RAFA AND STEVIE'S PRE-MATCH NOTES

It's the morning of our biggest game of the season so far and Rafael Benitez and Steven Gerrard have been sharing their pre-match thoughts in today's official matchday programme. Read their views online now.

Welcome to Anfield for what is always one of the biggest games of the season here. Matches against Manchester United take on added importance for the club and our fans. Of course, Everton are our immediate local rivals but Liverpool versus Manchester United is also considered a derby match because of the rivalry between the supporters and the fact both clubs are typically fighting for top honours each year. We know United are a team that will be up at the top of the table each season, so it is important for us to try and get three points against them. They're also a team that doesn't concede many goals. Neither do we and, although our record against them has not been great in recent years, the games have often been very close. The key to the outcome of these matches often comes down to a small detail and scoring first can make a massive difference. Last year's corresponding fixture was a good example of this when a combination of mistakes and bad luck led to the winning goal. We failed to close down a short corner quickly enough. As the defence moved out, we had a man on the back post playing Carlos Tevez onside who then scored. You can't afford to make mistakes at this level and we need to be more aware this afternoon. Other factors came into the defeat at Old Trafford last season but if you think we finished 11 points behind United, a couple of wins against them would have resulted in a 12 point swing. Clearly, we know we have to be better against the top three sides in the Premier League. Four points from a possible 18 against them last season wasn't good enough. If we want to be title contenders we need to improve against these sides. Winning these games is not just about points though. It can give the team confidence to take into forthcoming games. A win today would do exactly that going into Tuesday's Champions League game against Marseille. United have quality throughout their squad, something they've added to with the signing of Dimitar Berbatov. Berbatov was their only notable addition this summer. But when a team has enjoyed the success United did last season, you don't need to make too many changes. They paid a lot of money for Berbatov who will bring quality to a squad that has been strengthened gradually in recent years. I'm happy with the players we have brought in before the transfer window closed. We've set out to improve the full-backs and our movement going forward from the wide areas. Andrea Dossena and Phillip Degen have the offensive mentality we're looking for and we've also strengthened in attack with Albert Riera, Robbie Keane and David N'Gog. In terms of points and where we are in the table, I'm happy with our start to the season. Still, everyone knows we can improve and play much better. It is easier to keep the team winning if we are playing better, something we will be striving to do today. Rafael Benitez At the time of writing these notes I'm still not sure whether or not I'm going to be fit enough to play a part in today's game. I've got my fingers crossed and we'll have our answer when George reads the teams out. I'm desperate to play; alongside the Merseyside derby today's game is the fixture I look for when they're announced in June. The rehab from my groin operation has gone well and I was able to train a bit with the boys this week in the build-up to the game. But the season is about 38 league games, another dozen cup games – hopefully – as well as the European Cup campaign. If I'm not 100 per cent ready and able to make an impact on the game then I won't play – it's as simple as that. That doesn't mean I'm not champing at the bit to be out there on the pitch and playing my part in what we hope will be a Liverpool win. They're great games to be involved in – if you win. If you lose, it's hellish. But we're not even thinking about that this afternoon. In the last two fixtures between us and United here at Anfield they've won the games without having to do too much. Both teams have virtually cancelled each other out and we've been undone by a couple of mistakes. They haven't been great games to watch as spectacles for the fans – especially our fans who've seen us lose both times. We've been hard done by in a way, but at the same time not playing at anything like the level we know we are capable of playing at hasn't helped us either. It's been a long time since we won against United here at Anfield, and today's the ideal time to change that. Talking about it here or in the dressing room won't achieve anything – we've got to go and do our talking on the pitch. The first goal in these games is everything, and it would be a massive thing if we could begin at a high tempo, get ahead early, and really take the game to United. Both teams have spent a bit in the transfer market over the summer, and with us and United knowing each other so well then maybe it's these players who will be the difference. United spent a lot on Berbatov on deadline day and he's a top quality striker. When you add him to Rooney and Tevez then that's a strong unit. But so is the Carragher and Skrtel partnership and in Pepe we've got the best keeper in the Premier League so we're confident we can keep whoever is in the United team quiet. But we want them worrying about us going forward. The most important goal Robbie Keane will ever score for us is the first one. After that goes in – and we all hope it's today – then they're going to flow. He's got the full support of the fans, the boss and the lads because we see how well he's playing outside the box, we see the effort he's putting in selflessly for the team and we know he's too good to run dry for long. We believe we've got game winners all over this team. Robbie will be ready for kick-off, and so will the rest of the boys. Steven Gerrard

JAMIE CARRAGHER ON TODAY'S BIG GAME

As Rafa and the boys prepare for one of the biggest games in world football, Liverpoolfc.tv caught up with vice-captain Jamie Carragher to quiz him on the match, Cristiano Ronaldo and our record of 18 titles.

