<text>  March 16, 2014. Liverpool travel away from Anfield for a game that will shape the destiny of their season and Brendan Rodgers confidence is telling. If we beat them, they cannot do it, Rodgers proclaims ahead of a trip to Old Trafford. He had just been asked what the consequences would be if Manchester United, who were trying desperately to keep pace in the race for the Champions League, lost to Liverpool. His words are backed up by a swaggering display, full of devilment, wit and counter-attacking menace. Manchester United are left punch-drunk by a 3-0 defeat that could have been even heavier, as Steven Gerrard with two pressure penalties and Luis Suarez ran amok. Steven Gerrard scored two penalties as Liverpool won 3-0 at Manchester United on March 16, 2014 . Luis Suarez bottom was also on the scoresheet as Liverpool built a 14-point gap over their arch-rivals . Liverpool headed home that afternoon with a 14-point gap over their rivals in the Barclays Premier League and had effectively destroyed any lingering hope that David Moyes had of commandeering a top four spot. It was a day when Rodgers saw his players make a massive statement of intent, a day that suggested there was a shift in the balance of power of this rivalry; leaving Old Trafford then, you felt it would be a long time before the deficit would be clawed back. Fast forward to March 16, 2015. Again Liverpool were away from Anfield for a vital fixture and again Rodgers confidence in the build-up was telling but, this time, there was no performance of verve and invention to back up his pre-game message. There was, however, doggedness, determination and the result was just as crucial. Jordan Hendersons freak goal, coming after they had spent much of a rain-sodden night in South Wales riding their luck and defending for their lives, has set them up for another afternoon of destiny with their most bitter foe. Jordan Henderson scored a second-half winner for Liverpool as they won 1-0 at Swansea on Monday night . Henderson runs off to celebrate his winner that moved Liverpool within two points of the top four . Hendersons right shot was deflected over the top of Swansea goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski and into the net . The goal was Hendersons right third in the last three Premier League games for Liverpool . No trophy will be presented at Anfield next Sunday but there is the sense that the winner of Liverpool and Manchester Uniteds latest showdown will take all in relation to the final spot in next years Champions League. It is going to be another day of reckoning. Do not underestimate how much Liverpool needed this result at the Liberty Stadium. They have stylishly worked their way into contention for the top four with a long unbeaten run but Uniteds victory over Tottenham had threatened to alter the landscape. What if a loss in Wales and had then be follow up with a defeat at Anfield? Such a scenario would have left bleak consequences for Liverpool. Those result would have left them with an eight-point deficit and not enough time to claw it back, especially with some tricky assignments looming. As it is, they go into English footballs Clasico brimming with confidence, two points behind United but ready to leapfrog Louis van Gaals men. They will need to step up on what they produced against Swansea to topple United but Rodgers has a glint in his eye and faith in his team. Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge centre tries to wriggle away from a challenge from Swanseas Jack Cork . Liverpool might not have last years electric swagger but they certainly know how to fight and, in some ways, the results they have put together since losing at Old Trafford on December 14 have been just as impressive as their unexpected title-charge. Nobody proved that determination more than Henderson, who emerged from a difficult first 45 minutes to keep on running and score the decisive goal, his challenge on Jordi Amat looping over Lukasz Fabianskis head to leave Rodgers punching the air. Henderson keeps on producing these important moments. For all the noise that is being created around Raheem Sterling and his contract stand-off, the most pressing contractual issue Liverpool have is with their vice-captain. He has scored in each of his last three Premier League games and has led the team with distinction in Gerrards absence. Young, hungry, talented English players like him are not ten-a-penny and it would be folly to let this drift. Liverpool should really get this business concluded. Raheem Sterling left runs at left back Neil Taylor during Mondays clash at the Liberty Stadium . Henderson right passes the armband to Steven Gerrard after he comes on as a second-half substitute . CHELSEA . Hull away - March 22 . Stoke home - April 4 . QPR away - April 12 . Man United home - April 18 . Arsenal away - April 26 . Leicester away - April 29 . Crystal Palace home - May 2 . Liverpool home - May 9 . West Brom away - May 16 . Sunderland home - May 24 . MANCHESTER CITY . West Brom home - March 21 . Crystal Palace away - April 6 . Man United away - April 12 . West Ham home April 19 . Aston Villa home - April 25 . Tottenham away - May 2 . QPR home - May 9 . Swansea away - May 16 . Southampton home - May 24 . ARSENAL . Newcastle away - March 21 . Liverpool home - April 4 . Burnley away - April 11 . Sunderland home April 18 postponed . Chelsea home - April 26 . Hull away - May 2 . Swansea home - May 9 . Man United away - May 16 . West Brom home - May 24 . MANCHESTER UNITED . Liverpool away - March 22 . Aston Villa home - April 4 . Man City home - April 12 . Chelsea away - April 18 . Everton away - April 26 . West Brom home - May 2 . Crystal Palace away - May 9 . Arsenal home - May 16 . Hull away - May 24 . LIVERPOOL . Man United home - March 22 . Arsenal away - April 4 . Newcastle home - April 13 . Hull away - April 18 . West Brom away - April 25 . QPR home - May 2 . Chelsea away - May 9 . Crystal Palace home - May 16 . Stoke away - May 24 . TOTTENHAM . Leicester home - March 21 . Burnley away - April 5 . Aston Villa home - April 11 . Newcastle away - April 19 . Southampton away - April 25 . Manchester City home - May 2 . Stoke away - May 9 . Hull home - May 16 . Everton away - May 24 . SOUTHAMPTON . Burnley home - March 21 . Everton away - April 4 . Hull home - April 11 . Stoke away - April 18 . Tottenham home - April 25 . Sunderland away - May 2 . Leicester away - May 9 . Aston Villa home - May 16 . Man City away - May 24 . Note: Fixtures in May subject to change for television schedule. For a full list of Premier League fixtures and to check kick-off times, results and league tables, visit our brilliant MATCH ZONE by clicking HERE. Games marked postponed will be rearranged due to FA Cup . 