Liverpool vs Manchester United preview - Carroll set for debut

Posted Sunday, March 06, 2011 by PA

Liverpool's club-record signing Andy Carroll could be set for his debut against Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday.

The 22-year-old, who completed a £35million move from Newcastle on deadline day, has been edging nearer to full fitness from a thigh injury which has sidelined him since late December and is finally close to inclusion in the squad.

Defenders Daniel Agger and Fabio Aurelio (both thigh) are set to return after missing last weekend's defeat at West Ham, while midfielder Raul Meireles is expected to be fit after coming off at Upton Park with a minor knee problem.

Full-back Martin Kelly has been ruled out for a month with a hamstring tear so manager Kenny Dalglish is likely to switch Glen Johnson back to the right side of defence.

Wes Brown is set to make only his third Premier League start of the season for Manchester United.

With skipper Nemanja Vidic suspended and Rio Ferdinand still to recover from a calf injury, Brown looks poised to partner Chris Smalling in central defence for the leaders.

Otherwise, Sir Alex Ferguson looks set to rely on the players who performed well in the first-half at Chelsea only to suffer their second defeat of the season thanks to two second-half strike

Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina admits it is difficult to keep emotions in check when United come to Anfield but he intends to keep a clear head in what is sure to be a heated atmosphere.

United have beaten their arch-rivals twice already this season at Old Trafford, 3-2 in the league and 1-0 in the FA Cup, but the Merseysiders have won the last two meetings at Anfield.

Last season Reina highlighted what the result meant when he ran the length of the pitch to be the first player to celebrate with striker David Ngog when he scored his injury-time goal in front of the Kop in their 2-0 victory.

Another similar result could produce a repeat performance from the Spain international but he accepts the Reds will have to cut out the errors which saw them lose for the first time in eight matches at West Ham last weekend.

"That celebration shows what it means to everybody," said Reina, who has admitted his form has not been the best this season.

"The way we won is the reason I ran the length of the pitch.

"We'd scored a last-minute goal, we were suffering a bit from their attacks and at the end we scored. It was so emotional.

"The key to winning again is to make less mistakes than them and to score one more goal - that's all.

"It looks easy but they are always really tight games, always really close."

Darren Fletcher is desperate to take out his midweek frustrations on Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

United began a hugely important week in the worst possible manner, going down in controversial fashion at Chelsea on Tuesday night.

The after-effects of the defeat will be felt for some considerable time given Ferguson must face an improper conduct charge at some point during the month.

But with Arsenal now within striking distance again, United could do without dropping more points on Merseyside.

And Fletcher believes the sense of injustice around the Red Devils camp needs to be put to positive use.

"You could not have a better game to get the frustrations of Tuesday night out of our systems," said the Scotland skipper.

"It is a weird thing to say about a match between Liverpool and United but if anything it has become even bigger because of what happened at Stamford Bridge.

"There is a lot of disappointment because we never seem to get the rub of the green down there.

"We have to bounce back quickly and get all our focus and energy on Liverpool."

With Carroll set to make his debut, the hosts have plenty to occupy their minds.

However, a visit from United is always a special occasion, especially with the old enemy aiming to complete a record 19th league title triumph.

"It is part of football rivalry that there might be more incentive from stopping us achieving stuff than what they can do themselves," said Fletcher.

"Liverpool are a proud club with a great tradition. They certainly won't want to relinquish the record to us.

"However, we are going there to get our title challenge back on track so it is not as though we are lacking an incentive to win."

United have lost on their last two trips to Anfield, although they did come out on top in the previous three meetings between the sides, which were all played at Old Trafford.

The usual hostile atmosphere is guaranteed, although Fletcher feels it is something to be embraced rather than feared.

"It is an interesting experience," he said.