Madrid 4-0 at Anfield with a goal from Torres, whilst their Premier League opponents defeated Inter Milan 2-0 in on Wednesday.

Alex Ferguson’s side have put together an impressive 16 game unbeaten run since losing to Arsenal in November. The defending champions defeated Newcastle 2-1 away in their last Premier League fixture to notch-up their 11th straight league win.

The Reds for their part beat Sunderland 2-0 in their previous Premiership match; a game the Liverpool number ‘9’ had to watch from the sidelines as the striker was still recovering from his ankle injury.

Fernando Torres, who scored on his return to first-team action with a goal versus Real Madrid, hopes to be fully fit for this weekend’s top of the table clash: "I feel good. My ankle felt a little bit painful in the second half but that doesn't matter in a match like this. We will work hard from Wednesday morning and I think I will be 100 per cent for Saturday."

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney believes that victory for the Red Devils on Saturday will end Liverpool's title challenge. “We’re in pole position and know if we can beat Liverpool then that’ll more or less end their chances of winning the league. I’m very excited about the game because I grew up as an Everton fan hating Liverpool, that hasn’t changed! They also know they need the three points and I'm sure they'll be up for it - we certainly will be.”

The last meeting between the two teams at Old Trafford saw Liverpool comfortably beaten by the Red Devils. The Merseysiders fell behind to a Wes Brown goal before Mascherano was sent-off after seeing a second yellow card. Second-half goals from Ronaldo and Nani completed the scoring for the home side.

In the corresponding fixture at Anfield, Liverpool came from behind to beat Manchester United 2-1. Fernando Torres started the North-West derby on the bench alongside Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard as the Merseysiders went a goal down in the third minute. Dimitar Berbatov chased a long ball before squaring back from the byeline for Carlos Tevez to shoot past Reina.

The Merseysiders equalised through an own goal from Wes Brown, before second-half substitute Ryan Babel crashed home the winner in the 77th minute.

A defeat for Liverpool on Saturday would leave them 10 points adrift, with only 27 to play for; meanwhile a win for United would move the Mancunians closer to a third successive Premier League title.


Photo: J.A. Sirvent