Rafael Benitez has put out a very attacking line-up for today’s Premier League ‘˜Grand Slam Sunday’ clash with arch-rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Fernando Torres starts up front, supported by Steven Gerrard, Ryan Babel and Dirk Kuyt. Benitez has opted to start Jamie Carragher and Martin Skrtel in central defence, with Sami Hyypia making the subs bench.
Fabio Aurelio is preferred to John Arne Riise, who famously scored ‘œthat’ goal against Manchester United earlier in his career, at left-back.
Liverpool: Reina, Aurelio, Carragher, Skrtel, Arbeloa, Mascherano, Alonso, Gerrard, Babel, Kuyt, Torres. Subs: Itandje, Hyypia, Riise, Benayoun, Crouch.
In the build up to the game today, Jamie Carragher has said he believes the key to a Scouse success over the Mancs today will be down to the formidable partnership between Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.
The pair have been in fantastic form this season, notching up 46 goals between them and inspiring Liverpool to seven consecutive victories going into this afternoon’s nailbiting clash.
And Carragher believes the Gerrard/Torres show will shine today. He says, “When you put great players together, you get results. Torres and Gerrard are certainly that, they are both very clever on the pitch.
“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.”
The game kicks off at 1.30pm and is live on Sky Sports One. Benitez is looking for his first league victory over United since taking over as Liverpool manager in the summer of 2004.
