United will start the lunchtime game with a nine point lead at the top of the table and with the possibility of further extending that advantage if they can become the first team since Chelsea in October 2005 to win a Premiership game at Anfield.
Jose Mourinho's side would have a chance to reduce the gap when they take on Portsmouth a few hours later, but Gerrard believes a United triumph at Anfield could be the decisive result in this season's league race.
"They'll be coming to Anfield this weekend looking for maximum points because that would virtually win them the league," said the Reds' skipper. "We've got to make sure we get the points and keep the title race going for as long as possible. It's not over at the moment and that's why this is a massive game for both clubs.
"It hurts to say this but they have been playing some really good attacking football this season. They're also really hard to beat because they have some great defenders.
"The rivalry for this fixture has got bigger and bigger over the years and the games are built up more and more in the media. As a player these are the games you want to play in.
"I'm in the city among all the banter and I know our fans are desperate to take the three points this weekend. If we can give a big performance and get the right result then it will give us all a big confidence booster for the Barcelona game.
"It's just a pity there's not as much riding on this game in terms of a Liverpool title challenge as we'd have hoped. We have to look at the silly points we dropped earlier in the season as a reason for that. That's why the gap is quite big. All we can do is keep going."
He added: "We've got a massive week coming up with United and Barcelona both coming to Anfield but we need to take them one at a time. We'll never get a result against a side like United unless we're one hundred per cent focused on it. It's an exciting week for us to prepare for but the important thing is getting the right results." |
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