Benitez names unchanged team

Rafael Benitez selects an unchanged side for only the third time during his reign as Liverpool manager ahead of Liverpool's 1.30pm kick-off with champions Manchester United at Anfield.

With a post-match meeting planned with co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks, Benitez knows a first Liverpool win in three years over their Premier League rivals will be a useful negotiating tool as he bids to generate some funds to use in the January transfer window.

As expected, only Wayne Rooney remains in the United side from the team that started the midweek draw in Rome.  Owen Hargreaves is back after a calf strain to partner Anderson in midfield.

Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Hyypia, Carragher, Riise, Benayoun, Gerrard, Mascherano, Kewell, Torres, Kuyt. Subs: Itandje, Aurelio, Crouch, Babel, Lucas.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo, Hargreaves, Anderson, Giggs, Rooney, Tevez. Subs: Kuszczak, Saha, Carrick, O'Shea, Fletcher.

Referee: Mark Halsey (Lancashire)

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