To miss UEFA Super Cup match against Chelsea
Liverpool's US owners and their shirt sponsor intervened over the weekend to help defuse a race row that was damaging one of the most successful English soccer clubs.
Only two teams -- Chelsea in 2005-06 and Manchester City last season -- have had more points after 18 Premier League games in a season than Liverpool's 48.
Manchester City's long winning run in the Premier League finally came to an end
Liverpool blew a chance take a vice-like grip on the title race and Chelsea suffered their worst league defeat in 23 years.
English Premier League champions Manchester City will kick off their title defence at home to promoted Southampton on August 18 before facing Liverpool at Anfield the following weekend.
'Before the start of the season I felt Manchester United will be a lot better this year and they were my tip for the title'
Second-placed Manchester United edged closer towards qualification for the Champions League
Teenager Federico Macheda's brilliant winner last weekend merely papered over the cracks in a Manchester United team floundering in their defence of the English Premier League title. When they visit Sunderland on Saturday (1930 IST), United may find themselves once again looking to claim back their one-point lead from Liverpool whose home kickoff against Blackburn Rovers is two-and-a-quarter hours earlier.
Images from Saturday's action in the English Premier League.
A summary of Saturday's matches in the English Premier League.
Philippe Coutinho scored twice as Liverpool recovered from an early deficit to beat struggling Premier League champions Chelsea 3-1 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday and pile more pressure on Blues manager Jose Mourinho.
Liverpool lifted the gloom hanging over their season with a 2-0 victory over Premier League champions and fierce rivals Manchester United on Sunday.
Arsenal delivered a brutal lesson in fast-paced Premier League football to beat Liverpool 4-1 on Saturday, maintaining their faint title aspirations and almost certainly dashing their opponents' hopes of a top-four finish.
England striker Daniel Sturridge celebrated his return after a five-month injury layoff when he came off the bench to score as Liverpool beat West Ham United 2-0 in the Premier League on Saturday.
It takes a lot to make Liverpool fans boo their own manager but when Rafa Benitez replaced Yossi Benayoun with Andriy Voronin in Tuesday's Champions League defeat by Olympique Lyon the jeers told their own story.
Manchester United are ready to tackle head on any challenge from super-rich neighbours Manchester City, manager Alex Ferguson said on Thursday.
Paul Scholes celebrated his 500th game for Manchester United in style by scoring the opener in a convincing 2-0 victory over old rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Ryan Giggs scored both times for Manchester United; Harry Kewell pulled one back for Liverpool.
Liverpool's long wait for a home league win over Manchester United finally ended on Saturday when Ryan Babel came off the bench to give them a deserved 2-1 victory over the champions. Carlos Tevez had put United ahead after three minutes, with a Wes Brown own goal levelling before Babel struck 13 minutes from time to secure their first home win against United for seven years.
Chelsea's Didier Drogba proved Arsenal's nemesis again on Sunday when he scored the opening goal in the champions' 2-0 win over their London rivals which stretched their lead at the top of the Premier League. Blackpool also had an afternoon to remember, with a shock 2-1 win at Liverpool, which left Roy Hodgson's mis-firing side in the bottom three.
Manager Alex Ferguson has written to Manchester United fans attending Sunday's match against Liverpool, urging them not to let the rivalry between the clubs turn into 'personal hatred'.
Two goals from Marcus Rashford gave United a 2-0 lead after 24 minutes and Juan Mata went close to a third with a bicycle kick inside the area. Liverpool had plenty of possession after the break but apart from Eric Bailly's 66th minute own goal, they created few real chances.
Arsenal kick-started their Premier League season at the expense of Liverpool with new signings Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla both opening their accounts in a comfortable 2-0 win at Anfield.
Mohamed Salah was inevitably on the scoresheet as Liverpool took full advantage of the inactivity of their top-four rivals to thrash West Ham United 4-1 at Anfield and provisionally move into second in the Premier League.
Summary of the Europa League semi-final matches played on Thursday.
Steven Gerrard scored twice as Liverpool beat West Ham United 3-0 at Upton Park on Saturday to move back on top of the Premier League and keep the pressure on Manchester United in the title race.
Liverpool's FA Cup match on Saturday is one of four all-Premier League tussles, with leaders Manchester United also hosting Aston Villa, Everton taking on Blackburn Rovers and Portsmouth facing Wigan Athletic.
Phil Foden struck twice as Manchester City stepped up their bid for a fourth Premier League crown in a row with a ruthless 4-0 victory at Brighton & Hove Albion on Thursday.
English Premier League leaders Manchester City and Chelsea slugged out a magnificent 4-4 draw at Stamford Bridge.
Premier League leaders Liverpool stumbled again at home and needed two Steven Gerrard goals to salvage a draw with Hull City. Luckily for the leaders two of their title rivals also dropped points.
Juan Mata scored on his Chelsea debut in a 3-1 home win over promoted Norwich City while Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam netted their first Liverpool goals in another 3-1 triumph over Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal cut a frustrated figure after his team lost 1-0 at home to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, their third successive defeat in the Premier League.
Manchester City suffered a third loss in four matches as Steven Gerrard earned Liverpool a 1-0 victory in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final at the Etihad Stadium Wednesday.
Whatever happens, there will be no shortage of drama between now and May 12.
Liverpool defender Glen Johnson will be out for around a month with a groin injury, British media reported on Wednesday.
The abuse occurred after City's Champions League semi-final victory over Paris St Germain on Tuesday.
Manchester United strolled to a 2-0 defeat of Manchester City on Sunday to return to the top of the Premier League and closer to a record-equalling 18th title.
The EPL champions will investigate Liverpool's conduct over Gabriel Heinze's move away from Old Trafford.
