Liang Wenbo may be beginning his preparations for his much-anticipated World Snooker Championship clash with Ding Junhui, but tomorrow his attentions will turn to another local rivalry. Football fan Liang will be tuned into the Manchester United v Liverpool game and hoping that the Anfield outfit can upset their table-topping rivals at Old Trafford.

China's 22-year-old Liang has already got his hands on the Barclays Premier League trophy, which was brought to the World Snooker Academy in Sheffield on Tuesday for a photoshoot with last year's Crucible quarter-finalist.

Liang, who beat Dave Harold 10-3 to earn his place at the Crucible, names his favourite team as Sheffield United as he is a close friend of defender Sun Jihai, who often visits the Academy to play snooker. But Liang and Ding both follow the fortunes of Rafa Benitez's side.

"Hopefully Liverpool will get a good result this weekend and Steven Gerrard can follow in my footsteps and lift the trophy at the end of the season!" he said.