GOALFLASHES AND MAJOR INCIDENTS (all times GMT)
606: DEBATE
Your thoughts on the action
To get involved use 606 or text us your views & comments on 81111. (Not all contributions can be used)
By Jonathan Stevenson
From Tom, Notts, via text on 81111: "Afternoon. Having a bit of trouble blowing my beach ball up with this Cantona mask on. Little help"1316: Liverpool v Manchester United line-ups:
Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Insua, Lucas, Mascherano, Benayoun, Kuyt, Aurelio, Torres.
Subs: Cavalieri, Voronin, Babel, Ngog, Spearing, Degen, Skrtel.
Man Utd: Van der Sar, O’Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs, Berbatov, Rooney.
Subs: Foster, Neville, Owen, Anderson, Nani, Fabio Da Silva, Jonathan Evans.
Referee: Andre Marriner (W Midlands)1314: But if Rafael Benitez has been feeling the strain, in the Anfield corridors of power they are doing their utmost to ease the pressure on the beleaguered Spaniard. First,co-owner George Gillett said Benitez was “as good as there is”,and today,managing director Christian Purslow has given him long-term assurances about his job.Count them - not one, but two votes of confidence.1311: Liverpool’s problems are well-documented.Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat at home to Lyon in the Champions Leaguewas a fourth successive defeat, their worst run since 1987. They haven’t lost five in a row since 1953, when Bolton, Newcastle, Preston, Wolves and Spurs all accounted for them and the Reds went on to finish bottom of Division One.1308: Gary Megson opts for the same line-up that narrowly failed to pick up a point at Old Trafford last weekend as **Bolton **look to continue their recent good form. There are no such luxuries for David Moyes, who makes three changes to the injury-depleted **Everton **side hammered 5-0 by Benfica on Thursday. Lucas Neill makes his first start for the club and will be joined in defence by John Heitinga, who was ineligible for the Lisbon rout. Louis Saha returns in attack, with Yakubu dropping to the bench.1305: Hearing news that Fernando Torres and Glen Johnson start for Liverpool, but Steven Gerrard has not made it. Wayne Rooney returns for Manchester United and ex-Reds striker Michael Owen is on the bench.From an apprehensive Liverpool supporter in Edinburgh, via text on 81111: "I’ve always been a steadfast supporter of Rafa but if we lose today then I believe our season is practically over already, which is just shocking. It could turn into our worst season for many a year and if that’s the case I believe Rafa will lose the support of the fans."1300: Stevo’s Predos:
Bolton 2-1 Everton
Liverpool 2-2 Manchester United
Manchester City 2-1 Fulham
West Ham 0-3 Arsenal
Lawro’s predictionsFrom philmcnulty on Twitter:](http://twitter.com/philmcnulty)"Just seen Steven Gerrard dressed very casually at Anfield. Did not look like a man who was ready for action this afternoon."From adamgray50 on Twitter:](http://twitter.com/adamgray50)"Great day of football to come, plusthe draw for the first round of the FA Cup.It’s the day the season really starts."1251: Bolton v Everton line-ups:
Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Ricketts, Cahill, Knight, Samuel, Muamba, Lee, Cohen, Gardner, Taylor, Kevin Davies.
Subs: Al Habsi, Steinsson, Klasnic, Mark Davies, Basham, Andrew O’Brien, Robinson.
Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Heitinga, Distin, Neill, Gosling, Rodwell, Cahill, Jo, Saha, Fellaini.
Subs: Nash, Coleman, Duffy, Agard, Baxter, Wallace, Akpan.
Referee: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire)From LarrySanders on 606:](http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A58826956)"I just love how they exaggerate everything. If Rafa wins, we’re three points closer - anything else and our chances of the league title are slim. That’s it, nothing more and nothing less."1245: Safe to say we can expect an electric atmosphere at Anfield this afternoon and ourchief football writer Phil McNultywill be in situ to keep us updated throughout. Manchester United can go top if they win, while three points would send Liverpool up to fifth.1242: It’d be magical if you could get involved today. It’s the sort of dayTwitter was invented for, surely So get tweeting, whether you’re at Anfield, at home or in the pub.If you aren’t all over Twitter, text your thoughts to 81111 orget in the 606 mixer.Like goals, they all count for one.1237: Oh OK, suppose I should let you know what else is going on. At 1330 GMT (not BST)Bolton host Everton,at 1500Manchester City entertain Fulhamand then at 1600West Ham and Arsenal meet.Meanwhile, events at Anfield kick-off at 1400. How can it not be a magnificent day of football1234: There might be three other top flight games today, but all eyes are on Anfield for the biggest game of the season so far asLiverpool take on Manchester United.It is English football’s grandest contest, the standout derby in our domestic game - and this afternoon, there are plenty of added extras. Just ask Rafael Benitez.1230: Don’t tell me it’s too early for one of thedefining moments of the 2009/10 Premier League season.Question is: is Sunday 25 October THE defining moment of Rafael Benitez’s Liverpool careerThis article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.