Fergie tips Liverpool to challenge

Alex Ferguson reckons Liverpool will be a serious title threat under new boss Rafael Benitez.

The Spanish coach takes his side to Old Trafford for the first time on Monday looking to gatecrash Rio Ferdinand’s welcome home party.

Benitez has already made a favourable impression since replacing Gerard Houllier during the summer – and victory for the visitors would take them four points clear of their hosts at such an early stage of the season, with the added luxury of a match in hand.

Ferguson has already noted that by following the example of Arsene Wenger and reinforcing his squad with untapped talent from his home country, Benitez has added an air of unpredictability to the Anfield outfit.

Spanish trio Luis Garcia, Xabi Alonso and Josemi have all made a seamless transition from La Liga to the Premiership and Ferguson clearly believes Benitez is capable of guiding Liverpool towards a league title they have not won for 14 seasons.

“By bringing in top players from the Spanish league, Rafael has done exactly what Arsene Wenger did when he joined Arsenal,” said Ferguson.

“Arsene knew the French market very well, brought in young players most of the English clubs would have ignored and turned them into fantastic players.

“Rafael obviously has a great knowledge of the Spanish market, has his own ideas about the job and it will be interesting to see how it progresses.

“Liverpool were disappointed with their performances last season but they are always capable of challenging because they have history on their side and a past tradition of winning trophies.

“You cannot dismiss them and I certainly don’t look at them as anything other than a serious threat.”

Although United have won on their last two visits to Anfield, their recent home record against Liverpool is not brilliant, with the exception of a 4-0 triumph two seasons ago when Sami Hyypia was sent off in the first five minutes.

With just six points from their opening five games, Ferguson knows victory is essential to keep pace with champions Arsenal, who are already racing away at the Premiership summit.

Changes are expected to the side that clawed their way back from the brink of disaster in Lyon on Wednesday, with goalkeeper Tim Howard and midfielder Eric Djemba-Djemba among those sweating on their places.

The major selection issue though surrounds Ferdinand, whose eight-month ban for a missed drugs test is finally over.

Ferguson refused to reveal whether he intended to start with the England defender on Monday, although the memory of Eric Cantona’s goalscoring return from a similar length suspension against the same opposition nine years ago reinforces the rumours coming out of the United camp that Ferdinand will go straight back into the team.

“We have a major decision to make,” confirmed the Red Devils chief.

“There are obvious similarities with Eric Cantona because they both needed a lot of patience and sacrifice to get through.

“It is not an easy situation to deal with but you have to try and look at it as you would a major injury and look forward to the day you can come back.”

Whether Ferdinand starts or not, Ferguson sees him as a vital member of his first choice back four, where the Scot believes continuity in selection will be so pivotal to his team’s chances of recapturing their imperious form of old.

“What we need is to get a consistent back four playing again,” said the United boss.

“We have proved in the past that once we get that continuity and understanding with each other the clean sheets follow.

“It is what we had with the team that won the Double in 1994 and we had it again last year until Rio was suspended.

“The results we had during those times testify how important a settled defence is and that is what we are looking for now.

“Rio is available again and once Gary Neville gets back, then you will see the results change.”