Good afternoon! Brendan Rodgers will be speaking to the media shortly as his side prepares for a crucial match against top-four rivals Manchester United at Anfield this Sunday. Last time the teams met, back in December, was the last time that Liverpool were beaten in the league.

Since the defeat at Old Trafford, Rodgers's side have won 10 of their 13 Premier League matches, and a still in contention in the FA Cup. They've also been boosted by the return to fitness of club captain Steven Gerrard, who will be facing Manchester Utd for the final time before his move to the MLS at the end of the season.

Liverpool's recent winning run has coincided with Daniel Sturridge's return from injury, and he insists that the team will be in the right frame of mind on Sunday:

This fixture marks the start of a tricky few weeks for the Reds. After the international break, they have a trip to Arsenal before hosting Newcastle, who beat them earlier in the season. There's also an FA Cup quarter-final replay against Blackburn to contend with.

While the players have no doubt been working hard to get ready for this match, defender Martin Skrtel still appears to have found time to have some fun in training this morning, talking over club photographer duties:

Don't forget, if you want to find out the result from this match, you can join us from an hour before kickoff for all the action from Anfield, as well as team news and post-match quotes.

While we wait for Rodgers, why not have a read about the latest transfer rumour surrounding Liverpool, which sees Arsenal's Theo Walcott being linked with a move to Anfield in the summer.

Rodgers is keeping the media waiting this afternoon! Now is probably a good time to let you know that we'll also have live coverage from Louis van Gaal's media briefing later this afternoon. So if you want to see what the Manchester United manager has to say about his first trip to Anfield, make sure you join us again from 4.15pm.

Rodgers is finally ready to get his press conference underway, so let's see what's on his mind this week...

Rodgers begins by trying to play down the significance of the match: "These games are always great spectacles, I don't think the result will have an over-riding effect [at the end of the season]."

Attention quickly turns to Raheem Sterling's contract situation, and the manager reveals: "It's been made clear by Raheem and his representatives that he wants to concentrate on his football and see what can be resolved in the summer. The boy is happy here, this is the best place for him to be. I am sure it will be resolved."

On the team's form, Rodgers admits: "We have good momentum and have shown our qualities over the past three months. The players deserve a huge amount of credit. At home, we're always confident."

Rodgers is asked about his returning captain, and he says: "It's been unfair on the boy, he's a wonderful player. When he was injured, people were trying to write him off. Firstly, he's a fan of this club, and his support for Jordan Henderson and Joe Allen has been fantastic, and his support for me is incredible."

Rodgers reiterates that criticism of Gerrard has been "unfair": "Some have been trying to make a negative story, which couldn't be further from the truth. I find it unfair on him. Playing or not playing, he shows unbelievable application and professionalism. He'll still have a big role to play."

Attention turns to this weekend's opponents, and Rodgers says: "They've been up there right throughout the season. They've got top class players and a world class manager."

Rodgers insists that he has faith in his own managerial system: '[Beating Swansea] shows even when we don't play well, we have the resilience to get a result. I have an inherent belief in how I work. I'm very early in my career as a manager."

Remembering the team's last game against United, Rodgers says: "However the criticism comes, deserved or undeserved, you won't like it but you have to accept it. You have to understand the circumstances. You have to stay focused. I have an inherent belief in how I work, and when it is scrutinised and ridiculed, you go back to that platform."

On his squad, Rodgers reveals: "Lucas Leica is back in training, and Balotelli is fine now. He's back in training and feeling much better now [following a bout of illness]."

And with that, Rodgers makes his exit from the press centre. So, make sure you join us again on Sunday afternoon to see if Liverpool can make it six wins in a row in the league. Until then, thanks for joining me this afternoon. Goodbye.