Liverpool and Manchester United fans come 'head to head' before the Worthington Cup Final...

IN the red corner Deputy Sports Editor Tony Kelly. Supporter of Liverpool for 41 years.

Fave Liverpool ace of all time -- Kenny Dalglish.

THERE'S only one reason I can find to suggest a Worthington Cup Final conquest for Liverpool and that is - Manchester United.

The presence of the old red devils we know from along the East Lancs Road will be the solitary spur for the Reds of Merseyside to prevail.

For the first time in many a season Liverpool go into a clash against United gripped by a major crisis in form and self-belief.

Forget Liverpool's advance into the UEFA Cup quarter-finals. Opponents Auxerre proved all smoke and mirrors once they decided not to support star striker Djibril Cisse.

Until Michael Owen - one of only four current Reds who could possibly force their way into the United team - equalled Ian Rush's European scoring record Liverpool were red shadows of the club that straddled colossus-like not just English football, but the European game.

Since those halcyon days of the 1970s, 1980s and early 1990s Liverpool have been eclipsed by Old Trafford under the stewardship of old father time himself, Fergie. Barring Arsenal's recent surge, Manchester United have been masters of all they survey.

But even if my missus denounces my hopes of victory in Cardiff as a load of Becks, it's precisely that United supremacy which I am convinced will afford all the motivation for Messrs Owen, Stevie G, big Sami and jumping Jerzy Dudek to do the business in Cardiff.

If we win tomorrow then that increases the chances of United going a second successive season without any silverware whatsoever.

Now that would be so sweet.

IN the white corner Chief Sports Writer Dave Stanford. Supporter of Manchester United for 25 years.

Fave Man Utd ace of all time -- Bryan Robson.

FOR no other reason than it is Liverpool barring the path to Manchester United's first victory in the Millennium Stadium, then tomorrow's Cup final is very much a must win game for the boys from Old Trafford.

I'll hold my hands up and admit an unflinching adulation for the Red Devils that was first spawned as a nipper has long since diminished.

Some will call it progress, but price hikes, overpaid and over-pampered Premiership players coupled with, perhaps somewhat perversely, procession-like success have quelled the love of all things United since the 1990s.

However, there is nothing like a battle of the reds to re-ignite old flames, rekindle interest and simply stir the soul.

As Sir Alex Ferguson said this week: "If we were playing them at tiddlywinks it would still be a great competition".

The Champions' League may be the ultimate prize for United this season but for the fans victory in Cardiff over Liverpool will be every bit as satisfying.

The scousers are never slow in coming forward when it comes to comparing trophy cabinets and the fact remains United have only won this competition once in their history compared to Liverpool's six.

United may have strolled to victory over the Old Lady in Turin in midweek while the Old Enemy coughed and spluttered to overcome Auxerre but that will count for nothing come Sunday at 2pm.

Such is the bitter rivalry, form and fortune can be discounted but with some very old scores still to settle United may just have that extra edge.

Updated: 10:36 Saturday, March 01, 2003