Jamie Carragher: 'Leave Steven Gerrard out of Manchester United clash'

Jamie Carragher has expressed his belief that Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers should leave captain Steven Gerrard out of the starting XI for Sunday's showdown against Manchester United at Anfield.

The former England skipper came on as a second-half substitute in last night's 1-0 win over Swansea City, which was the midfielder's first game in six weeks due to a hamstring injury.

At the moment, Carragher believes that the team, which has had Jordan Henderson and Joe Allen in midfield, are playing well enough that they don't need to throw Gerrard into the mix.

During Sky Sports' Monday Night Football, Carragher was asked if he'd start the 34-year-old midfielder, and the retired defender said: "No. The team's playing well. They've been on a great run while he's been out.

"Unfortunately if you go out the team, and they continue on a great run it's hard to get back in. It's unfortunate for him, but the players here are playing too well, you can't leave them out."

Liverpool are currently fifth in the table, two points behind fourth-placed United.