Liverpool-Manchester United Preview

Mar 19, 2010 - 4:32 PM ALEX CROOK STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has tipped in-form Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres to derail Manchester United's bid for a record-breaking fourth successive Premier League title at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Torres and Gerrard combined to lead Liverpool to a stunning 4-1 win over their arch rivals last season and both found the net during the Reds' 3-0 Europa League win over Lille on Thursday.

Argentinian international Mascherano is confident Rafael Benitez's side can stage a repeat performance this weekend.

Mascherano said: "Not too much has changed. Maybe we are more clinical than before and Fernando is back.

"Everyone knows his partnership with Stevie is really good for us and now we can look forward to a very important game on Sunday. We'll try to win for us, for the supporters and the club.

"We still have to improve and we can improve. The good thing against Lille was not conceding any goals, another clean sheet.

"We know we'll get a really difficult game because they're playing well, but it's a different game to the others because it's a derby. We'll need to show character and stay calm."

Liverpool boosted their hopes of Champions League qualification by thrashing Portsmouth 4-1 on Monday before their emphatic win over Lille three days later.

Captain Gerrard says manager Rafael Benitez's stinging criticism after their 1-0 defeat at Wigan earlier this month and fired up the Anfield dressing room.

Gerrard said: "Rafa is the manager and he has the right to criticise us at the right time. The reaction has been superb and we need to take that into the United game."

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will be furious if Gerrard plays an influential role after escaping a three-match ban for elbowing Portsmouth midfielder Michael Brown.

Ferguson has branded the FA disciplinary unit 'dysfunctional' after they refused to punish Gerrard over the incident.

The Red Devils boss said: "I didn't expect anything to happen to Steven Gerrard. It is a dysfunctional unit. I don't know what they are doing.

"There is no consistency for a start and I didn't expect to get any. I am not too bothered about it. They can do what they want down there. It is crazy at times."

Ferguson insists his side are not motivated by revenge following last year's thrashing at the hands of their bitter rivals.

The Scot, looking to overhaul Liverpool's record of 18 league titles, said: "We are on the road to winning the title and that is the most important thing.

"We have put ourselves in a good position and we know if we keep winning we will win the league.

"We have some hard games coming up \2013 starting on Sunday \2013 but we are playing well and believe we can do it."

United midfielder Michael Carrick expects the battle for the title to go right to the final day of the season.

The champions are two points ahead of Chelsea, having played a game more.

Carrick said: "I am sure it is going to go right down to the wire, so there is no way we will be taking our foot off the gas just yet."