Team News: Team News: Steven Gerrard starts, Wayne Rooney absent

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney will start this afternoon's match away at Liverpool on the bench.

Fellow centre-forward Javier Hernandez and winger Nani are also among the substitutes, while Danny Welbeck will play as a lone forward.

Steven Gerrard will make his first appearance for Liverpool in almost seven months after making a full recovery from groin surgery.

Striker Andy Carroll has made way for the 31-year-old, allowing Dirk Kuyt to partner Luiz Suarez up front.

Liverpool: Reina; Kelly, Enrique, Carragher, Skrtel; Lucas, Adam, Downing, Gerrard; Suarez, Kuyt

Man United: De Gea; Evra, Smalling, Ferdinand, Evans; Giggs, Jones, Park, Young, Fletcher; Welbeck