<text>  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 years encounter still has plenty at stake, given the broadcasting revenue linked to Europes top club competition. Lazar Markovic left and Javier Manquilo right are put through their paces during Liverpools 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 Sundays game . Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel poses with a camera at the clubs Melwood ahead of Sundays 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, its a rivalry, but its another three points and well just approach the game as we always do - thats the most important thing. Its going to be a big game for us. Were going into the game looking to win it, as we always do, and were looking forward to it. Well go into this game with the right mentality, well 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, Hes great to play with. Hes very skilful, sees a pass and scores very nice goals, also, so its a pleasure to play with him. Hes quite chilled, hes not too loud. He has a little bit of a joke, but hes just a relaxed, calm guy. He comes in and does his work and is humble, just like everyone else is. I think its 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. Thats very possible with the attributes he has, so as long as he continues doing what hes doing, Im sure hell 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 Liveprools 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 Sundays 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 seasons Champions League at stake, Sundays fixture is one of the most important for Liverpool in recent history . 