Bragging rights will be at stake and flares will fly when bitter rivals Liverpool and Manchester United meet at Anfield in the top-four cracker. A win on Sunday means one side could miss out on a Champions League berth, with the winners qualifying at the losers expense.
Both sides are oozing with confidence of late, and given the home sides’ unbeaten run in the new year, expect this six-pointer to get a new dimension altogether.
Team News
Liverpool possess a clean bill of health, with no fresh injuries to deal with. Jordan Ibe, Jon Flanagan, José Enrique and Brad Jones won’t feature. Lucas Leiva could be evaluated before the game.
The visitors meanwhile are sweating on the fitness of first-choice defenders Marcos Rojo and Luke Shaw, with groin and hamstring injuries respectively. Both are not fit to start, but could make the bench. Robin van Persie is still sidelined though Louis van Gaal insisted that the Dutchman ‘has started doing some running’ in his bid to full recovery. Di Maria returns from his suspension.
Key Battles
Wayne Rooney vs Martin Škrtel
Captain influential Wayne Rooney has been in exceptional form, scoring five goals in his last six games. Although he hasn’t scored for ten years at Anfield, his present rich vein of form could be the exact opportunity to end his drought. His ability to drop deep coupled by his intelligent movement could ask the Liverpool defence some real questions.
Jordan Henderson vs Marouane Fellaini
The most intriguing battle of the lot, Liverpool’s stand-in captain will face-off against United’s big Belgian. Henderson has quite aptly stepped in for Steven Gerrard’s in the influential captain’s absence. The former Sunderland man’s work ethic along with his knack of popping up with crucial goals like the one he scored last weekend against Swansea has become a huge asset for the Reds. Fellaini on the other hand has been pivotal for the Red Devil’s, putting in a lion’s performance against Tottenham in their 3-0 romp. This middle-of-the-park battle could well decide the heated tie.
Philippe Coutinho vs Michael Carrick
Liverpool’s creative source and game-changer Philippe Coutinho has stepped up a level everytime his side has faced a top club, and will be at it again on Sunday. The Brazilian has found a new life since the turn of the new year, and the vibrant attacker’s ability to open up defences with alarming ease are bound to trouble van Gaal’s charges. Michael Carrick, with his brilliant return to first-team against Tottenham, will have a job at his hand with his quick-witted reading of the game.
Opta Stats
If Liverpool avoid defeat in this game they will match the longest unbeaten run of the season seen in the Premier League this season (14 games, recorded by Chelsea).
The Red Devils have lost just one of their last nine Premier League away matches (W4 D4 L1).
Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 14 matches in all competitions at Anfield (W7 D7).
Daniel Sturridge has scored in two of his three Premier League appearances for Liverpool against Man Utd.
Manchester United have won away at Anfield more times than any other team in Premier League history (10).
Only Liverpool v Everton (20) has seen more red cards in Premier League history than Liverpool v Manchester United (15) (including a record by one player in a single fixture – Nemanja Vidic with four.
Quotes
Brendan Rodgers
Despite going on a 13-game unbeaten run, Rodgers knows the importance of the game, with both sides trying to grab the all-important top-four spot.
“It’s all about two teams and two cities. Liverpool vs Man United is always a wonderful game with a great history.”
“United are looking to stay in the top four, we want to get above them and the other teams in there. They’re a big rival and we want to win the game,” the Liverpool boss said.
Louis van Gaal
Roders’ counterpart Louis van Gaal meanwhile has asserted that he ‘wants to win’, and that his side ‘cannot afford to lose’
“I want to win against them again. It’s very important. I think every player knows the importance of this game. We are in a very crucial stage and cannot lose.”
The Dutchman also wowed to get the club amongst the world’s elite.
“We’re all incredibly focused on getting the club back where it belongs & competing with the best teams in the world.”
Predicted Line-up’s
Liverpool
Liverpool are most likely to go unchanged from the side that beat Swansea.
Manchester United
Manchester United too, could set-out with the same side from their success against Tottenham. Marcos Rojo’s unavailability could see an unchanged defence, with Michael Carrick and Daley Blind continuing at centre-midfield and left-back respectively. Di Maria’s return could see him limited to the bench.
Prediction:
Liverpool 2-1 Manchester United
Expect a nerve-wrecking encounter, but for the Red’s to clinch it eventually.
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Image Courtesy: Getty, Echo.