ESPN Soccernet Preview: Liverpool v Manchester City

• Live on ESPN2 at 12.30 GMT

Two sides with lofty aspirations and discouraging form meet at Anfield on Saturday with both managers in desperate need of a victory. Both were touted as title challengers in August, Liverpool looking to go one better after finishing second last season and City having invested a reported £118 million on an array of established Premier League stars. Both now look to be all but out of contention for top spot.

GettyImages

Mark Hughes hopes to add to the problems for Liverpool and Rafa Benitez

It is Rafa Benitez who needs the victory more. Liverpool are on a wretched run of one win and six defeats in their last nine games in all competitions and he has now felt the need to state his preference for the Premier League over the Champions League in an interview, following accusations his chief concern is enhancing his reputation in Europe. Regardless, this is an important match against top-four rivals and Benitez is still contending with an injury-ravaged squad. While Steven Gerrard is set to start, Fernando Torres is battling to be fit, Alberto Aquilani is still not quite ready and Yossi Benayoun and Albert Riera are definitely out.

Mark Hughes has also spoken to the press this week to insist that the club has made progress and to deny suggestions the owners have demanded a top-four finish this season. Their run of five successive draws in the league, in games with Aston Villa, Wigan, Fulham, Birmingham and Burnley, has been hugely disappointing after four straight league wins at the start of the campaign. Hughes' job appears secure for now, but a defeat at Anfield would be a sign that this is to be another transitional season and may test the owners' patience given the level of their investment.

Liverpool player in focus: Steven Gerrard. How they have struggled without him. Fernando Torres and the improved Yossi Benayoun have done their best to plug the gap, but his return as a substitute against Birmingham provided a strong reminder of the way he changes the team dynamic. So often the driving force behind Liverpool's comebacks, he has the ability and mental spirit to change the face of a game and, having revealed that he is on the way towards full fitness, City have plenty to fear.

Manchester City player in focus: Craig Bellamy. A surprise signing in January, Bellamy still generates headlines for the wrong reasons, but his form earlier this season showed why big clubs continue to invest in his services. Having scored for City in this fixture last season, heavily denting Liverpool's title chances in a 1-1 draw, he will again be looking to hurt his former employers.

Key battle: Steven Gerrard v Nigel de Jong. De Jong was left out of a more attacking lineup against Burnley for Stephen Ireland, but Mark Hughes will probably use the Netherlands defensive midfielder to marshal Gerrard at Anfield. Gerrard's ability to influence the game, particularly in the absence of Yossi Benayoun, is likely to be vital to the home side if they are to break down the visitors.

Tactics: Fernando Torres has returned to training, and Liverpool could well start him up front with Steven Gerrard in behind. Rafa Benitez is set to stick with the more defensively-minded Javier Mascherano and Lucas as Alberto Aquilani regains his fitness. Manchester City, meanwhile, appear to have officially adopted the 4-4-2 formation, although the personnel make it slightly more complex. Shaun Wright-Phillips is first-choice on the right, while Craig Bellamy is used as the left midfielder, with Carlos Tevez busily chasing down balls in the hole and Emmanuel Adebayor as something approaching a lone frontman. Stephen Ireland played alongside Gareth Barry against Burnley, but his failure to track goal-scorer Kevin McDonald is likely to ensure that an out and out defensive midfielder, most likely Nigel de Jong, shores up the midfield.

Quotes: Rafa Benitez on his targets: "I have a lot of confidence we will finish in the top four, but my target is the next game. It is easier for me to give confidence to the players if we get three points against Manchester City."

Mark Hughes on the game: "We are trying to eradicate the errors from our game because they are hampering us. You have to be able to take the sting out of things, not give the opposition any encouragement and make them think there is nothing down for them."

In the news: Rafa Benitez has revealed that his failure to land Gareth Barry from Aston Villa in 2008 destroyed his masterplan for that season and resulted in Robbie Keane's disappointing, short-lived stint at Anfield.

GettyImages

Gareth Barry: Was a target for Liverpool, but ended up at Eastlands.

Liverpool team news: Liverpool's injury woes continue, but they are likely to be able to call on Glen Johnson and Daniel Agger on Saturday, as well as Steven Gerrard. Rafa Benitez had said during the week that Fernando Torres was doubtful, but he has since returned to training. Yossi Benayoun is out for around two more weeks along with Albert Riera and, with Fabio Aurelio doubtful, Ryan Babel may be given a rare start on the left. Alberto Aquilani is still lacking match fitness and is set to be named as a substitute.

Manchester City team news: Gareth Barry is expected to start despite having suffered a groin injury, while Robinho could be included on the bench after he returned to training. Martin Petrov is ruled out with a knee injury.

Probable Liverpool line-up (4-4-2): Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Insua, Kuyt, Mascherano, Lucas, Babel, Gerrard, Torres.

Probable Manchester City line-up (4-4-2): Given, Zabaleta, Toure, Lescott, Bridge, Wright-Phillips, Barry, De Jong, Bellamy, Tevez, Adebayor.

Soccernet prediction: There is still an injury crisis at Liverpool, but there are signs that it is coming to an end and, if Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres both start, they could well have too much for the visitors.