Is this the biggest game of the season for you, Jamie? Yes, Manchester United and Everton are always the two that you look out for. It is a massive game because of what is happening in the Premier League, and they are the champions and the best team in Europe. It's going to be a very difficult game but, with them coming to Anfield, we want to make it as difficult as possible for them and hopefully get three points. We've not beaten them in the league under Rafa – have we just missed that piece of luck at times? We've beaten them in the FA Cup, but not the league, and that is something that we are going to have to try and sort out. Last year we were a little bit unlucky, with a couple of shots cleared off the line. But against the big teams you need to make sure you take your chances. Last year we switched off at a corner and they scored, and that's the difference when you play big teams – you've got to be switched on for 90 minutes and make sure you take your chances when they come. The longer the run goes on, the more frustrating it gets for a local lad like yourself, I expect? Well I hadn't thought about it until you brought it up! But no, I don't look at it like that. It's the same if we've beaten a team a few times – it doesn't mean much because every game is different and there's always different players. You just have to go into it looking for three points. No Cristiano Ronaldo for them – as a defender, how much impact do you see that making? Well it might make you sleep better the night before! No, he's a great player but we could be without a couple of great players too, so it's swings and roundabouts. Whoever is put out there for Manchester United, they'll be top players, and vice versa. It's always a tough game no matter what. Who else do you think makes United tick? Well I've been impressed with Carlos Tevez at the start of the season, and obviously they've signed Dimitar Berbatov, who is a very good player. These will be the people I'm up against, and Wayne Rooney of course. But they're also very good defensively – they had a great record last season and they're very solid. Looking at the bigger picture – if they win the league they'll be level on 18 titles with us. Is that something which drives you on? It is an extra incentive for me, without a doubt. It's a proud record that we've got but it's been a long time since we've won the league and we need to be challenging. To see them coming up does wind you up that little bit more but you've got to have respect for them – they're a great club and have achieved a lot over the last couple of years. It would be nice to stop them but it's not just about them or Chelsea or Arsenal – it's about Liverpool winning the league.

RAFA: KEANE WILL SILENCE CRITICS

Rafa Benitez today backed Robbie Keane to silence any critics in the best possible fashion – by scoring goals.

The manager was responding to comments by Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson, who claimed to be 'surprised' at the signing of Keane. "It could be (a motivation)," Benitez told reporters ahead of Saturday's north-west derby. "Robbie is a very good professional and wants to score against every team. If he can score tomorrow it will be massive for him and for us. "He is training well and the only thing he needs to do now is score in a few games in a row." Benitez added: "If we're talking about price – their strike partnership is £60million, ours is £40million. "Ferguson was talking about being surprised at us spending £20million for Keane. I was surprised they spent £30million for a lot of players. "They have spent £30million on three or four players over the last few years. "The last game we played against them they had Nani, Hargreaves and Tevez on the bench – we are talking about £70million. "But in terms of quality, our strikers are very good. I am really happy here with the players we have." Benitez is yet to get the better of Ferguson in a league encounter, though his side were comfortable winners over United en route to the 2006 FA Cup final. The Liverpool boss insists he doesn't dwell on personal records but will admit that he would love to mastermind a derby day victory for the Kop. He said: "I want to win against every team, but especially United because of the rivalry between the clubs. I don't see their manager as a rival – I think about United as a rival. "If we win we will have more confidence and it will be better for the rest of the season. "These kind of games against top sides, especially with our position in the table now, can be worth more than three points. "We were better than them in the last two games at home but conceded from set-pieces. You know when you play top teams that they have players with quality and sometimes small things can be the difference. "We were good enough for winning – or at least not losing – but when you play against good players you pay for any mistakes you make." Asked if the run against United plays on his mind, Benitez replied: "Maybe we can change it in the next 24 hours."

TORRES AND GERRARD PASSED FIT

Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard have both been passed fit to face Manchester United at Anfield this weekend.

Both players completed a light training session at Melwood this morning and have been included in the squad to take on Alex Ferguson's men tomorrow. "They are both much better," confirmed Benitez. "They came through a full training session this morning. It wasn't a very hard session, but they will both be in the squad. If they are in the squad then they can play. "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." Benitez has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the showdown with United, although midfielder Lucas won't be involved after arriving back late from international action during the week.

PELLEGRINO: RIERA IS A RARE BREED

First-team coach Mauricio Pellegrino believes deadline day capture Albert Riera is a dying breed in modern football.

