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Saturday, February 11, 2012

Match Preview: Manchester United v Liverpool

Team news

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that Tom Cleverley will be involved in some capacity this weekend.

The midfielder has been sidelined with an ankle injury since October, but he is expected to make the bench on Saturday.

Chris Smalling is also back in contention, but Nani (ankle), Anders Lindegaard (ankle), Nemanja Vidic (knee) and Michael Owen (thigh) miss out.

The game comes too soon for Phil Jones, but Ferguson is hoping to welcome him back into his plans for United's Europa League tie with Ajax.

Liverpool have no fresh injury or suspension concerns to contend with heading into the game.

Suarez was named on the bench for the goalless draw with Tottenham and Dalglish must decide whether to keep him out of the spotlight or return him to his starting XI.

Spanish full-back Jose Enrique is hoping to return to the Reds fold at Old Trafford and he will be given as long as possible to prove his fitness following a hamstring injury.

Lucas Leiva remains the only long-term absentee in the Anfield camp.

Match notes

Of all the barbs and negativity that have passed between Manchester United and Liverpool in recent months, Sir Alex Ferguson's claim that this encounter is a meeting between a team challenging for the title and one challenging for fourth will hurt Liverpudlians more than anything that has gone on since Patrice Evra reported Luis Suárez for racist abuse last October.

Football is the central issue for both clubs, but until Liverpool meet United as title rivals rather than also-rans, the sense of grievance will linger on Merseyside.

football formations

Red's Fury™ Prediction: MU 1-1 LIVERPOOL

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