Morientes primed for daunting debut

By Adam MacKinnon

Two of England's heavyweight clubs, Liverpool FC and Manchester United FC, meet this weekend as the Premiership resumes following last week's FA Cup action.

Morientes boost
Fernando Morientes could well make his Liverpool debut in the Saturday lunchtime match, as manager Rafael Benítez has indicated he will have no hesitation in throwing his new €9m Spanish signing in at the deep end against United.

'Right mentality'
Benítez said: "He has the mentality to go straight into a game like Saturday's if necessary." Speaking to uefa.com, the Reds' other Spanish forward, Luis García, added: "He will definitely improve the attacking options within our squad and if he makes his debut on Saturday he will come up against Rio Ferdinand, which will be a great battle." United have not scored in three matches and fifth-placed Liverpool can close the gap between the sides to four points with victory at Anfield.

London derby
Elsewhere, Tottenham Hotspur FC will be looking to continue their rich vein of form when they take on league leaders Chelsea FC at White Hart Lane. Tottenham are unbeaten in eight matches but face a Chelsea team who have not lost since October and, what is more, have not lost to their London rivals in 29 league matches dating back to 1990.

Bolton test
Second-placed Arsenal FC currently trail Chelsea by seven points and can ill afford to drop any points against Bolton Wanderers FC at the Reebok stadium. Sam Allardyce's side endured a run of ten matches without a win before victory over Birmingham City FC in their last Premiership outing but have lost none of their last four meetings with Arsenal.

Seeking form
Fourth-placed Everton FC will begin life without Thomas Gravesen, the Real Madrid CF-bound midfield player and a key performer for the Goodison club this season, when they visit Middlesbrough FC on Sunday. Elsewhere in the northeast, second-bottom Southampton FC travel to Newcastle United FC who should welcome back Alan Shearer and Patrick Kluivert from injury.

Norwich chance
Bottom side West Bromwich Albion FC are at Fulham FC, while the other team in the relegation places, Norwich City FC, will give a debut to record signing Dean Ashton when they visit an Aston Villa FC side who have won just once in nine games. Elsewhere, Villa's city rivals Birmingham City FC travel to Charlton Athletic FC, Manchester City FC welcome Crystal Palace FC and Portsmouth FC are at home to Blackburn Rovers FC.