Liverpool vs. Manchester United Match Preview

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AUTHOR: – Doron

I may be getting a bit over-excited, but this game for United fans is quite simply the fixture of the season. Victory at Anfield is like no other and tomorrow United will be trying to create new memories to go alongside some special moments in the not-so-distant past. Whilst United are battling for the title, Liverpool are in their own fight for a European place – the sub-plots make this one tasty affair.

After finishing a disappointing 7th last season, Liverpool found themselves nearer the wrong end of the table than the right one for the first half of this season. Roy Hodgson’s short spell in charge will be remembered for all the wrong reasons by Liverpool supporters. With the side in 12th, in came Kenny Dalglish on the 8th of January to try and resurrect the club’s season. It started badly with defeat at Old Trafford in the FA Cup followed by another defeat at Blackpool and a draw at home to rivals Everton. However wins in three of the next four games, including victory away at Chelsea suggested things were turning round – yet, the two most recent league results (a draw at home to Wigan and a defeat away at struggling West Ham) merely highlight there is a lot of work still to do.

Since United last met Liverpool, nearly two months ago there have been changes to the squad as well as in the dugout. Ryan Babel left and was followed out the door on deadline day by star striker Fernando Torres in a record £50m move. Their replacements came in the form of £35m club record signing Andy Carroll and for £23m Luis Suarez from Ajax. So far Suarez has one goal in his three league appearances but already looks like a sharp signing. Carroll signed carrying an injury so has not featured but is tipped to make the bench against United. It’s hard to know why Liverpool have failed this season – the squad probably lacks talent in some areas, there have been injuries and key players haven’t performed well enough on a regular basis. Summer signing, Joe Cole has hardly lit up Anfield and Steve Gerrard, the usually reliable captain has played within himself this year.

Under Dalglish, Liverpool have reverted to a new formation, a 3-4-2-1 or a 3-5-1-1 depending on which way one wishes to look at it. Essentially they now play with 3 centre backs, old-fashioned wing backs, either two or 3 holding midfielders with the aim of freeing up Raul Meireles to play behind a striker. In some games it’s worked well however it does pack the middle of the pitch and whilst it should reduce the number of goals conceded, it’s also reduced the number of goals scored (only 6 in 6 games in February in all competitions). As mentioned, the main beneficiary of the change has been Raul Meireles. The summer signing scored 5 goals in 6 games in the middle of January and the beginning of February. The Liverpool fans are finally starting to see a very clever player who as well as score, can pick out a pass and beat a man. I think he’s the player United have to be wary of should he play.

Just like midweek when United faced a Chelsea side that had a week to prepare, Liverpool have also had a week to rest and get everything in order for the game. Their last league game came away at West Ham last weekend where they lost 3-1. In the league in 2011 they’ve won 5 out of 10 with three defeats; at present they haven’t won in two games. At home, Liverpool’s league form has been good, their record is as good or equal to two of the five sides above them in the league. Only three sides have conceded fewer goals at home however Liverpool haven’t been scoring enough goals; that coupled with their away form means they have a goal difference of just +1. At present Chelsea are the 3rd most in-form side in the league (United are 4th), taking 13 points from their last 18 but at home their recent form has been average with only 11 points taken from their last 18 available.

Liverpool have a blow in losing young right back Martin Kelly for a month – his breakthrough this year has certainly been impressive. Raul Meireles is expected to play after overcoming a knee injury but Daniel Agger’s thigh problem may see him miss out. Andy Carroll will have trained for four days leading up to the game and it’s thought that’s not enough for him to warrant a start but a place on the bench is more likely. Youngster, Jonjo Shelvey who came on in the FA Cup game in January against United is definitely ruled out with a knee injury. Raul Meireles is the club’s leading scorer in the league with just five goals. Liverpool have dropped 19 points from winning positions this season – only Sunderland (20) have fared worse.

Enough on Liverpool…onto United and my predicted line up:

Football Fans Know Better

Starting with the team news. In truth, we don’t really know it! Ferguson called off the press conference yesterday and didn’t speak to MUTV or the radio either. Based on injuries before Chelsea and any bumps sustained during the Chelsea match, Ferdinand and Evans are still doubts, Vidic is suspended and Evra we assume to be fit despite getting a knock against Chelsea. In the midfield, Park, Anderson and Hargreaves are out with the game likely to be too soon for Valencia. Owen is another who remains doubtful with a groin injury. That could mean as many as 9 first team players are not available for this game.

