Liverpool eager to turn red tide

Cherished record
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said this week that he expected United to soon overhaul Liverpool's record of 18 league titles, and since under his command they have won ten of their 17 championships since Liverpool's last triumph, it is not exactly a wild prediction. Liverpool fans are extremely unhappy about the prospect and, despite their continued European success, their regular failure to mount a serious domestic league challenge hangs above the club like a dark cloud.

'Screaming out'
"The fans are screaming out for it, the players want it and we need to deliver," captain Steven Gerrard said this week. "If we're out of the race again come January or February, there will be a lot of unhappy people around here. The city will explode if we win the league, and I don't want it to happen when I'm retired." Gerrard, who had surgery to fix a groin problem last week and missed both of England's opening FIFA World Cup qualifiers, is unlikely to make the game where both sides will expect to improve on some hesitant early-season displays.

Taking risks
Liverpool have lost five and drawn one of their last six home league games against United and have not managed a league goal against them at Anfield for almost five years. "Over the last couple of years we've gone into games against United and Chelsea [FC] very organised tactically – defensive if you like – and still lost 1-0," Gerrard said. "It's important a few risks are taken to try to score that goal against these teams because it gives you such a psychological boost."

Tottenham team-mates
With Fernando Torres also likely to miss out with a hamstring strain, Liverpool will hope Robbie Keane returns energised from his Republic of Ireland duties and ready to find the target for the first time following his move from Tottenham Hotspur FC. Keane's former Spurs strike partner Dimitar Berbatov is also set to feature in the game, making his debut for United after his deadline-day move. The pair equally shared 46 goals for the London club last season.

Berbatov debut
"We were very close, on and off the field at Spurs," Berbatov said. "We had an excellent understanding and I felt great playing with him. But every person follows his own path and I wished him well at Liverpool. I'm looking forward to the game. It will be hard for me because of the occasion and the expectations, but I'm used to the pressure."