Before a ball had been kicked on March 14, 2009, Rafael Benitez’s careful planning for the clash with Manchester United that lunchtime, one he hoped would change the complexion of the title race, was disrupted.
An injury to Alvaro Arbeloa in the warm-up forced not only a personnel change but a positional switch, too. In came Sami Hyypia at centre-half, which meant a move to right-back for Jamie Carragher.
Liverpool's starting XI at Old Trafford on March 14, 2009
The Reds, who had dismantled Real Madrid 4-0 on a truly great European night at Anfield earlier in the week, trailed United by seven points before their trip down the East Lancs Road.