Resurgent Liverpool face moment of truth

Liverpool FC may have stormed back into form on the European stage in midweek, but visit Manchester United FC on Saturday knowing anything less than a win will sound the death knell to hopes of hauling in the Premier League pacesetters and raise the prospect of a first English title in nearly 20 years.

Dramatic swing
Liverpool sat atop the standings at the start of 2009, seven points clear of their north-west rivals thanks in part to a 2-1 victory against them in September. The tables have completely turned in the Reds' eight games since, and now they find themselves trailing United by the same margin. While Liverpool have drawn four of those matches and lost one, Sir Alex Ferguson's side have won their last eleven top-flight fixtures and still have a game in hand.

'We can win'
However, Tuesday's 4-0 triumph against Real Madrid CF has reignited belief in Merseyside that Liverpool still might claim a first championship since 1990, denying United from joining them on a record of 18 English titles in the process. "We can have confidence about the game with United," Fernando Torres said. "We know it's very important to win there because, if not, they will be ten points ahead of us. We will see what happens, but we can win."

Springboard
That belief is coursing through the Anfield club, and Dirk Kuyt thinks the comprehensive triumph over Madrid can act as a springboard for his side. "We are already looking forward to Saturday," the Dutch striker said after Liverpool booked their UEFA Champions League quarter-final berth. "Obviously, United have had great results in their last few games and we will see what we can do. It would be great if we could beat them at Old Trafford and go from there."

Rooney anticipation
Beating United at home is no easy objective. Sir Alex's charges are unbeaten at Old Trafford this season, seeing off FC Internazionale Milano there 2-0 on Wednesday, and know that beating Liverpool will effectively end any hopes Rafael Benítez's side are harbouring of title glory come May. "They need to get the three points and they will be up for it but we certainly will be too," said Wayne Rooney. "If we beat them it will probably end their chances of winning the league. It's not a title decider, we are in pole position, but we know if we can deliver that will more or less end Liverpool's hopes of winning the league – I am very excited."

Ferdinand caution
If Rooney, a Liverpudlian who grew up supporting Everton FC, is confident, then Rio Ferdinand is slightly more wary. "They did very well against Real Madrid and got a great result; it is going to be a tough game," the 30-year-old centre-back said. "We still have games after that to win. If we beat Liverpool they are out of the running. Fingers crossed we can go out there and do a good job."

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