Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez called for respect between players as the shadow of the Carling Cup final hangs over another showdown between two of the big four in the English game.

The fall-out from the disgraceful scenes when Chelsea clashed with Arsenal last weekend in Cardiff is still being felt and now Liverpool confront Manchester United at Anfield today in a match that could go a long way to deciding the Barclays Premiership.

Benitez knows if United win the encounter between what are accepted as English football's bitterest rivals his opposite number, Sir Alex Ferguson, will have one hand on the title.

But the Spanish coach believes it will be football, not indiscipline, that will decide who wins at Anfield.

He said: ''For years it has been Liverpool and Manchester United competing for titles but the key is that there is respect.

''That is the key for me. In football we have to be careful in such big games because otherwise some people can lose their control. I do not want that to happen.

''We have confidence and a lot of respect for a good team but we are in good form and playing well and this game is at Anfield, where we will have the fans behind us.

''They are also playing well, with a good squad, and that is why they can still compete in three competitions (Premiership, Champions League and FA Cup).''

Benitez said all the right things about Ferguson, as leaders United prepare for a match that could take them 12 points clear of Chelsea. However, he was more wary of the threat from United's experienced players.

''I have a lot of respect for Sir Alex, he is a fantastic manager, but managers can prepare the master plan and then it is down to the players,'' he said.

''Sir Alex has Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs, players with 500 and 700 games, great players, but you cannot win trophies for 20 years and be a bad manager.

''He has always been there, controlling the club, and now he will be there for two more years. It is something I have to cope with.''

Peter Crouch has insisted he is available despite a broken nose, with the England forward intent on delaying an operation that will put him out for a fortnight until after Tuesday's Champions League battle with Barcelona.

It is that sort of attitude that Benitez feels destroys the argument Liverpool will have their eyes only on the second leg with the Catalans, over whom they hold a 2-1 lead.

Benitez sees only United in his sights, adding: ''My players will tell me they are ready for both United and Barcelona, they will want to play in both, have no doubt about that.

''We will concentrate on the first game and then worry about the second. I will not be picking a side to protect people, only afterwards will I assess whether players are injured or tired.

''If we get it right in the first game, then we will have a real boost for playing Barcelona.

''We will approach both games with the same attitude. We need to beat United and we need to beat Barcelona because that will put us into the last eight of the Champions League and the chance of a big trophy again.

''It is important that Crouch wants to play and is prepared to delay an operation. That is the sort of spirit there is here.''

Benitez brushed aside the obvious importance of the game to United.

''It is important for United but for us too because we have to win against the top sides,'' he said.

''We want the points to be as high in the table as possible. Our fans especially want us to beat United and we have a very good home record and want to maintain that against a side who are doing so well in their away matches.