In front of Edwin I’ve once again picked O’Shea. His performance at Chelsea was excellent and he continues to use his height, presence and experience to vital effect. With Vidic out, it seems natural to question whether Smalling will be included. I think we will be with Brown partnering him. However I could understand if Ferguson felt a Smalling-Brown partnership would be a risk due to their lack of playing time together and hence one option is Rafael at right back with O’Shea and Brown in the middle.

I’ve chosen a primary formation of a 4-5-1. Nani on the right with Rooney on the left. In the middle I think Carrick will continue to anchor the team with Fletcher and Giggs either side. I’ve gone for Giggs over Scholes as I thought Paul looked exhausted at Chelsea. He was subbed off early, maybe because he was tired but I appreciate it may have been with this game in mind. The advantage to playing Giggs and Rooney in the midfield together is represented by the (dodgy) arrows. If need be, this side can easily switch to a 4-4-2 without the need for a substitution, with Giggs going wide and Rooney up front.

It is harsh on Chicharito to leave him out but for all his good movement at Chelsea, he was somewhat lost in the game. I think Berbatov is now due a start but it’s impossible to drop Rooney having scored 5 in 5 in the league. I don’t think 4-4-2 would be clever against Liverpool’s packed midfield so with Rooney wide left it means he’s not left out.

United remain top having lost at Chelsea midweek. A four game unbeaten run came to a sharp end and United will be looking to avoid back-to-back league defeats – the last time that happened was nearly two years ago. Liverpool have a big Europa League game away at Braga just four days after this game and with a realistic chance of silverware in that competition, Dalglish may have half an eye on it. For United it’s big game after big game right now as Arsenal come to Old Trafford in a week for an FA Cup quarter final which is followed by the return leg against Marseille.

Recent form shows United have slipped to fourth in the form league with 12 points taken from a possible 18 in the last six games. Whilst the home form has been impeccable, their away form hasn’t been as impressive. In 14 away games, only four have been won with eight drawn. United have been in goalscoring form away from home though, 23 goals scored is the second highest in the league. In actual fact United’s current away form has been good in comparison to other sides – 10 points from the last 6 games is the second best away form in the league.

In Dimitar Berbatov United have the league’s top goalscorer (19 goals) and in Nani the league’s top assister (15 assists; Rooney is joint 2nd with 11). Berbatov and Nani alone have scored 28 league goals this season – five more than the entire Liverpool team have managed at home. United are the Premier League’s top scorers, with 62 goals in 28 matches. Should Ryan Giggs play tomorrow, he’ll make history by breaking Bobby Charlton’s appearance record of 606 league games for the club. There is a milestone of sorts for Fergie too, this will be his 50th league duel against Liverpool and his 950th top-flight match in charge of the Reds. Two goals for Rooney would see him hit a landmark – 100 Premier League goals for United.

United’s record at Anfield isn’t bad. 18 Premier League games there have seen 25 goals scored by each side but 9 wins to United (with 3 draws and 6 defeats). Recent history has seen United lose two in a row at Anfield but since that last defeat United have won three times against Liverpool at Old Trafford. In the past 8 seasons, United have won 5 of the games at Anfield so apart from the past two years, recent history has seen good results there.

It doesn’t need me to explain just what the rivalry between the two sides means. United have some fantastic memories of Anfield in the Premier League so I will share some videos at the bottom of this blog.

This is a tough game regardless of how Liverpool are doing in the league, Anfield is always intimidating. United were good against Chelsea despite the result and so if they can play like that again on Sunday I will predict a 2-1 win.

You can share with us your thoughts ahead of the match and your favourite moments from games away to Liverpool on our forum.

As promised, here are some of the better memories from trips to Anfield…

I advise only watching the first half:

Pallister at the double:

He came from Uruguay, he made the Scousers cry:

O’Shea living the dream of every United fan – to score the winner deep into injury time in front of the Kop:

Rooney’s winner:

Tevez sealing a win:

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