Liverpool players ramped up their preparations ahead of the crucial top-four showdown with fierce rivals Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday . The Reds are currently fifth in the Premier League table with 54 points , just two behind United in fourth . Having both spent heavily in the summer transfer window , both teams are under huge pressure to secure Champions League football next season and while previous meetings between the two sides may have been contested higher up the table , this year 's encounter still has plenty at stake , given the broadcasting revenue linked to Europe 's top club competition . Lazar Markovic ( left ) and Javier Manquilo ( right ) are put through their paces during Liverpool 's training session at the Melwood training centre . Alberto Monreno ( left ) runs ahead of Reds defender Dejan Lovren ( right ) as the club prepare to face Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday . Lovren , who signed for Liverpool from Southampton last summer , runs mischievously with one of the free-kick dummies in training . Lovren joined Liverpool from Southampton for a reported £20million fee and after a slow start has begun to settle into life on Merseyside . The defender smiles during the training session at Melwood as Liverpool step up their preparations for Sunday 's game . Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel poses with a camera at the club 's Melwood ahead of Sunday 's clash with United . All too aware of what is at stake is Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge , who believes that three points and momentum in the race for a top-four finish will render the local bragging rights associated with the fixture as incidental . He told Liverpoolfc.com : 'Of course , it 's a rivalry , but it 's another three points and we 'll just approach the game as we always do - that 's the most important thing . 'It 's going to be a big game for us . We 're going into the game looking to win it , as we always do , and we 're looking forward to it . 'We 'll go into this game with the right mentality , we 'll look to play our football and to try to go out there and win the game . Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge has said that three points must be the priority when Liverpool take on Manchester United on Sunday . Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers addresses his players in training as he hopes to guide them to a top four finish this season . Liverpool coach Colin Pascoe ( centre ) is in high spirits with his players , as Mario Balotelli ( right ) is held by Skrtel and Lovren . Liverpool left-back Jose Enrique shares a joke with his team-mates in training ahead of the crucial match against Manchester United . Meanwhile , Sturridge was full of praise for attacking dynamo Philippe Countinho , whose development this season have been central to an upturn in form for Liverpool , who have not lost in their last 13 league games , since the 3-0 defeat by United in December . On Coutinho , Sturridge said , 'He 's great to play with . He 's very skilful , sees a pass and scores very nice goals , also , so it 's a pleasure to play with him . 'He 's quite chilled , he 's not too loud . He has a little bit of a joke , but he 's just a relaxed , calm guy . He comes in and does his work and is humble , just like everyone else is . ' I think it 's down to him to work as hard as he possibly can to get to where he wants to be - and I am sure he wants to aim for the stars . 'That 's very possible with the attributes he has , so as long as he continues doing what he 's doing , I 'm sure he 'll go a long way in the game . ' Club captain Steven Gerrard , who is set to leave Liverpool in the summer , heads the ball ahead of Sturridge at Melwood . Moreno ( left ) is outpaced by winger Markovic ( right ) as Liveprool 's players ready themselves for arguably the biggest game of the season . Liverpool defender Kolo Toure heads the ball to his team-mates on the other side of a net as Liverpool focus on beating United at the weekend . Former England captain Gerrard will join MLS side LA Galaxy when his contract at Liverpool expires at the end of the season . Gerrard ( right ) poses with team-mate Mamadou Sakho ( left ) ahead of Sunday 's game at Anfield . Markovic ( left ) is held by Lovren ( right ) as the pair share a joke during the training session at Melwood on Friday . With a place in next season 's Champions League at stake , Sunday 's fixture is one of the most important for Liverpool in recent history .
Daniel Sturridge face Manchester United in the Premier League at Anfield on Sunday . The fierce rivals are both competing to finish in the top four this season . Liverpool insists The Reds are fully focused on getting three points . READ : Daniel Sturridge vs Man Utd team news , probable line ups and more . CLICK HERE for all the latest Daniel Sturridge news .