Reds are well known for their differences in ideology, battles for dominance and clashes of personality. Today's encounter between two of the Premiership varieties, in a game brought forward to 11.15 a.m. at the behest of Sky television, will be no different. But while Manchester United and Liverpool have shared 12 of the past 20 championships, the Anfield faction are struggling to keep in touch with Alex Ferguson's team: they are nine points adrift and defeat today would surely kill off any lingering hopes they have of catching United.

Alex Ferguson admits even he is surprised to see Manchester United already three points clear of Chelsea at the top of the Premiership.

The United boss was prepared to put the pursuit of a fifth title in six years on the back burner while his team secured their place in the Champions' League quarterfinals.

He would have been content just to keep in touch with the pacesetters and did not expect to be in such a healthy position going into today's match against Liverpool at Anfield.

"We're ahead of schedule; they've really surprised me so far," confessed Ferguson. "The team is playing very well at the moment, and I cannot disguise these things - performances have been outstanding. Normally we don't start getting into our best form until the New Year.

"After Wednesday night's game (against Juventus), we don't have to think about a European Champions' League game until March, which gives us time to concentrate on the league games."

United can move 12 points clear of Liverpool if they win, but Ferguson refused to say if that would be the end of the Merseysiders' title hopes.

"I'm not looking at that. It's an important game, but not a decisive game. The title will always be decided in March and April, and that won't change."

Liverpool may not be the force they once were, but Ferguson still believes this is the biggest game in the land.

"It's an important game, because it's Liverpool-United," he said. "Even if we were the two bottom teams in the league, it would be an important game," he said. Today is the fifth anniversary of Eric Cantona's United debut when he came on as a substitute in the 2-1 victory over Manchester City at Old Trafford. But the team have hardly missed him, as has been underlined by Andy Cole winning the Carling Player of the Month award for November jointly with Southampton's Kevin Davies.

"It's been a good month for Andy - he's done really well," said Ferguson, who has also had good news of Gary Pallister (hip) and Nicky Butt (shin) - they have both recovered from knocks in time for today's match. Paul Scholes, though, is still suspended.

The Liverpool manager Roy Evans, while acknowledging United's superiority, said he still believed his team could catch them, beginning with a win at Anfield today. "United are approaching the point when they may think they are invincible," Evans said. "But we want to take those points off them and I would be delighted to put one over them this time."

He added: "I want to win the title, this club wants to win it. And that means taking it off United."

Recent history is against him - Liverpool lost both Premiership games last season against United, who have won four of the past five championships - but at least he will have his potential match winner, Robbie Fowler, back after a three-game suspension. However, every swing has its roundabouts and the manager must decide whether teenager Michael Owen or experienced Karlheinz Riedle steps down.

Evans is unlikely to risk Rob Jones, who is still not fully recovered from an Achilles injury, while Mark Wright is still not quite ready following back problems. Newcastle's season has been blighted by a shortage of strikers, but they are hoping, nay praying, that Faustino Asprilla will make a surprise comeback against Arsenal at St James' Park after a nineweek absence.

Asprilla is recovering from a stomach muscle surgery and manager Kenny Dalglish confirmed he is in contention. "We will not be irresponsible," he said. "He has done everything this week. All he is facing now is the final hurdle. A fit Tino Asprilla is an asset to any side. If we think he's ready, he will be involved."

Arsenal's Ian Wright has not scored for six games and could lose his place to the French striker Nicolas Anelka, who has recovered from an ankle injury. Patrick Vieira still has knee-ligament trouble and Gilles Grimandi starts a three-match ban.

Leeds United, whose current run of three wins in a row has lifted them to fifth place, should at least consolidate that position against the bottom club Everton, who have lost their last four games.

Chelsea travel across London to Tottenham with six wins in their last seven matches under their belt and they can draw level with Manchester United, if the leaders are beaten at Anfield.

The Chelsea manager Ruud Gullit has never kept the same side in back-to-back matches this season and plans to keep the tradition going today.