Manchester United vs. Liverpool: Wayne Rooney and Stars Who Will Shine

With Manchester United just two points behind Manchester City for the top spot in the English Premier League, the Red Devils' match with Liverpool is of the utmost importance. The Reds have a major stake as well, since they are toiling in seventh place at the moment.

It is sure to be a star-studded affair, so there is no shortage of potential heroes and goats. Both teams will be desperate to at least get a draw out of this match, so it should be nip and tuck throughout. It very well could come down to an elite player making a play late in the match to lift his team.

Here are three stars that will shine in Saturday's big clash.

Paul Scholes

Signed out of retirement several weeks ago due to Man U's myriad of injuries in the midfield, Paul Scholes has proven why he is one of the best English soccer players of all time.

The 37-year-old fan favorite may not be as skilled as he was in his prime, but he is an extremely savvy player who has a calming influence when he is in the lineup.

In just four contests, Scholes has a goal on four shots this season. He has been through all the battles over the course of his career, and he clearly realizes the importance of this game.

The Red Devils would like nothing more than to pass Manchester City in the EPL standings. With the game on the line, Scholes figures to make a big play that will have a large bearing on the result.

Luis Suarez

To say 2011 has been a tumultuous year for Liverpool forward Luis Suarez would be an understatement. When his head is screwed on right and he is focused on soccer, he is among the best players in the world.

That isn't always the case, however, as evidenced by his eight-match ban for using racial slurs against Manchester United defender Patrice Evra during a game in October 2011.

Suarez will be facing Evra on Saturday, but I wouldn't expect any further shenanigans. Suarez has to have learned from his past transgressions and will be all business against the Red Devils.

Suarez has been having an up-and-down season with five goals in 19 matches, but he needs to come up big for the Reds to pull off the upset. He will certainly make his presence felt.

Wayne Rooney

As arguably the best player in the EPL, it should come as no surprise that Man U striker Wayne Rooney headlines this list. Rooney has an impressive 15 goals in just 21 games this season, and he is unquestionably Manchester United's most integral player.

Nobody else in the league is as dangerous up top as Rooney, so he is somebody the Reds will have to account for at all times.

Even when Rooney isn't scoring goals, he is opening up space for his teammates since so much of the defensive focus is on him. Rooney has had plenty of success against Liverpool over the years, and that figures to continue on Saturday.

Even when the Red Devils aren't at their best, Rooney has the ability to will them to victory. Look for Rooney to make a spectacular play late in the game en route to a Man U win.