Arguably the most intense rivalry in world soccer and without doubt the most passionate in English soccer – Liverpool, England’s most successful club at home and abroad face their north-west rivals Manchester United tomorrow night (AEST), in what promises to be a cracking game.
Despite the decades-old battle for supremacy between these two fierce north-west rivals, Sir Alex Ferguson’s men travel to Anfield to play against the club he set out to emulate upon taking over the Red Devils some 20 years ago.
Ask any Liverpool fan what they want most and it's the league title, despite their memorable comeback Champions League win in 2005, their hearts are set on the league.
Under Rafa Benitez, Liverpool has failed to defeat Manchester United at home in the league, failing to score against the current European champions since September 2004.
Liverpool entertains United determined to end a miserable run against their arch-rivals despite their ordinary form so far this season.
To complicate matters further for Liverpool, they were set to go into the game without the dynamic duo of Steven Gerrard and Fernando "El Nino" Torres.
But both have since been declared fit, with Benitez praising the club's amazing medical staff for their timely recovery.
"It's important for us to have these two players of quality who can change a game," Benitez told AP tonight.
"I'm not surprised they are available because the medical staff have done a good job and the players have been working really hard with the physios to get fit."
United are still without their talisman Cristiano Ronaldo, who hasn't featured for the Red Devils this season, but Liverpool defender Alvaro Arbeloa believes the champions have enough firepower to cope without last season’s 42-goal man.
"United don't have Ronaldo - but they still have really good players like Nani, Carlos Tevez, Wayne Rooney and now Dimitar Berbatov. I really don't know if it will be easier without Ronaldo," Arbeloa told Liverpoolfc.tv
“I know how much of an important game it is for us and our supporters and we were all really disappointed. It is just as important for me as the supporters.
"I think this game is worth much more than three points.”
Two old pals line-up again at Anfield, this time for opposing teams, with Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane making the move to United and Liverpool from Tottenham this northern summer.
United fan Dan Sprague believes United go into the game as favourites, having won five out of the last six games at Anfield.
Berbatov is expected to start, with Sprague delighted to see the charismatic Bulgarian in his team’s colours.
“I'm hoping he can be the out-and-out goalscorer we've been looking for…”
If Liverpool are to have any hope of ending their 19-year wait to bring the English title back to Anfield, they will need to beat United, not because it represents three-points, but because of the moral victory and confidence it will instil in the team.