Manchester United have the opportunity to strike a defining blow in the Premier League title race on Sunday - but face a Liverpool side in shape to land a counter-punch of their own.

To describe Rafael Benitez's league record against United since his arrival at Liverpool as utterly wretched is to do the Spaniard a great kindness.

The grim record in seven league games reads no wins and only one goal, which was actually scored by United's John O'Shea in a 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford in September 2004. It does not bode well for Liverpool's aspirations.

Sir Alex Ferguson also knows victory against Liverpool on Sunday lunchtime will apply huge psychological pressure on Chelsea and Arsenal when they meet later at Stamford Bridge.

Liverpool, however, have every right to believe they can approach the traditionally combative meeting with more optimism than in recent years.

Benitez has actually hinted that victory could push Liverpool's own door to the title slightly ajar, although bookmakers' odds of 100-1 on this freak occurrence actually taking place offer a more realistic assessment.

United have been typically remorseless in over-hauling Arsenal to reclaim their place at the Premier League summit, and in Cristiano Ronaldo they have a player who is currently peerless.

If he dovetails with Wayne Rooney - who will never shy away from the opportunity of sending Liverpool away as losers - then it will be a long afternoon for Benitez and his team.

Ferguson is the master of the perfectly-timed title charge and United have once again hit the front at a crucial time. They traditionally raise their game in an encounter that is always played for high stakes and they will not take Liverpool's threat lightly.

Liverpool, for their part, have rebuilt form and confidence since the FA Cup defeat at home to Barnsley, with an Anfield victory against Inter Milan in the Champions League the catalyst for seven straight victories.

Fernando Torres is only just behind Ronaldo when it comes to current form, and you can bet Benitez is plotting Liverpool's game-plan with the attention to detail he traditionally reserves for the Champions League.

Torres was an annual summer target for United until Liverpool finally prised him away from Atletico Madrid, and he will provide a bigger threat than any Ferguson has had to combat since Benitez came to England.

He will hope the link between Torres as his spearhead and captain Steven Gerrard playing just off the striker continues to flourish.

Their partnership is key to Sunday's outcome, as they aim to exploit the tactical freedom afforded by the screen operated in front of Liverpool's defence by Javier Mascherano.

The Argentine has been masterly in midfield and Benitez will detail him to break up United's threat, including fellow countryman Carlos Tevez, before it reaches Liverpool's back four.

Liverpool's approach will be ordered while United will enter the game intent on applying the all-out attacking flair that hallmarks every team assembled by Ferguson - a philosophy even his detractors must admire.

So can the methodical Benitez get the better of a manager whose natural instinct is to tell his team to go for the jugular?

A month ago the answer would have come emphatically in the negative, but now might just be the perfect time for an in-form Liverpool, galvanised by the world-class duo of Torres and Gerrard, to end their curse.

When players and managers talk about the twists and turns still to come in the title race, this is exactly the sort of game they had in mind.

Can Liverpool halt Manchester United's march towards the title? Where will the game be won and lost?

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