Manchester United vs Liverpool: Why Wednesday Is Not Just Another North-west Derby

Who said the Capital One Cup is a futile and meaningless competition?

Since being pulled from the hat, so to speak, on August 27, the third round tie between Manchester United and Liverpool will have firmly lodged itself at the forefront of both sets of fans’ minds. And the clash’s sphere of influence is not just around the north-west of England; all around the globe, football enthusiasts’ appetites will be teased by the prospect of the clubs’ second meeting in the space of just over three weeks.

Aside from the obvious animosity between the two rivals, separated almost reluctantly by the M62, there are other causes for anticipation ahead of Wednesday night’s match.

Firstly, both sides head into the game after losses and drab, uninspiring performances at the weekend. Liverpool, of course, slumped to an unexpected one-nil defeat at home to an admittedly stylish Southampton team, while United lost heavily, four-one, away to City in the Manchester derby. Subsequently, in my opinion, both managers, Brendan Rodgers and David Moyes, will treat Wednesday’s upcoming tie with heightened significance as they yearn for their sides to return to winning ways. After Liverpool’s 12 match unbeaten run in the league was brought to an unforeseen and abrupt end on Saturday, the reds’ boss immediately highlighted the importance of a resurgence from his team. “The Southampton defeat was hard to swallow,” Rodgers said. “We hadn’t lost in a long time. But we didn’t perform – and Southampton played well. All we can ever do is work hard and keep believing. What I see in the players is focus and hard work. We’ll have ups and downs.” These philosophical and level-headed remarks show the reds will take Saturday’s defeat in their stride and it wouldn’t surprise me to see them bounce back at Old Trafford.

Moreover, as if the fixture needed any more added spice, the mercurial genius, Luis Suarez, has now returned to availability, and looks set to be added to the mix. The Uruguayan completed his 10-match domestic ban on Saturday, and will surely be involved on Wednesday. If so, he will ironically make his return to action against the man who accused him of racism in October 2011: Manchester United left-back, Patrice Evra. Brendan Rodgers excitedly said today, Suarez is “chomping at the bit” to be back in action. Regardless of whether the shameless biting pun was intended, the manager’s comments suggest the striker will have a large part to play against United. Whilst I am uncertain of whether or not Suarez will start the game, due to his lack of recent first-team playing time, one thing is unequivocal: he’s a remarkable footballer, and his involvement will strengthen Liverpool.

Wednesday night’s tie will of course be the sides’ second meeting in just over three weeks. Liverpool hosted United on September 1 and ran out narrow, one-nil winners, in-front of a predictably fanatical Anfield faithful. Brendan Rodgers today said he is hoping that Liverpool fans can produce a similarly raucous atmosphere at Old Trafford: "The atmosphere that we had at the game at Anfield was incredible - the support really rallied us. I'm sure it will be likewise up there.” The game itself was a nervy, tempestuous affair, with the reds camped inside their own half for long periods of the game. However, this was partly consequential to Liverpool taking the lead early in the match and striving to retain their advantage; the home side limited the space available to United by retaining a compact, rigid shape, and looked to eliminate the chance of errors by playing conservative football. I’d expect more of an exhausting, fluid game this time around: a typically rousing cup tie.

The final factor which adds weight to an already largely anticipated match is the kick-off time: something which can be easily overlooked. By the time the game begins, at 19:45, the safe, serenity of daylight will have given way to a tumultuous, overhead cloak of evening darkness. There is something about a football match under lights which sees passions stoked and events dramatised (which Liverpool fans can relate to more than any) and I’m sure Wednesday night will be no different.

For now at least, the Capital One Cup is alive and kicking.