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LIVERPOOL FC: MAN UNITED V LFC PREVIEW

Rafael Benitez takes his Liverpool side to Old Trafford still looking for his first win against the Red Devils since taking charge in the summer of 2004.

/noticias.info/ The Reds boss may well have seen his team beat Alex Ferguson's men on the way to FA Cup glory in 2006 but in the league there have been a string of disappointments.

In seven matches we have lost six and drawn one, scoring just one goal in the process.

It's hardly inspiring stuff, but with Liverpool in magnificent form of late, the prospect of our 50th win against United in what will be the 150th league meeting between the sides, looks ever more possible.

The Travelling Kop will no doubt be out in force hopeful of securing our first win on enemy soil since Danny Murphy's penalty gave us a 1-0 victory back in April 2004.

Ahead of the match Rafael Benitez was in confident mood and hopeful of improving a run of poor results against the Red Devils.

"I think that as a manager I must be disappointed because every game we have played against them we have been really close to getting a result," said Rafa.

"We need to win and every year you must aim to get closer and I think that we are closer.

"We are in good form, the team has confidence and I think we can beat them. It will be tough but we have confidence and we will try to do our best."

The Reds boss has been boosted by the news that his only injury concern is long term victim Daniel Agger, and he will no doubt be hoping that Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard can maintain the free-scoring form that has propelled the Reds back into the reckoning.

For United, Alex Ferguson was initially faced with a selection headache as both Rio Ferdinand (back) and Edwin Van Der Saar (groin) were deemed doubtful after missing the last two matches - but there are suggestions the duo could well be fit in time for the match.

In attack Louis Saha picked up a knock in the midweek win over Bolton - although he too, is expected to be fit.

Spanish defender Gerard Pique could continue if Ferdinand is absent with Tomasz Kuszczak the likely deputy for Van Der Saar.

The United boss knows his side must keep winning if they are to maintain their three point lead at the top of the Barclays Premier League and is expecting a typically tense battle against Benitez's men.

"It will be a fantastically engrossing game against Liverpool," said Ferguson.

"You can't avoid the intensity of it, the tension, the atmosphere.

"It's the game that players always want to play in, so there will be some disappointed players tomorrow who are not involved.

"Having the squad I've got, I've just got to pick a team which I think is best to win the match."

With so much at stake it promises to be a truly full-blooded encounter and one thing's for sure - with United locked in a tussle for the title and Everton breathing down our necks for fourth - neither side can afford to lose. notas_de_prensa_archivo