Houllier seeks to break United's stranglehold

Liverpool have fond memories of the Millenium Stadium. There may be occasional pangs for the Twin Towers or the hustle and bustle of Wembley Way, but the Reds are invincible in the Welsh capital.

Strange, then, that the man who lifted the second of their trio of trophies last season can barely suppress a shudder as he recalls those ecstatic scenes in May.

The England international's chance may come this season. While common sense suggests last night's 10=point chasm between Man United and second-place Arsenal can hardly have narrowed after the champion's £5.11 million spending spree, everyone is clamouring for a challenger: after 11 years without a league title, enter Liverpool.

Redknapp has more reason than most to relish the year ahead. As the longest-serving player at Anfield, he is a rare link between the Kenny Dagliesh years of relative underachievement and Gerald Houllier's re-birth of Liverpool. That alone must have made watching from the sidelines all the more agonising. The 28-year-old assumed the captaincy two years ago, but has only made three first-team starts since November 1999. None of them came last season.

Last year was spent shuttling backwards and forwards across the Atlantic to consult Dr Richard Steadman, the man hoping to restore Alan Shearer to full fitness. The left knee's cartilage and bone have now been successfully reshaped: "It's been rebuilt and should be as right as rain."

Houllier has taken similar care in sculpting the Liverpool side in the intervening period. There may have been only one addition to the squad - the versatile Norwegian John Arne Riise - in the summer, but his side smacks of genuine quality: from the experienced know-how of Gary McAllister to the youthful zest of Steven Gerrard; the power of Emile Heskey to the sublime Finnish flicks of Jari Litmanen.

"United are a great side, let's be honest," says Redknapp. "They've added to their midfield and forward line - both of which were brilliant anyway - and that shows real desire, but we're going to challenge them this season."

Redknapp's manager is all too aware of the expectations, but remains steeped in reality. Not since Manchester United in 1996-97 has a team managed to follow up victory in the Charity Shield with the Premiership crown. "That may affect my selection," Houllier jokes. "But this game will give us an indication of where we stand."

It may be nothing but a season curtain-raiser, a high-profile showcase that both managers might privately admit they could do without, but tomorrow's match should be a typically feisty affair. True to Redknapp's abysmal luck, the captain may have to play another walk-on part. A groin strain sustained in training kept him out of their latest cup victory - the 5-0 Champions League stroll against Haka Valkeakoski in Helsinki on Wednesday - and at best will leave him champing at the bit on the bench.

"You can expect something like this after not playing for 18 months," his manager says reassuringly. With a heavy schedule ahead of them, Redknapp may be joined in the dug-out by Gerrard although Sander Westerveld could return in goal.

"Jamie's worked so hard to get his fitness back. He mustn't let this niggle get to him." "At least the knee is fine," adds the midfielder. "I've been so patient for all that time that it would be foolish to mess it all up now. I have to prove myself this year - that makes me nervous, but you've got to be strong. This could be a big year and I want to be part of it, and not just in a collar and tie."

Alex Ferguson, meanwhile, revealed his blueprint for the new season yesterday, and it made depressing news for Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke.

Despite Cole's prolific striking rate for Manchester United over the past six seasons and Yorke's apparent renaissance over the pre-season, Ferguson disclosed that neither of the two will be first choices in his final season as boss.

Instead it is Ferguson's intention, he revealed, to abandon the 4-4-2 system he has used so religiously over the past 15 years and switch to 4-4-1-1, with Juan Sebastian Veron - who will miss the Charity Shield because of international duty with Argentina - alongside Roy Keane in the centre of midfield and Paul Scholes pushed forward to fill the "hole" behind Ruud van Nistelrooy.

"This is the system I will be using this season, particularly in our most important games. I think it's the way to go," said Ferguson. "It's a different way of doing things but it excites me.

"Scholes is one of the best finishers in the game. His record for England and with us in Europe shows he can play at the highest level. He has a great knack of getting into the penalty area and that is an asset we need to utilise.

"I think he and Ruud will gel. Van Nistelrooy is always looking to find space. There is no one better at in the game. He has been fantastic so far." On other occasions Ferguson will switch to 4-3-2-1, with Ryan Giggs given a more advanced position alongside Scholes.

For Cole and Yorke, not to mention Nicky Butt and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, it is inevitable that there will be disappointments ahead.

All four have made significant commitments to stay at Old Trafford since the turn of the year, Yorke verbally and the other three by signing new contracts. However, it is clear that they will have only bit parts in ferguson's final season in charge.

But Ferguson emphasised the benefits of his bloated squad. "We won't be using Ruud in every game," he said. "There will be times when we give him a rest and revert to two strikers. All the others will get plenty of football."

Kick-off: 2pm TV: Live, Sky Sports 2, 1pm; highlights, BBC1, 6.55pm, 1.05am