Rio eyes end to run

Rio Ferdinand can think of nothing worse than making it four in a row this season.

But don’t worry, he’s not talking about the league title – the desire to lift that trophy again still burns strong. He's talking about a very different sequence, one he's desperate to end.

"We’ve lost the last three games we’ve played against Liverpool," Rio told ManUtd.com. "Those games haven’t gone to plan but there’s always room for improvement and now is the time for us to beat them."

"Liverpool are one of our biggest rivals and we never like losing to them. I’m confident we can get three points on Sunday and end this streak they have over us."

Liverpool’s form has been decidedly patchy this season (Rafa Benitez’s men haven’t strung together three consecutive wins since September), but Ferdinand maintains that will count for little when the teams meet at Old Trafford on Sunday.

"It’s all about who produces the goods on the day in these games," he says. "We’ll need to be at our best because, on their day, Liverpool can be a top team."

"Last year they were serious title challengers and that doesn’t go away overnight. They’ve obviously had a bad run of form this season but they still have the quality to open up any team and score goals."

Speaking of goals, Ferdinand has netted twice in games against Liverpool, including a last-minute winner in 2005/2006.

"It was my first goal for United down at the Stretford End so it was doubly pleasing for me," he recalls. "It was a great moment."

The other – United’s second in a 2-0 home win the following season – was pretty memorable, too.

"It should have won Goal of the Season!" Rio jokes. "I brought it down out of the stars and then hit a left-foot volley into the top corner."

United fans would certainly settle for something similar on Sunday.

From ManUtd.Com