Man United v Liverpool team news - PA

PA Sport, 19 Sept 2004
FERDINAND BACK FOR UNITED

Rio Ferdinand stands by to return to the Manchester United line-up for the
first time in eight months in Monday night's Premiership encounter with
Liverpool.

Ferdinand has not pulled on a United shirt since he limped out of the 1-0
defeat to Wolves at Molineux on January 17.

But, despite his obvious lack of match practice, he seems certain to be
included by Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson as he looks to strengthen a
defence that looked so uneasy in Lyon on Wednesday.

Roy Carroll, Phil Neville and Alan Smith all have recall claims but Louis
Saha is not likely to be considered after his knee injury kept him out of
training this week.

Chris Kirkland is putting pressure on Liverpool number one Jerzy Dudek
after at last playing his first full game of the season following a back
injury.

The youngster, widely regarded as England's number one goalkeeper in
waiting, has seen his progress hindered by constant injury problems over
the past two seasons

But he played a full 90 minutes on Thursday in the Reds reserves' 1-0 win
over Sunderland and can now give manager Rafael Benitez a serious option.

It is unlikely Benitez will change his goalkeeper for the trip to United -
even if Dudek has had his misfortunes against the Old Trafford club.

But having looked unsure in the air during the midweek win over Monaco,
Dudek must know his place is now under threat.

Otherwise, Benitez has no serious injury problems and his most pressing
decision will again be who plays in central midfield, with Dietmar Hamann
left out against the French side to allow Xabi Alonso a starring role in
the 2-0 win.

Florent Sinama-Pongolle is likely to be out with an ankle injury sustained
in the reserve fixture.

Teams:
Manchester United (from): Howard, Carroll, P Neville, Heinze, Ferdinand,
Silvestre, Keane, Spector, Bardsley, Eagles, Ronaldo, Van Nistelrooy,
Djemba-Djemba, Miller, Kleberson, Bellion, Richardson, Fletcher, Giggs,
Scholes, Smith,

Liverpool (from): Dudek, Josemi, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise, Finnan, Gerrard,
Hamann, Alonso, Kewell, Cisse, Baros, Garcia, Kirkland, Warnock, Biscan,
Diao, Traore, Henchoz.