Ahead of the Game: Manchester United

Liverpool vs Manchester United

Premier League

Anfield

01/09/2013

13:30

Liverpool welcome (figuratively speaking) Manchester United to Anfield on Sunday in a footballing feast which will serve as a necessary distraction to the currently incessant transfer rumour mill. The reds were cruelly beaten two-one in the corresponding fixture last season; the home side took the lead through Steven Gerrard in the 46^th minute, after Jonjo Shelvey had earlier been sent off, but United turned the game around with goals from Rafael and Robin Van Persie.

Steven Gerrard put Liverpool ahead in the corresponding fixture last
season.

Liverpool have won four successive Premier League games - they last won five in a row back in May 2009. Brendan Rodgers will be hopeful that his team can maintain their winning start to the 2013/14 campaign, but this weekend’s game is sure to be Liverpool’s sternest test yet, after facing Stoke City and Aston Villa in the Premier League up to now.

Kolo Toure was carried off on a stretcher during the reds’ Capital One Cup victory over Notts County on Tuesday, and he looks set to miss out here. The Ivorian has marshalled Liverpool’s defence expertly at the start of the season and consequently his absence could be decisive on Sunday. Martin Skrtel, who was replaced in the Liverpool team by Jamie Carragher midway through last season and has recently returned to full training, could deputise at centre-back.

Elsewhere, the confident Daniel Sturridge will be hoping to retain his goal-scoring touch in a red shirt; The Englishman has so far netted 15 times in 19 games for Liverpool – a tally which comparatively took the striker 55 games to reach for previous club Chelsea. Incidentally, Sturridge got on the score-sheet on his Liverpool Premier League debut last season at Old Trafford in a two-one defeat, after being introduced from the bench at the beginning of the second half.

The leading talking point in the red half of Manchester this summer has inevitably been the retirement of Alex Ferguson and of course his replacement. Any United manager must be prepared for a fierce reception at Anfield, but David Moyes’ previous tenure at Liverpool’s local rivals, Everton, will surely intensify the hostility. This fiery reputation is supported by the fact that only fixtures between Everton and Liverpool (20) have seen more red cards handed out than the Premier League meetings between Manchester United and Liverpool (14).

David Moyes has soundly negotiated a potentially tricky start to the 2013/14 Premier League season: his side beat an impressive Swansea outfit four-one – though it was a score-line which perhaps flattered the victors – and then drew nil-nil against Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea last Monday in a cagey affair.


My Line-up

As I type this preview, nobody has officially ruled Kolo Toure out of the United game but I'll assume his inclusion is unlikely, judging by Brendan Rodgers' comments after the Notts County game. Should the Ivorian not make it, he will probably be replaced by Martin Skrtel at centre-back. After a series of errors last season, the Slovakian was replaced at the heart of Liverpool's defence by the now-retired Jamie Carragher, and as a result will be keen to prove himself to Brendan Rodgers on Sunday.

In midfield, the reds' manager will be looking to take advantage of David Moyes' preference to select just two central players. A trio of Lucas Leiva, Steven Gerrard and Jordan Henderson should achieve this and see Liverpool outnumber United in the middle of the pitch.

Further forward, an area of debate this week amongst Liverpool fans has been over whether or not Iago Aspas should be handed another start. For me, it's simple: he should play. Aspas made a habit of leaving his mark on big games for previous club Celta, and I feel an impassioned Anfield on match-day against United will suit the 26-year-old more than the likes of Raheem Sterling. Tactically, I'd also favour Aspas; the Spaniard's ability to drift in-between the lines and collect possession in pockets of space could prove fruitful in opposition to a team with no recognised defensive midfielder.


View From the Other Side

Manchester United fan @ManUtdFF - "Think 2-1 United, you'll control the game and we'll only have three or four real chances but will be more clinical. Sturridge I fear the most, didn't rate him to start with but looks like the real deal now. His pace could cause problems."

Manchester United fan @RicardoDV7 - "We win (MUFC), they lose (LFC). Simple. Will be a good game either way."

Manchester United fan @Rolfkoppter - "1-3, united crushing second half after Liverpool scores in first!"


One to Watch

Robin Van Persie - With 56 goals in his last two Premier League seasons combined, it's safe to say Van Persie will be Liverpool's greatest danger on Sunday. In my opinion, the Dutchman could play in any team in the world - that is the biggest compliment I can give him. Whoever partners Daniel Agger on Sunday, the reds' defenders will have to fully concentrated at all times.


Liverpool's Last Six

WWWWLW


Manchester United's Last Six

DWWLDW


Odds

Liverpool - 13/8
Draw - 12/5
Manchester United - 19/10


My Prediction

Liverpool 1 - 1 Manchester United


TV