Derby had come close to winning at Newcastle on Sunday and had it not been for Gerrard they might have won for the first time under manager Paul Jewell.

BBC: CHOOSE A SPORT

But a slice of bad luck and a lapse in concentration enabled Liverpool managed to make it back-to-back wins in their opening two Premier League games for the first time under manager Rafael Benitez.

BBC: Liverpool 2-1 Middlesbrough

Meanwhile, Roy Hodgson is relishing the prospect of facing United for the first time as Liverpool manager.

BBC: Sir Alex Ferguson warns Man Utd ahead of Liverpool game