Manchester United-Liverpool Preview

Oct 23, 2009 - 4:51 PM MARK HENDRY STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Gary Neville claims he will not be care if Manchester United lose at Liverpool on Sunday as long as the champions retain their Premier League crown.

United were beaten home and away by Liverpool last season but still pipped Rafael Benitez's side to the trophy.

Captain Neville said: "Liverpool may have beaten us twice last season but I would not say we are looking for revenge.

"When the top teams play against each other it seems to go through cycles and teams have good and bad results.

"We know anything can happen in these kind of games, the main thing is not losing.

"The most important thing at the end of the season is winning the league and we are delighted we won it last season.

"I suppose we would rather lose both games again and win the league than beat Liverpool and not win the title."

United are hoping midfielder Darren Fletcher and striker Wayne Rooney will recover from groin and calf injuries respectively.

Neville is desperate for Rooney to be fit, saying: "Sir Alex Ferguson said Wayne could easily be one of the best players in the world.

"Personally I would not swap him for anybody because he has such a big influence on our team. He is a fantastic all-round player.

"Wayne obviously has great skill but he also has incredible team qualities \2013 his work rate, his defending and his scoring qualities all stand out."

Liverpool manager Benitez has urged his freefalling side to stay calm as they bid to save their stuttering season.

The Reds have lost their last four matches and another defeat would leave them ten points behind league leaders United.

Benitez said: "The main thing going into these games is to stay calm.

"You cannot afford to think too much about if you win or lose before you have even played the game. That does not help.

"It is very important when you play against the top sides to show character and belief. That is what we must do against United on Sunday."

Liverpool have already suffered four league defeats in their opening nine games \2013 twice as many as in the whole of last season.

Benitez refuses to accept a United victory would end the Merseysiders' hopes of claiming a first championship in two decades.

"This season the top sides will lose more games. I am sure of that," said the Spaniard.

"We will see more teams losing points against teams that they have perhaps been used to winning against.

"Yes, our position could be better at this stage of the season but it is too early to be worried about it.

"The main thing is to keep working to improve the team. That is the priority now while not thinking too much about the table."

Captain Steven Gerrard looks certain to be sidelined after limping out of Tuesday's 2-1 Champions League defeat at home to Lyon.

Benitez is boosted by the return of defender Glen Johnson and striker Fernando Torres.