Morientes to start for Reds

Liverpool gave debuts to new signings Fernando Morientes and Mauricio Pellegrino in the north-west showdown against Manchester United.

Former Real Madrid striker Morientes, signed on Thursday, came in to partner Milan Baros up front, while veteran defender Pellegrino replaced Steve Finnan who succumbed to a hamstring injury.

That meant the successful central defensive partnership of Sami Hyypia and Jamie Carragher was broken up, with the latter switched to right-back.

Rio Ferdinand and Ryan Giggs both failed fitness tests on hamstring injuries, so Wes Brown was drafted into the centre defence, while Alex Ferguson opted for a five-man midfield which included Cristiano Ronaldo wide and just Louis Saha up front.

Ferguson also recalled Roy Carroll ahead of Tim Howard in goal, despite the ‘own goal’ howler against Tottenham.

Liverpool: Dudek, Carragher, Pellegrino, Hyypia, Traore, Luis Garcia, Gerrard, Hamann, Riise, Baros, Morientes. Subs: Nunez, Sinama Pongolle, Biscan, Warnock, Harrison.

Man Utd: Carroll, Phil Neville, Brown, Silvestre, Heinze, Fletcher, Keane, Scholes, Ronaldo, Rooney, Saha. Subs: Howard, Bellion, Miller, O’Shea, Fortune.

Referee: S Bennett (Kent)