Mark Lawrenson, BBC
Pick: 1:1
Fernando Torres and Glen Johnson are probably returning for Liverpool so that will be a huge boost. Torres is great for improving the atmosphere in the dressing room. The Reds lost four on the bounce but these things do happen. Strangely, this could be the best game to get them out of that slump - facing the enemies from 35 miles down the road!
I can't see anything apart from a draw which would stop the rot and would probably not be the worst result for United. We could be in for a feisty battle!
Paul Merson, Sky Sports
Pick: 0:2*
Liverpool ain't winning any football match without Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres. They are not even a quarter of the team when those two are missing. I watched them against Sunderland and they were lucky to only lose by one goal. Liverpool had a good 15-minute spell when they got their goal on Tuesday night, but apart from that Lyon were the much better team in that game too.
If Torres and Gerrard play I would pick Liverpool to win this game, but without them I would be very surprised to see them win.
If Wayne Rooney doesn't play then a lot will depend on Dimitar Berbatov for United. I watched him against CSKA Moscow and he gives you something when he's on the ball but the rest of the time it's like playing with 10 men. That Moscow game was a walk in the park for them, a bit like a pre-season game. It was a long journey, but it won't have taken much out of United.
*If Gerrard and Torres play then Liverpool will win 2-1. If they don't play then Man United will win 2-0. I can't see who would score for Liverpool if they don't play. Some of those lads are very lucky to be playing for Liverpool Football Club.
Alan Hansen, Telegraph
Pick: 1X
Rafa Benitez enters his 200th Premier League match in charge of Liverpool facing a mini-crisis after 4 successive defeats in all competitions for the first time in 22 years. Next up is a visit from the champions Manchester United with a possible 10-point gap looming between the teams if Sir Alex Ferguson’s side win.
There are serious injury doubts over key players in both camps. I do feel Liverpool have relied too heavily on both Gerrard and Torres in recent seasons but with a lack of depth in the Reds squad, there has been little choice. If both are available then Liverpool will be a totally different proposition for United but before writing off the Reds chances without them, it’s worth remembering that neither started last season’s 2-1 home league win.
Manchester United may be top but they are not firing on all cylinders themselves having struggled to pick up a win and a draw at home to Bolton and Sunderland respectively. Sir Alex’s team may have been picking up the points but they have been far from convincing in terms of the performances we have come to expect from them over the years.
A draw looks a relatively likely result with Liverpool sure to be pumped up for this encounter but the stats suggest this is unlikely. After all, Manchester United have gone 14 away league games without a draw and Liverpool haven’t drawn any of their last 21 league games home and away.
The pressure is on Liverpool and in particular Rafa Benitez but I have a feeling that with the Anfield crowd’s backing we could be in for an upset. However, with so many players possibly missing I will be covering my options with a home win and a draw as I don’t expect my old club to lose.
Simon Cambers, ESPN
Pick: Michael Owen to score last goal
The analysis - HERE
Team news
Liverpool's dire injury situation looks to be easing, with Fernando Torres (thigh) hopeful of returning. Glen Johnson (groin) is also close to a comeback, but Steven Gerrard is struggling with a similar problem.
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson claims Wayne Rooney faces an "uphill fight" to be passed fit. Rooney has missed the last two games with a calf injury. Darren Fletcher (groin) is a doubt, but Ryan Giggs and Patrice Evra return.
Match facts
Pick: 1:1
Fernando Torres and Glen Johnson are probably returning for Liverpool so that will be a huge boost. Torres is great for improving the atmosphere in the dressing room. The Reds lost four on the bounce but these things do happen. Strangely, this could be the best game to get them out of that slump - facing the enemies from 35 miles down the road!
I can't see anything apart from a draw which would stop the rot and would probably not be the worst result for United. We could be in for a feisty battle!
Paul Merson, Sky Sports
Pick: 0:2*
Liverpool ain't winning any football match without Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres. They are not even a quarter of the team when those two are missing. I watched them against Sunderland and they were lucky to only lose by one goal. Liverpool had a good 15-minute spell when they got their goal on Tuesday night, but apart from that Lyon were the much better team in that game too.
If Torres and Gerrard play I would pick Liverpool to win this game, but without them I would be very surprised to see them win.
If Wayne Rooney doesn't play then a lot will depend on Dimitar Berbatov for United. I watched him against CSKA Moscow and he gives you something when he's on the ball but the rest of the time it's like playing with 10 men. That Moscow game was a walk in the park for them, a bit like a pre-season game. It was a long journey, but it won't have taken much out of United.
*If Gerrard and Torres play then Liverpool will win 2-1. If they don't play then Man United will win 2-0. I can't see who would score for Liverpool if they don't play. Some of those lads are very lucky to be playing for Liverpool Football Club.
Alan Hansen, Telegraph
Pick: 1X
Rafa Benitez enters his 200th Premier League match in charge of Liverpool facing a mini-crisis after 4 successive defeats in all competitions for the first time in 22 years. Next up is a visit from the champions Manchester United with a possible 10-point gap looming between the teams if Sir Alex Ferguson’s side win.
There are serious injury doubts over key players in both camps. I do feel Liverpool have relied too heavily on both Gerrard and Torres in recent seasons but with a lack of depth in the Reds squad, there has been little choice. If both are available then Liverpool will be a totally different proposition for United but before writing off the Reds chances without them, it’s worth remembering that neither started last season’s 2-1 home league win.
Manchester United may be top but they are not firing on all cylinders themselves having struggled to pick up a win and a draw at home to Bolton and Sunderland respectively. Sir Alex’s team may have been picking up the points but they have been far from convincing in terms of the performances we have come to expect from them over the years.
A draw looks a relatively likely result with Liverpool sure to be pumped up for this encounter but the stats suggest this is unlikely. After all, Manchester United have gone 14 away league games without a draw and Liverpool haven’t drawn any of their last 21 league games home and away.
The pressure is on Liverpool and in particular Rafa Benitez but I have a feeling that with the Anfield crowd’s backing we could be in for an upset. However, with so many players possibly missing I will be covering my options with a home win and a draw as I don’t expect my old club to lose.
Simon Cambers, ESPN
Pick: Michael Owen to score last goal
The analysis - HERE
Team news
Liverpool's dire injury situation looks to be easing, with Fernando Torres (thigh) hopeful of returning. Glen Johnson (groin) is also close to a comeback, but Steven Gerrard is struggling with a similar problem.
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson claims Wayne Rooney faces an "uphill fight" to be passed fit. Rooney has missed the last two games with a calf injury. Darren Fletcher (groin) is a doubt, but Ryan Giggs and Patrice Evra return.
Match facts
- Liverpool beat Manchester United home and away in the league last season for the first time in seven years.
- United have won five and drawn one of their last seven visits to Anfield in the league and they have the best Premier League record of any club against Liverpool.
- Liverpool have lost four successive matches in all competitions.
- Liverpool have scored 15 goals in their four league matches at Anfield this season.
- Manchester United are on an 11-match unbeaten streak in all competitions. They have won 10 and drawn one.
- United are winless in their last four trips to Big Four opposition, losing three times, since a 1-0 victory at Liverpool in December 2007.
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