Premiership: Gerrard in line for United clash

Steven Gerrard is in line to face Manchester United at Anfield.

The Liverpool youngster didn't travel to Albania with England this week, but had a successful training session with his club and is likely to have recovered from his latest back problem to face the champions.

Liverpool could also have Patrik Berger and Nick Barmby on the bench after the pair had a reserve run-out earlier in the week.

Liverpool will be without Jari Litmanen. who has a broken wrist from international duty with Finland.

Manchester United could make five changes as they travel to Liverpool for the high-noon clash at Anfield.

David Beckham, Andy Cole, Ryan Giggs, Fabien Barthez and Wes Brown are all likely to step back as United look for more crucial points against their Merseyside rivals.

Beckham and Brown are ready to return after being rested, Giggs has been out since February 20 with a hamstring injury, and Cole even longer while serving a three-match Premiership suspension.

Barthez is back in training after a thigh strain.

Liverpool (from): Westerveld, Babbel, Henchoz, Hyypia, Carragher, Smicer, Gerrard, McAllister, Hamann, Biscan, Arphexad, Ziege, Heskey, Fowler, Owen, Berger, Barmby, Murphy, Wright.

Manchester United (from): Barthez, G Neville, Stam, Brown, Silvestre, Beckham, Keane, Scholes, Giggs, Cole, Sheringham, Yorke, Solskjaer, Butt, Irwin, P Neville, Van der Gouw, Goram.