Pellegrino came up against Riera on numerous occasions in La Liga and thinks the 26-year-old has all the qualities of an old-fashioned winger like those who delighted the Kop week in, week out in the Seventies and Eighties. "I remember playing against Riera when he was at Mallorca. He is a player with great quality," Pellegrino told the official LFC Magazine. "Wingers who can beat their man and get to the byline are quite rare compared to years ago when many teams played with wide men like this. Riera is the type of footballer who is hard to find now. "Now, it is difficult to find players with these qualities anywhere in the world. Many wingers nowadays always go inside the defender. When they are one-on-one, they tend to go inside rather than on the outside. Riera can take his man on and get quality crosses into the box. He just needs to develop here and gain the confidence to take it into our team now." The Argentine coach also believes Riera can bring much more than just wide play to the team. "Reira is good in the air too," adds Pellegrino. "He is a good jumper and that is also important for us. Set-pieces are an important area of play in the Premier League. Many teams focus on this and have players who are good at set-pieces. "Because Riera can head the ball well, he can bring a new dimension to our attack but will also be useful when we are defending set-pieces. "A little like myself, he has to adapt to our ideas and systems as quickly as possible. "I wish him all the best."

RAFA EXPECTS BIG THINGS FROM DEFENDER

Rafa Benitez today backed Andrea Dossena to start displaying the kind of form which has made him a regular for Italy.

The Reds boss is content with the way his new left-back is settling in but believes there is much more to come from a player who turned 27 today. Dossena's form over the last year has made him a regular in Marcelo Lippi's national set-up – and Benitez hopes getting 90 minutes in a World Cup qualifier on Wednesday will give the defender bags of confidence. "It is good for Dossena to play for his national team because it will give him more confidence," said the Spaniard. "We are happy with him because we know that he is a good player and he is working hard but we also know that he can get better. "He has done okay so far and he performed well in our last game at Aston Villa, but there is still more to come. It is not easy to come to a new country to play for a new club and to get used to their system, but Dossena is keen to learn and he will get better with more games and more time."

ARBELOA: WE OWE FANS A VICTORY

Alvaro Arbeloa admits he and his teammates owe the Anfield faithful a victory over Manchester United.

The Kop has endured more than four years without a league win over Alex Ferguson's men, with our single crumb of comfort being a 1-0 victory en route to the 2006 FA Cup final. Last season's clash at Anfield saw Carlos Tevez pinch the only goal of a fiery encounter. Arbeloa expects a similarly physical clash this time round but insists the Reds will fight tooth and nail to ensure the scoreline makes vastly different reading. "That was a really bad experience at Anfield last season," the European champion 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. If we beat Manchester United at home we will have 10 points and much more confidence. But everyone will also be very, very happy." While Liverpool wait on the fitness of Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard, United have injury worries of their own. Cristiano Ronaldo, who netted 42 goals last season, is still recovering from an ankle injury and will definitely miss the Anfield trip. Arbeloa, though, doesn't expect his absence to make too much difference. "United don't have Ronaldo, but they still have really good players like Nani, Carlos Tevez, Wayne Rooney and now Dimitar Berbatov," said the 25-year-old. "I really don't know if it will be easier without Ronaldo." Arbeloa is now fully focused on Liverpool's quest for silverware after a summer he will never forget. The full-back made one appearance as Spain claimed their first major honour since 1964 before parading the trophy round the streets of Madrid. He added: "The experience was amazing. It was good for us because we won a trophy for Spain after 44 years. "It has been really important for us. To win a trophy like that was amazing. One million people greeted us in Madrid to celebrate our victory, so I have really good memories. "I only played one game in the tournament, but it was very important for me because it was my first tournament with Spain. It is always important to play with good players like that." While Arbeloa was playing in Austria and Switzerland, Liverpool were busy tying up a deal for fellow right-back Philipp Degen. Much was made over the summer about the need for attacking full-backs, with Degen and Andrea Dossena seemingly brought in to provide extra width. Arbeloa welcomes the competition but insists the first job of any full-back is always to defend. He said: "I want to play as many games as possible but Philipp Degen is a very good player. The most important thing is the team. "With Rafa, we know we have to work really hard and it's important to have confidence. Every game you have to show your quality. "For Rafa, the first thing is always defence. When you are a defender you have to do that first. But when the team is attacking I want to get forward and help out too. "For me a clean sheet is the most important thing. If it was up to me to score goals, Liverpool would have a very poor season - it is not my job to score goals."

AURELIO: WE MUST LEARN FROM MISTAKES

Fabio Aurelio believes Liverpool can learn from past mistakes against Manchester United as they go in search of victory over the champions this weekend.

Despite more than matching United during recent Anfield encounters, Liverpool have been left to rue defensive lapses which have led to Alex Ferguson's men stealing the points on three of their last four Premier League visits. Aurelio insists the Reds can improve that record and beat United this time around - but only if they concentrate from first whistle to last. "If we remember the two games at home against them in the last two seasons we were better than them in my opinion," he said. "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. "We have to be 100 per cent on our game and try and show character. We need to show them how difficult it is to play at Anfield. Our fans will show that and we need to do it on the pitch. We need to try and change the history. In recent years it has been difficult against them but we have a great opportunity to change that on Saturday. "The Premier League is the best competition in the world and this game is special. Everyone wants to see this game and every player wants to be involved."

