Gerrard urges Liverpool to make statement of intent

The Liverpool captain was rested from Tuesday's victory over Real Betis in the Champions' League in preparation for a contest that his manager, Rafael Benitez, believes can demonstrate how their pedigree was reflected in Istanbul rather than a fifth-placed finish in the Premiership.

Despite the events of May, and perhaps because of events during the subsequent transfer window, Liverpool are yet to convince many within their own camp that a title challenge is within them this season, with only one League goal so far highlighting their problems in attack. A victory over United, even a depleted one, however, would serve as a much-needed statement of intent.

"We may be European champions, but we need to break up the so-called top three," said Gerrard. "It is the Premiership where our priority is. It hurts when people talk about Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal all the time and Liverpool don't get a mention. This season we have to prove we can get among them. We play Manchester United on Sunday and we have games with Chelsea coming up so these next few weeks will provide us with a chance to make a statement."

He added: "We are desperate to show we are improving and make sure that Liverpool gets a mention whenever people talk about the title."

Gerrard's wish may not be granted tomorrow, however, with much of the focus centred around his England colleague and friend Wayne Rooney following events in Villarreal on Wednesday. Benitez insists he has no special plans to antagonise the volatile youngster, only admiration for a player he has likened to Raul, a superstar who he helped educate through the Real Madrid youth system.

The Liverpool manager said: "I have seen many young players maybe as good as Rooney. I used to coach Real Madrid's youth teams and I had Raul with me at a very young age. He was exceptional, too. The difference between players is not the quality or the ability of the players: it is their mentality. All top young players have that pressure. They are always in the headlines and it is handling it that is important."

Liverpool were beaten twice by United last season and collected only three points from six matches with the established Premiership hierarchy. Benitez admits: "When people talk of the 19-point gap between ourselves at United last season and the 37 points between us and Chelsea, there is an immediate way to cut it. You can stop your rivals taking points and claim them yourself. The gap then comes down very quickly."