Unimpressive United, Liverpool in big clash

LONDON (AP):

With Chelsea making a perfect start to their title defence, Manchester United and Liverpool cannot afford another draw when they meet on Sunday on the back of an unimpressive opening month of the season.

Chelsea have won four straight Premier League matches, but United have only won twice and are already four points adrift, while Liverpool have just one victory and trail the leaders by seven.

United have thrown away four points in two games by conceding late equalisers, including throwing away a 3-1 lead in the 90th minute at Everton last weekend.

"Sunday is a big game - the disappointment of last Saturday has to resonate with the players," United manager Alex Ferguson said. "They can't make mistakes like that again."

United will be boosted by the return of Wayne Rooney, who was dropped last weekend over fears Everton fans would abuse the striker in light of a sex scandal; and defender Rio Ferdinand, who came back from a three-month injury layoff to play in the Champions League on Tuesday when United were held 0-0 by Rangers.

Ferguson views fixtures with Liverpool as the biggest in the season for United, with the northwest rivals sharing the record of 18 English titles.

It is United which looks closer to No. 19, having finished runners-up last season after a three-year winning streak. Liverpool, though, have not won the title since 1990 and Roy Hodgson has a lack of funds to strengthen the side he took control of in the offseason.

Goalscoring touch

Liverpool's only win came against promoted West Bromwich, while they have lost to Manchester City and drawn with Arsenal and Birmingham.

Liverpool's hopes of winning will rely on striker Fernando Torres rediscovering his goalscoring touch after being heavily criticised for a lacklustre display at Birmingham last weekend.

"I'm afraid criticism is something he will have to learn to live with," Hodgson said.

"Everything that happens at the club is put under a microscope and that includes player performances.

"Fernando Torres has no problems with that. He's an excellent player and is very much committed and focused on this season."

After the Old Trafford match, leader Chelsea should have little trouble disposing of Blackpool, who were thumped 6-0 by Arsenal last month, when they host the newcomers.

Arsenal will look to maintain the free-scoring form that produced a 6-0 Champions League win over Braga in midweek, when they travel to Sunderland tomorrow.

The Gunners are second in the league after winning three and drawing one game at Liverpool.

"It is the start of the season and I think it is important that we take encouragement from what we are doing at the moment," manager Arsene Wenger said. "We will keep our feet on the ground and a good concentration. We have another big test now at Sunderland."

Manchester City are in desperate need of a win at Wigan on Sunday, with the league's biggest spenders only producing one win in their opening four matches.

"There has to be patience," assistant manager Brian Kidd said. "The boss (Roberto Mancini) has only been here a short period and this is a building job. It is going to take time."