Liverpool's Fernando Torres eyeing up March Man Utd clash as he gathers with the stars at FIFA awards

With Rafael Benitez's side not in action until Monday's Anfield derby with Everton, reigning champions United could be in pole position with victories at home to Wigan Athletic tomorrow and at Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.

Torres acknowledges United are the team to beat as Liverpool seek their first title since 1990.

And the striker has pinpointed the March 14 clash between the pair as judgement day for the Anfield outfit's championship challenge.

"United are the favourites and the champions right now and have shown over the years they are a very powerful team," said Torres.

"They have two matches more to play and if they catch up will be on top of the league.

"We know we have Old Trafford waiting for us and then Arsenal and Chelsea at home. We have to fight until the very end.

"The match at Old Trafford could turn out to be the decider and we hope we can be on an equal footing when we go there and try to win the match at a place that has not been advantageous for us in the past."

Torres believes many Liverpool fans would value a domestic title more than a sixth European Cup triumph.

He added: "Of course this is extremely important for Liverpool and the people in the city. It is 19 years since they won the Premier League and I realise for them it is possibly more important than the Champions League.

"We are fighting with Manchester United and Chelsea, we have a good chance and we want to give this to the club and the fans as they have been waiting for, for so many years.

"But we know what Manchester United is all about - they are club champions of Europe and the world.

"We do respect this team, we know the class of this team, they have classy players and they are the favourites, but we will fight to keep up with them and perhaps be ahead of them when the end comes."

Torres was speaking at FIFA'S World Gala at Zurich's Opera House, where he finished third in the FIFA World Player of the Year award, won by United rival Cristiano Ronaldo.

Torres said: "Ronaldo and Messi are for sure the two best players in the world and to come next to them is a privilege.

"The very fact of being here is a reason to be proud to represent my club and my country. It's a matter of pride to have two Spaniards amongst this group," he added.

And the Portuguese winger reckons United will have "few troubles" in retaining the Premier League and Champions League if they continue their current form.

"Manchester United are of course in a good position right now to win both the Champions League and the Premier League again," said Ronaldo.

"We have shown we are one of the best clubs in the world and if we continue on this path we would have few troubles - we are in a very good position to win.

"We respect all the other teams but I believe we can win this year."

Meanwhile, Albert Riera believes Liverpool will not be found wanting as the title race begins to enter a critical period.

Benitez's side were worryingly lacklustre at Stoke on Saturday, but Riera reckons the attitude of the players in the wake of that performance proves they are ready for the challenge ahead.

"It showed me the character of the team," said the winger. "When I walked into the dressing room after the game everyone was devastated that we had only drawn a difficult away game.

"Stoke have a very good record at home and lots of teams have struggled to beat them.

"But we are top of the league and we had hoped to go there and win. We will remember this feeling and we will give everything for it not to happen again."

Riera knows that in England and in his homeland there can be twists and turns in every game.

He said: "On Sunday I watched Barcelona, who are top of La Liga, play against bottom club Osasuna. Everyone expected Barcelona to win comfortably but with 10 minutes remaining they were losing 2-1.

"They ended up scoring two goals in the last 10 minutes to win the game but it was a much tougher match for them than expected.

"This is the way football is - you can never take victories for granted because every team can be a danger.

"You have to work for every point. I can tell our fans that we will compete for every single point in every game that we play."