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LIVERPOOL FC: HANSEN: MASCHERANO KEY TO UNITED CLASH

Alan Hansen has pinpointed Javier Mascherano as the key to Liverpool's hopes of securing their first league win over Manchester United since 2004.

/noticias.info/ The former Reds defender believes Alex Ferguson's men will quite rightly be wary of the in-form duo of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, but feels the protective shield the Argentina international will provide to the defence will be just as important.

"If we look at Manchester United's meeting with Liverpool, it has all the ingredients to make a classic on paper and yet - because it is so tight and tension plays a huge part - it normally ends as a non-event," said Hansen.

"I believe the key will come at both ends. How will Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic fare against Fernando Torres, whose partnership with Steven Gerrard looks magnificent? How will Liverpool's defence cope with Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez?

"Torres and Gerrard have been superb, but no more influential than Javier Mascherano

"Liverpool are looking really good, and while all the bouquets are understandably being aimed in the direction of Torres and Gerrard, Javier Mascherano has really caught my eye.

"In the last five or six games he has been absolutely outstanding, giving great protection to Liverpool's back four.

This is where it looks like Liverpool have got the balance right - they have got Mascherano making them difficult to score against and Torres and Gerrard giving them potency going forward."

Hansen feels Torres has given Liverpool an added dimension in attack but is keen to see how the Spaniard copes against the United defence this time around, after what was a quiet performance by his standards during the 1-0 defeat against the red Devils at Anfield back in December.

"I will be very interested to see how Torres plays at Old Trafford because he didn't play well against Ferdinand and Vidic when United won at Liverpool," he said.

"He will have more space away from Anfield, so it will be intriguing to see how he fares.

"He has grown into the season, has pace to burn and has the capability to score goals of any kind."

Hansen expects Sunday's clash to be a tight affair and while recent history has seen matches decided in United's favour, he believes Liverpool's winning run will give them confidence they can secure an impressive victory.

"These games are usually decided by the odd goal - more often in United's favour in recent times - but Liverpool will go there thinking they can win." notas_de_prensa_archivo