Titans renew hostilities

Kenny Dalglish and Sir Alex Ferguson are set to renew their rivalry this Saturday when Liverpool welcome old foes Manchester United to Anfield in what is expected to be Reds captain Steven Gerrard’s first start of the season after a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a groin injury.

Premier League holders Manchester United make the short trip to Merseyside in the Premier League’s lunchtime kick off knowing that they haven’t won against their bitter rivals at Anfield in four years.

The teams respective Scottish managers are set to lock horns for only the third time since ‘King Kenny’ returned to his stomping ground in January after Roy Hodgon’s tenure in charge came to an abrupt end.

In a game regarded as one of the biggest in English football, Manchester United manager Ferguson admitted it was the biggest game of the season, even ahead of the Manchester derby.

“I have always considered it to be the game of the season in English football,” he said.

“It is all to do with the history of both clubs and cities.”

Both teams have started the campaign in confident fashion, with the Red Devils occupying the coveted top-of-the-table spot with rivals Manchester City, whilst Liverpool sit in fifth place and go into Saturday’s game on the back of their controversial 2-0 victory over city rivals Everton before the international break.

Liverpool will go into the match knowing that a victory will take them within three points of leaders United and they are set to welcome back influential captain Steven Gerrard to their starting line-up after the England international made his return as a substitute last month.

The Kop outfit will have no excuses for a poor performance in front of an expectant Anfield crowd as they have a fully fit squad to choose from for the first team this season.

United will hope to have captain Nemanja Vidic available for only the second time this season after the defender returned for national team Serbia in midweek, missing a vital penalty in the process.

The Old Trafford side also hope to welcome back experienced defender Rio Ferdinand to the first-team squad, although recently capped England defenders Phil Jones and Chris Smalling have given manager Ferguson a selection headache due to their fine form.

After star striker Wayne Rooney was sent off during England’s 2-2 draw against Montenegro, United fans will hope that the flamboyant forward can put his international woes behind him and continue his fine goal-scoring form which has seen him net 9 Premier League goals this season.

Andre Marriner will take charge of the historically heated affair and will hope to keep his name out of the headlines after his controversial performance in the same fixture two seasons ago which saw him send off Vidic and former Anfield midfield dynamo Javier Mascherano.

Key Man: Wayne Rooney – On the back of his three-match international ban which means he will miss England’s Euro 2012 group stage matches, the former Everton striker will have a point to prove hope to put his name on the back pages for all the right reasons.

Prediction: Liverpool 2 – 1 Manchester United; The Red Devils have lost three straight games at Anfield and with Liverpool unbeaten in front of their home games this season, I can see a potential upset and Liverpool ending United’s unbeaten start to the season.

Matt Maltby