Fernando Torres eyeing up rivals clash in March as he gathers with the stars

FERNANDO TORRES believes Liverpool’s visit to Old Trafford in March could prove decisive in the race for the Premier League crown.

But the Spain international admits that Manchester United are now favourites to claim a third successive championship and move level with the Anfield outfit on 18 titles.

While leaders Liverpool dropped two points in a dismal draw at struggling Stoke City over the weekend, United scored an impressive 3-0 home win over a poor Chelsea to close the gap between the teams to five points.

With Rafael Benitez’s side not in action until Monday’s Anfield derby with Everton, reigning champions United could be in pole position with victories at home to Wigan Athletic tomorrow and at Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.

Torres acknowledges United are the team to beat as Liverpool seek their first title since 1990.

And the striker has pinpointed the March 14 clash between the pair as judgement day for the Anfield outfit’s championship challenge.

“United are the favourites and the champions right now and have shown over the years they are a very powerful team,” said Torres.

“They have two matches more to play and if they catch up will be on top of the league.

“We know we have Old Trafford waiting for us and then Arsenal and Chelsea at home. We have to fight until the very end.

“The match at Old Trafford could turn out to be the decider and we hope we can be on an equal footing when we go there and try to win the match at a place that has not been advantageous for us in the past.”

Torres believes many Liverpool fans would value a domestic title more than a sixth European Cup triumph.

He added: “Of course this is extremely important for Liverpool and the people in the city. It is 19 years since they won the Premier League and I realise for them it is possibly more important than the Champions League.

“We are fighting with Manchester United and Chelsea, we have a good chance and we want to give this to the club and the fans as they have been waiting for, for so many years.

“But we know what Manchester United is all about – they are club champions of Europe and the world.

“We do respect this team, we know the class of this team, they have classy players and they are the favourites, but we will fight to keep up with them and perhaps be ahead of them when the end comes.”