Former Liverpool midfielder Graeme Souness has called on Reds talisman Steven Gerrard to step up his game and deliver the goods against Manchester United this weekend.

Brendan Rodgers's charges travel to Old Trafford on Sunday sitting ninth in the Premier League and seven points adrift of their opponents in third.

Souness told Sky Sports News: "Steven Gerrard is the one very special player that Liverpool have got, and he has been for the last 10 years, and time and time again he has got big goals in big games for them. Even at 34 you would argue that he is still their biggest influence.

"So hopefully that is the same at the weekend and he turns up at Old Trafford and whether it is a free kick, a magic pass, or he fires one in from 25 yards, they need someone to spark their season and he is the most likely one who can do that."

Liverpool also head to Manchester on the back of a disappointing Champions League exit following Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Basel at Anfield.