Introduction
Manchester United return to league action on Sunday as they make the short trip to Anfield to take on arch rivals Liverpool. The Reds will be looking to bounce back from Tuesday's narrow defeat to Chelsea with a valuable three points in the title race as they look to surpass the 18 league championships held by their hosts.
This will be the 156th meeting of the two clubs with United having won 60 to Liverpool's 52. It will also be Sir Alex's 950th match in charge of the Reds.
This will be the 156th meeting of the two clubs with United having won 60 to Liverpool's 52. It will also be Sir Alex's 950th match in charge of the Reds.
The Opposition
Liverpool currently sit in 6th position in the Premier League with a total of 39 points from their 28 games. Their home record this season is won eight, drawn four and lost two which is the fourth best in the league. Their season has been rejuvenated somewhat by the return of Kenny Dalglish as manager after the pre-season appointment of Roy Hodgson led to a string of poor results culminating in the former Fulham boss being replaced on the eve of the FA Cup tie with United back in January.
The hosts have won the last two games at Anfield versus United which was preceded by losing five of the previous six.
An interesting stat of note is that Liverpool have dropped 19 points from winning positions this season, a feat that is only beaten by Sunderland. Therefore it is something that United can take heart from if they find themselves behind at any stage.
They are unbeaten in their last five home matches with three wins although they failed to beat struggling Wigan last time out.
Tactics
An interesting point pre-match is that neither team is 100% sure on thir definite formation. Liverpool have been employing a 3-5-2 of late which was used successfully recently at Stamford Bridge but has also fallen down in the draw against Wigan and the loss to West Ham. The absence of Martin Kelly at right back may well see a change occur with Carragher moved to right back and Skrtel and Agger in the centre. Alternatively they could keep the three centre backs and move Johnson back to his more familiar slot on the right and install Aurelio on the left.
If United go for a 4-5-1 formation then effectively the home team will have two spare men with only Rooney or Berbatov to occupy them. As none of Liverpool's centre backs could be described as ball players this may present them with a problem. If United stick with a 4-4-2 then three at the back would be best employed to contain the partnership of Rooney and Berbatov. United will surely target the wide areas as a possible area to damage the home team. With the Liverpool full backs expected to produce most of the width, United will attempt to push them back or go on the counter attack quickly when the ball breaks their way. If United's wide men (including full backs) have the dominance that they enjoyed in the first half against Chelsea then I would expect them to win the game.
However, I am expecting a 4-5-1 formation from United mainly due to the fact that the first choice centre back partnership will be missing and the boss will want to protect them with three in the middle.
I cannot think of a game in the recent past where the decision on both teams formations are so unclear pre-match. Whatever is decided will have a huge bearing on the outcome of the three points.
The hosts have won the last two games at Anfield versus United which was preceded by losing five of the previous six.
An interesting stat of note is that Liverpool have dropped 19 points from winning positions this season, a feat that is only beaten by Sunderland. Therefore it is something that United can take heart from if they find themselves behind at any stage.
They are unbeaten in their last five home matches with three wins although they failed to beat struggling Wigan last time out.
Tactics
An interesting point pre-match is that neither team is 100% sure on thir definite formation. Liverpool have been employing a 3-5-2 of late which was used successfully recently at Stamford Bridge but has also fallen down in the draw against Wigan and the loss to West Ham. The absence of Martin Kelly at right back may well see a change occur with Carragher moved to right back and Skrtel and Agger in the centre. Alternatively they could keep the three centre backs and move Johnson back to his more familiar slot on the right and install Aurelio on the left.
If United go for a 4-5-1 formation then effectively the home team will have two spare men with only Rooney or Berbatov to occupy them. As none of Liverpool's centre backs could be described as ball players this may present them with a problem. If United stick with a 4-4-2 then three at the back would be best employed to contain the partnership of Rooney and Berbatov. United will surely target the wide areas as a possible area to damage the home team. With the Liverpool full backs expected to produce most of the width, United will attempt to push them back or go on the counter attack quickly when the ball breaks their way. If United's wide men (including full backs) have the dominance that they enjoyed in the first half against Chelsea then I would expect them to win the game.
However, I am expecting a 4-5-1 formation from United mainly due to the fact that the first choice centre back partnership will be missing and the boss will want to protect them with three in the middle.
I cannot think of a game in the recent past where the decision on both teams formations are so unclear pre-match. Whatever is decided will have a huge bearing on the outcome of the three points.
Key Player - Lucas
My key player from Liverpool is their unsung defensive midfield player from Brazil. He is likely to sit in front of their back four and will look to break up play and pass simply to a more attack minded colleague.
My key player from Liverpool is their unsung defensive midfield player from Brazil. He is likely to sit in front of their back four and will look to break up play and pass simply to a more attack minded colleague.
The 5ft 8 Brazilian has made 154 appearances and scored six goals for Liverpool since signing for a fee of around £5m from Gremio in July 2007.
He is the nephew of former international Leivinha and is the former captain of the Brazilian U20 team. He made his full international debut in August 2007 against Algeria but missed out on World Cup selection in the summer.
United
With no weekly press conference from the manager today, I will have to predict my team based on what is known from earlier in the week. With Vidic suspended and Ferdinand injured, Sir Alex intimated that Wes Brown would fill the gap following Tuesday's match against Chelsea. A few whispers from various sources have indicated that the England captain has not yet been fully ruled out as yet but this remains to be seen. It would be a risk to play him so I can see him returning for the Arsenal FA Cup match ahead of the Champions League second leg against Marseille. As Brown is very much a defender in the Vidic mould then I can see him being the only change in the back four from Tuesday. Evra is known to have picked up a knock but is expected to play. John O'Shea is expected to keep his place ahead of Rafael and his form certainly warrants his inclusion.
Although an attacking 4-4-2 formation was selected on Tuesday, I would expect a return to the usual away pick of 4-5-1. This will help to match up with Liverpool in midfield who have played a 5-3-2 recently. After signing contract renewals this week, Carrick and Fletcher will expect to start and after a stint on the bench in midweek, I think Paul Scholes will get the nod in his quarterback role and will look to complete a fixture that he has been sent off twice in the past for clashes with Xabi Alonso.
The wide men are likely to be Nani and Giggs with Rooney up front but it is possible that Berbatov could be restored with the Englishman moving out wide. The impending return of both Park and Valencia will give the manager some more options in the wing department if they can be passed fit after injury lay off's of varying length.
After a surprise start at Stamford Bridge, Hernandez is likely to find himself back on the bench, ready to make an impact late in the game should the need arise.
Score Prediction
After the loss to Chelsea, it is imperative that the Reds do not follow up with another against their arch rivals. It has been 75 games since the last back to back defeats and it would be a mighty blow to confidence at such a crucial time in the season. I am feeling confident and will plump for a 1-2 score line at Anfield. I can see Liverpool scoring first and then Fletcher equalising before a late Rooney winner to send the United faithful home happy.
Please leave any comments below with your predictions for the score and the team ahead of the game. During and after the match please tweet me with your thoughts and the best will get a mention on my review blog.
As mentioned in my Chelsea review post - "Keep calm and have faith"
Great preview, would love to see the result you predicted come true,since scholes played in a high tempo game against chelsea midweek,i think it will be a good idea to play giggs in the middle as an advanced playmaker,with berbatov upfront and rooney moving to left,i think its a role that giggs can excel in given his eye for the killer pass, wud love to know your opinion on this, cheers
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