Fowler most likely to be on the sidelines despite penalty double

LIVERPOOL'S striker Robbie Fowler admits his chances of facing Manchester United tomorrow are slim, despite his penalty double against Sheffield United last Saturday.

Much will depend on the fitness of striker Peter Crouch, who is recovering from a broken nose and 12 stitches following the boot in the face he received from Blades striker Rob Hulse in Liverpool's 4-0 win.

Fowler made only his third start for Liverpool this season against the Blades, but he accepts he could be back on the bench against United.

'I have no illusions, there are a few people coming back from injury. Let's just wait and see,' said the 31-year-old, who is contemplating a move away from Liverpool at the end of the season when his contract ends.

He has yet to be offered an extension, despite manager Rafael Benitez describing him as the best finisher at the club.

Although he denied he was looking to move to the US, his agent George Scott admitted: 'If he was to think about moving, Qatar or Dubai could be an option.'

The one striker who can be sure of starting tomorrow is Dirk Kuyt. And he insists Liverpool are determined to make amends for their early-season defeat at Old Trafford.

They went down 0-2 in October, following goals from Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand.

'I think we owe a performance after Old Trafford. That was a disappointing time and we definitely want a better result at Anfield this time,' he told the Liverpool Echo.

'It would be a great result for us if we could do it. We just need to go and approach the game as we've done in the last week.

'If you can beat a side like Barcelona with players of the quality of Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho, you know you can beat a lot of teams.

'We've come back from Barcelona and done a good job at the weekend with a win over Sheffield and a clean sheet, and now we want to beat United.

'It's one of the most important games you can play in the season, and there would be nothing better than beating them.'

Former Liverpool legend Ian Rush believes the Reds can halt United's title charge.

'The atmosphere is going to be incredible,' he said. 'Usually, you get a good game to go with that.

'I think Cristiano Ronaldo has been the player of the season, also Ryan Giggs.

'If Liverpool keep them quiet, I think they'll win.'