Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard and striker Fernando Torres have both been passed fit to face Manchester United at Anfield on Saturday.
Torres had been sidelined with a hamstring injury, while Gerrard underwent minor groin surgery last month, but both completed a light training session at Melwood on Friday and have been included in the squad.
They are both much better,'' manager Rafael Benitez told the club's official website.
"They came through a full training session. It wasn't a very hard session, but they will both be in the squad.
"It's important for us to have these two players of quality who can change a game.
"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.''
Defender Fabio Aurelio believes the team can learn from past mistakes against the champions as they go in search of a long-awaited victory.
Lapses in concentration have allowed the Red Devils to take 10 points from their last four visits to Anfield and manager Rafael Benitez has yet to win a league match against Liverpool's bitterest rivals since arriving at Anfield in the summer of 2004.
Aurelio knows the players have to retain their focus for the entire match if they are to finally overcome Sir Alex Ferguson's side.
"If we remember the two games at home against them in the last two seasons we were better than them in my opinion,'' the Brazilian left-back, who played in both matches against United last season.
"We conceded a goal against them from a free-kick in the last minute and last season they scored from a corner. This shows that we have to concentrate at all times,'' he told the club's website liverpoolfc.tv.
"We have to be 100% on our game and try to show character. We need to show them how difficult it is to play at Anfield. We need to try to change the history.
"In recent years it has been difficult against them but we have a great opportunity to change that on Saturday.''
Owen Hargreaves and Michael Carrick return to United's squad while Cristiano Ronaldo is primed for a Champions League comeback against Villarreal at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed his entire first-team squad is now fit ahead of the Anfield trip but that Ronaldo would not travel as he completes his recovery from ankle surgery.
However, Hargreaves, who has been troubled by a tendinitis problem, and Carrick, who also missed England's victories over Andorra and Croatia with an ankle injury, will be involved as United look to continue their recent stranglehold in meetings with their bitter north-west rivals.
Dimitar Berbatov is in line for his debut for the club following his £30million move from Tottenham with just minutes to spare on transfer deadline day.
However, a dramatic day only received further fuel with confirmation City had a bid accepted by Tottenham which is believed to have been in excess of the sum United eventually paid.
Once they realised Berbatov was committed to joining the Old Trafford outfit, City went elsewhere, eventually persuading Robinho to move from Real Madrid for an incredible £32.5million, smashing the British record transfer fee.
It appears to be the start of a revolution at Eastlands. But it also seems City might have more trouble attracting the players they want given Berbatov's stance.
"I would not even have thought about Manchester City,'' said Berbatov. "My only goal was to come to Manchester United.
"My ambitions and goals are big and I want to fulfil them at the biggest club in the world.
"I heard about the offer Manchester City made and the money they want to spend.
"I was surprised but it did not make any difference to me. I just wanted to come here.
"That was my only goal - and I achieved it.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Liverpool v Man Utd: Preview
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