Updated: March 22, 2008, 10:08 AM ET
Rio Ferdinand is doubtful for Manchester United's clash with
Liverpool on Sunday but Edwin van der Sar could feature.
The pair have both missed United's last two matches, defender
Ferdinand with a back problem and goalkeeper Van der Sar with a
groin injury.
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson was due to assess both players in
training on Friday, along with striker Louis Saha.
The Frenchman sustained a knock in Wednesday's defeat of Bolton
but is expected to be fit.
Spanish defender Gerard Pique could continue in Ferdinand's
absence.
England full-back Gary Neville, who has been out for a year with
groin and ankle problems, is close to a return after another
run-out for the reserves on Thursday.
Ferguson is relishing the prospect of another ferocious battle
with Liverpool.
Ferguson's side face a stern test of their title ambitions as
their great rivals visit Old Trafford on the back of seven straight
wins.
No love is ever lost between the two teams and this time, with
just eight matches remaining, the stakes are high for both
clubs.
United will hope to score a psychological blow ahead of the
clash between closest challengers Arsenal and Chelsea later in the
day while Liverpool are keen to cement their grip on fourth
place.
On the face of it, Ferguson could be forgiven for wishing for
more modest opponents than their fellow Champions League
quarter-finalists, but the Scot insists he would have it no other
way.
"We have got a big game, a massive game - I enjoy the madness of
it. I love the Liverpool games and the players do,'' he said.
"They'll be anticipating a really difficult game, but they are
the games you want to be playing in.''
Key to Liverpool's hopes will be Fernando Torres, the in-form
striker who has scored 10 goals in his last eight matches and 27 in
total this season.
Torres was once a target for Ferguson before Liverpool prised
him away from Atletico Madrid and the United boss is well aware of
the danger he poses.
Ferguson said: "For a first season in the premier division, he
has to be very pleased with that. I'm sure Rafa's delighted with
that return.
"I don't think he came here with any great doubts - he had a
good record in Spain and is a Spanish international.'' The meeting
of Torres and United's star attraction Cristiano Ronaldo, who has
scored 33 goals this season, has been much hyped. Ferguson said of
the match-up: "It doesn't concern me at all. "I'm only concerned
about one player, and that's our man. I don't pay attention to
these things.'' Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has no new injury
worries ahead. Defender Daniel Agger is still out, having had a
third operation on a broken metatarsal earlier this week. Benitez
does not expect his return until next season. Harry Kewell will
captain Australia this weekend in Singapore, and although the
midfielder has talked of still fighting for a new contract it seems
likely now that he will leave Anfield this summer. Benitez could
field an unchanged side at Old Trafford, although he may use the
experienced John Arne Riise in midfield ahead of Ryan Babel.
Defender Jamie Carragher believes the goalscoring double act of
Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard can cut United down to size. The
tough defender will be at the heart of Liverpool's attempts to halt
the free-scoring Cristiano Ronaldo and co - but he has great
confidence in the Anfield club's 46-goal scoring duo. "When you put
great players together, you get results. Torres and Gerrard are
certainly that, they are both very clever on the pitch,'' said
Carragher. "Torres stretches defences and Gerrard gets into the
hole behind; Stevie then is able to produce the passes for Fernando
to run on to. "It is not something we work on too much in training,
it is just two top players getting together and the combination
works.'' Carragher concedes Liverpool can only be seriously
considered as a challenger for fourth place now and is aware they
must continue their run of victories - which now stands at seven -
if they are going to hold off Everton. "Fourth place is obviously
the aim now. We have to stay there, even if we know Everton are
right in behind us,'' he added. "They have had a great season and
they are the main danger. They will look at how many games we have
got left and believe we will drop points over the next few weeks.
"We have Manchester United and Arsenal away, and Everton at home in
our next three league matches. "We will see after those next three
games where both teams are, but I expect it to be neck and neck
right to the end of the season now.''
