Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher believes the key to today’s match at Manchester United will be the form of Reds pair Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.

“When you put great players together, you get results. Torres and Gerrard are certainly that, they are both very clever on the pitch,” said Carragher. “Torres stretches defences and Gerrard gets into the hole behind; Stevie then is able to produce the passes for Fernando to run on to. It is not something we work on too much in training, it is just two top players getting together and the combination works.”

Carragher concedes Liverpool can only be seriously considered as a challenger for fourth place now and is aware they must continue their run of victories - which now stands at seven - if they are going to hold off Everton.

“Fourth place is obviously the aim now. We have to stay there, even if we know Everton are right in behind us,” he added.

“They have had a great season and they are the main danger. They will look at how many games we have got left and believe we will drop points over the next few weeks. We have Manchester United and Arsenal away, and Everton at home in our next three league matches.”

“We will see after those next three games where both teams are, but I expect it to be neck and neck right to the end of the season now.”