Yet Liverpool sits in seventh, three points behind its crosstown rival Everton and a colossal 12 points behind Sunday's opponent.

WSJ: Two Sides Riding a Switchback

The injury to Ricketts comes after centre-back Zat Knight suffered a knee injury in the win over Everton on Sunday, which is expected to keep him out for up to six weeks.

BBC: Sam Ricketts ruled out for season with Achilles injury

On Sunday, a Premier League spokesman confirmed Everton had at no point made contact with them about City.

BBC: Joleon Lescott move still annoys Everton manager Moyes

Spanish full-back Jose Enrique could also return for Sunday's trip to Everton after shaking off a hamstring injury.

BBC: Kinnear starts work at Newcastle

Everton are playing for a place in the Uefa Cup against United next Sunday.

BBC: Man Utd set for Goodison party

Torres has only scored once from his 10 Liverpool appearances this season and was a peripheral figure again as the Reds lost 2-0 at Everton on Sunday.

BBC: Roy Hodgson says Fernando Torres may be Man Utd target

Australia midfielder Cahill, 30, scored his 60th goal for Everton in Sunday's victory at Goodison Park in his 216th appearance, and has a reputation for scoring the majority of his goals with his head.

BBC: Phil Neville hails Tim Cahill importance to Everton

Lukas Podolski's 78th minute strike earned Arsenal a 1-0 win against Stoke City at the Emirates and close the gap on Everton and fourth-place Tottenham (who play West Bromwich Albion on Sunday) to a point.

CNN: Rooney strike puts United 10 points clear

The Clattenburg case came on the same afternoon as referee Andre Marriner earned the wrath of Everton manager David Moyes, who felt that Uruguay striker Luis Suarez should have been sent off for a bad tackle in Sunday's Merseyside derby against Liverpool, which ended 2-2 at Goodison Park.

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