RAFA: ALBERT CAN BE LUCKY CHARM

Rafa Benitez today declared Albert Riera a potential lucky charm for Saturday's clash against Manchester United.

Having helped Manchester City overturn their local rivals two seasons ago on his first start at Eastlands, Riera will attempt more debut day magic this weekend. Benitez is hoping the new boy will help the Reds record a first league victory over United since April 2004. "I think he has settled down properly and quickly," Benitez told Liverpoolfc.tv. "He also started his Manchester City career against Manchester United and they won, so maybe he is a lucky man. He can talk English so he can understand, and he already knows some of the players - these are great advantages for him." The 26-year-old Spain international is eager to endear himself to the Anfield faithful and talked of his hopes to get off to a good start when he signed for the Reds on transfer deadline day. "I remember my first match in Manchester was the derby and we won 3-1," Riera told Liverpoolfc.tv. "It would be perfect if the same thing happened on my Liverpool debut. Why not? "It would be the perfect start to my Liverpool career. We can beat them. It is only one match, only three points, but it is very important that we win, especially because it is at home."

CARRA: PERFORMANCES DO MATTER

Jamie Carragher has warned that Liverpool will soon come unstuck unless they shift through the gears.

The Reds have spent the international break joint top of the Barclays Premier League after two victories and a draw. Though delighted with results so far, Carra is not fully satisfied with the football he and his teammates have been producing, with victories over Middlesbrough, Sunderland and Standard Liege all recorded thanks to last-gasp strikes. And as Liverpool enter a crucial month with games against Man Utd, Marseille and Everton, the club's vice-captain accepts our luck could soon turn. "The fear is that if you keep playing not at your top level, maybe sooner or later you are going to lose a few games," Carra told Liverpoolfc.tv "We want to improve the performances but, as always in football, the result is the most important thing. "We've got seven points from three games – two of those away from home - and we're sitting on top of the league, so we've got to be satisfied." Away from Liverpool's form, Carra has been impressed with the start Phil Scolari has made as Chelsea boss, while two less prominent sides have also caught his eye. "Chelsea have started well and put in a good few performances," he said. "Aside from that, I was very impressed with Middlesbrough when they came to Anfield. They were very well organised. "Man City have also looked good after an early defeat to Aston Villa."

RIERA: DON'T JUDGE ME ON CITY SPELL

Albert Riera today vowed to prove his worth at Anfield and insisted fans shouldn't judge him on his last spell in English football with Manchester City.

On the day Rafael Benitez unveiled his deadline day signing to the media at Melwood, Riera insisted his game has developed during the three years he has since spent in Spain - and now he can't wait to make an impact on Merseyside. "That was a different moment," reflected Riera. "I went to Manchester City in January and we were playing for a place in the middle of the table. "I was 22 but now I have three years more experience and this is very important in football. Since then I have played in a UEFA Cup final and I have played for the national team. "I am now more prepared to play for a big club like Liverpool and I also know the Premier League. "I think I am better now. I have made good progress and I want to continue this progress here. Liverpool beat off competition from rival clubs - including Everton - to land the 26-year old, but Riera insists Anfield was the only destination he was interested in moving to. "I am happy to be here," he added. "This is the first day with my team-mates. I wanted to come here because of the history, the Champions League, Anfield, the supporters and my team-mates. This is the perfect club for me. "Espanyol had other offers, not just from Everton, but I told them I wanted to go to Liverpool. "The most important thing for any player is to go out there to try and win every game. We want to try and fight to win everything, the Champions League, the Premier League and the two cups. These are the things I want." Competition for the top prizes could have increased following the takeover at Riera's former club on deadline day, but Riera insists everyone at Anfield should just concentrate on their own performances rather than cast an eye down the M62. "I know what has happened at City but the most important thing for me now is Liverpool," he said. "They are one team we need to be careful of but we need to look at ourselves. If we do good things we do not need to think about other teams."

TORRES AND GERRARD INJURY UPDATE

Rafael Benitez today confirmed both Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard are back in light training at Melwood.

With both players facing a race against time to be fit for next weekend's Premier League clash with Manchester United, the manager has revealed they are each "ten to twelve days" away from a return to competitive action. Torres is battling to overcome a hamstring tear sustained against Aston Villa at the weekend while Gerrard is recovering from a minor groin operation. "Both players are now back jogging and will be out for ten to twelve days," said Benitez. "Gerrard might be back before Torres but you never know."