Steven Gerrard was no more than an 11-year-old schoolboy when Manchester United suffered the ultimate agony of having their hopes of securing a first league championship in 25 years crushed by Liverpool in a bitter 2-0 defeat at Anfield in April 1992.
Ridiculed mercilessly by a gloating Kop, the memory of that grim afternoon, which resulted in Leeds United being confirmed as the final champions of the old First Division, remains a painful one for United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, despite the eight Premiership crowns he has added to the Old Trafford roll of honour in the years that have followed.
Revenge, as they say, is a dish best served cold, however, and although no prizes will be handed out following United's trip to Anfield on Saturday lunchtime, victory for Ferguson's team will ensure an imposing 12-point lead ahead of second-placed Chelsea prior to their evening clash with Portsmouth at Fratton Park.
Chelsea may have emerged as a major source of irritation in Liverpool minds due to the numerous high-stakes encounters between the two clubs in recent seasons, but United continue to be viewed as the real evil empire on Merseyside and Liverpool captain Gerrard admits his team simply cannot allow Ferguson's players to all but seal the title at Anfield.
"United will be coming to Anfield this weekend looking for maximum points because that would virtually win them the league," Gerrard said. "We have got to make sure we get the points and keep the title race going for as long as possible.
"The rivalry for this fixture has grown bigger and bigger over the years and the games are built up more and more, but these are the games you want to play in. I'm in the city among all the banter and I know our fans are desperate to take the points.
"It hurts to say this, but United have been playing some really good attacking football this season. It's just a pity there's not as much riding on this game in terms of a Liverpool title challenge.
"We have to look at the silly points we dropped earlier in the season as a reason for that. That's why the gap is quite big, but it's not over at the moment."
In terms of trophies this season, Gerrard can only look forward to the Champions League clash with Barcelona at Anfield on Tuesday, with Liverpool 2-1 ahead from the first leg and on the cusp of reaching the quarter-finals. But he said of the United clash: “If we can give a big performance and get the right result then it will give us all a big confidence booster for the Barcelona game.”
Man Utd need Anfield win to open gap of 12 points
By Timothy Collings
LONDON, March 1 (Reuters) - Manchester United seek to intensify the pressure on Premier League title rivals Chelsea, who kickoff more than four hours later, by opening up a 12-point lead with victory at Liverpool on Saturday.
United, bidding for a repeat of their Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League treble of 1999, face a tough task at the home of their bitter rivals.
Third-placed Liverpool, the 2005 European champions, have not conceded a goal at Anfield in nine league outings and are unbeaten at home this season.
United, though, can draw encouragement from an outstanding record on the road, having won 10 and drawn two of their 14 away games in the league this season.
It is likely to be a classic example of an immoveable object meeting an irresistible force.
Liverpool suffered two heavy home defeats by Arsenal, conceding a total of nine goals, in early January but both came in cup fixtures where manager Rafa Benitez selected weakened teams.
Benitez, who will try to defend a 2-1 lead at home to Barcelona in their Champions League first knockout round second leg on Tuesday, faces a delicate selection dilemma.
By resting players against United he risks a repeat of the Arsenal defeats and the end of his team's proud home league record.
But Benitez also knows he will need a full-strength side to eliminate European champions Barcelona three days later.
United, fresh from securing their place in the FA Cup quarter-finals with Tuesday's replay win at Reading, also have a Champions League clash to prepare for.
Alex Ferguson's men hold a 1-0 lead going into their home game with French club Lille.
Liverpool kick off against United at 1245, four and a half hours before Chelsea visit Portsmouth.
The league champions are expected to be without captain John Terry after the England skipper was concussed after being kicked in the face during Sunday's League Cup final triumph over Arsenal.
If Liverpool win at lunch time, a victory for Chelsea would cut United's advantage to six points, with the Londoners having a game in hand.
Chelsea also entertain United at Stamford Bridge on April 15.
Elsewhere, fourth-placed Arsenal host Reading while third-bottom Charlton Athletic travel to bottom club Watford and Aston Villa visit Fulham.
Wigan Athletic also meet Manchester City, Newcastle United face Middlesbrough and Everton play Sheffield United.
On Sunday, West Ham United entertain in-form Tottenham Hotspur and Blackburn Rovers travel to Bolton Wanderers.
Gerrard envious of title challenge at Old Trafford
PAUL WALKER
STEVEN Gerrard has revealed the deep sense of hurt he feels as Liverpool skipper to be out of the title race when Premiership leaders Manchester United arrive at Anfield this weekend.
Gerrard will lead Liverpool out for their high-noon showdown with their bitterest rivals, who are on course to claim a ninth Premiership crown, and who lie 16 points ahead of the Merseysiders.
Liverpool started the season with high hopes of challenging for Chelsea's title themselves, but it is United who have waged war on the Stamford Bridge stronghold and, if they win on Saturday, they will be 12 points clear at the top of the table.
In terms of silverware, Gerrard can only look forward to Tuesday's Champions League clash with Barcelona at Anfield, with Liverpool holding a 2-1 lead from the first leg and on the brink of reaching the quarter-finals.
But he said of the United clash: "If we can give a big performance and get the right result then it will give us all a big confidence booster for the Barcelona game.
"It's just a pity there's not as much riding on this game in terms of a Liverpool title challenge as we'd have hoped.
"We have to look at the silly points we dropped earlier in the season as a reason for that. That's why the gap is quite big. All we can do is keep going."
He added: "We've got a massive week coming up, with United and Barcelona both coming to Anfield, but we need to take them one at a time. We'll never get a result against a side like United unless we're 100 per cent focused on it. It's an exciting week for us to prepare for but the important thing is getting the right results."
Liverpool's players are also acutely aware that the club's takeover by US sports moguls George Gillett and Tom Hicks is approaching a conclusion. The Americans' bid was officially lodged nine days ago, and shareholders have until 12 March to decide whether they want to sell. The vast majority, it is believed, will do so because of the package of privileges and season ticket rights being offered. Gillett and Hicks need to reach a 75 per cent target to take unconditional control and are already close to that figure.
If it is achieved by the end of the week, they could fly in from the States to watch the United and Barcelona games. But they will not do that unless they have the three-quarter stake.
For now, Gerrard can only aim to deny United the opportunity to "win the title at Anfield".
He said: "They will be coming to Anfield this weekend looking for maximum points because that would virtually win them the league.
"We've got to make sure we get the points and keep the title race going for as long as possible. It's not over at the moment and that's why this is a massive game for both clubs."
we're going to lose now 
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