Manchester United Vs. Liverpool Match Preview

Rio Ferdinand is doubtful for Manchester United's clash with Liverpool on Sunday but Edwin van der Sar could feature.

The pair have both missed United's last two matches, defender Ferdinand with a back problem and goalkeeper Van der Sar with a groin injury.

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson was due to assess both players in training on Friday, along with striker Louis Saha.

The Frenchman sustained a knock in Wednesday's defeat of Bolton but is expected to be fit.

Spanish defender Gerard Pique could continue in Ferdinand's absence.

England full-back Gary Neville, who has been out for a year with groin and ankle problems, is close to a return after another run-out for the reserves on Thursday.

Ferguson is relishing the prospect of another ferocious battle with Liverpool.

Ferguson's side face a stern test of their title ambitions as their great rivals visit Old Trafford on the back of seven straight wins.

No love is ever lost between the two teams and this time, with just eight matches remaining, the stakes are high for both clubs.

United will hope to score a psychological blow ahead of the clash between closest challengers Arsenal and Chelsea later in the day while Liverpool are keen to cement their grip on fourth place.

On the face of it, Ferguson could be forgiven for wishing for more modest opponents than their fellow Champions League quarter-finalists, but the Scot insists he would have it no other way.

"We have got a big game, a massive game - I enjoy the madness of it. I love the Liverpool games and the players do,'' he said.

"They'll be anticipating a really difficult game, but they are the games you want to be playing in.''

Key to Liverpool's hopes will be Fernando Torres, the in-form striker who has scored 10 goals in his last eight matches and 27 in total this season.

Torres was once a target for Ferguson before Liverpool prised him away from Atletico Madrid and the United boss is well aware of the danger he poses.

Ferguson said: "For a first season in the premier division, he has to be very pleased with that. I'm sure Rafa's delighted with that return.

"I don't think he came here with any great doubts - he had a good record in Spain and is a Spanish international.''

The meeting of Torres and United's star attraction Cristiano Ronaldo, who has scored 33 goals this season, has been much hyped.

Ferguson said of the match-up: "It doesn't concern me at all.

"I'm only concerned about one player, and that's our man. I don't pay attention to these things.''

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has no new injury worries ahead.

Defender Daniel Agger is still out, having had a third operation on a broken metatarsal earlier this week. Benitez does not expect his return until next season.

Harry Kewell will captain Australia this weekend in Singapore, and although the midfielder has talked of still fighting for a new contract it seems likely now that he will leave Anfield this summer.

Benitez could field an unchanged side at Old Trafford, although he may use the experienced John Arne Riise in midfield ahead of Ryan Babel.

Defender Jamie Carragher believes the goalscoring double act of Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard can cut United down to size.

The tough defender will be at the heart of Liverpool's attempts to halt the free-scoring Cristiano Ronaldo and co - but he has great confidence in the Anfield club's 46-goal scoring duo.

"When you put great players together, you get results. Torres and Gerrard are certainly that, they are both very clever on the pitch,'' said Carragher.

"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.''

Carragher concedes Liverpool can only be seriously considered as a challenger for fourth place now and is aware they must continue their run of victories - which now stands at seven - if they are going to hold off Everton.

"Fourth place is obviously the aim now. We have to stay there, even if we know Everton are right in behind us,'' he added.

"They have had a great season and they are the main danger. They will look at how many games we have got left and believe we will drop points over the next few weeks.

"We have Manchester United and Arsenal away, and Everton at home in our next three league matches.

"We will see after those next three games where both teams are, but I expect it to be neck and neck right to the end of the season now.''