Liverpool Vs. Manchester United
Sunday 6th March 2011
13:30 KO
Referee: Phil Dowd
Vs.
One of the most bitter and intense rivalries in English football returns for its latest instalment and should be every bit as passionate and controversial as usual.
Although Liverpool share a city with Everton and Manchester United are only down the road from Manchester City, both clubs look to the opposite end of the M62 when identifying their biggest rivals and the game they want to win more than any other.
Both Liverpool and United are level on 18 top-flight titles apiece and, although Liverpool are out of the running for the accolade this season, a win at Anfield would provide a huge boost to Sir Alex Ferguson's side after their loss to Chelsea on Monday night.
Since Kenny Dalglish returned to Liverpool as caretaker-manager, the emphasis has been on playing the right brand of football and remembering Liverpool's history.
A huge part of that history includes Dalglish's brilliant success as manager in the 1980s during a period when Liverpool reigned supreme over everybody - including United - and the Kop would love another reminder on Sunday that although Liverpool are not the power they once were, they are still capable of raising their game when Ferguson's side are in town.
Key Match-up: Luis Suarez v Wes Brown: With Nemanja Vidic missing for United after his dismissal on Monday, Brown is will have to go straight in and produce the goods from the start. Suarez has looked sparky and spiky since joining Liverpool in January and knows that a goal against United would cement himself in the Kop's affections for life.
Form Guide: Both sides go into the encounter having lost their last respective games. Liverpool were undone by West Ham United last Sunday while Carlo Ancelotti's Chelsea came from behind to beat United 2-1 at Stamford Bridge on Monday.
LIVERPOOL:
Dalglish is hoping that £35 million man Andy Carroll will be able to make his mark against United in what would be a highly pressurised debut for the striker.
Carroll is yet to play for Liverpool following his January transfer from Newcastle United because of a thigh complaint, but it is healing nicely and he is in contention, even if Dalglish did not want to admit that publicly.
Dalglish said: "Who we have and what we go with we don't know - and that includes Andy Carroll.
"Andy's training is always progressing, but it's not progressed into a game yet. We said all along that we've been delighted with his progress.
"There's nothing that he's done that's not been encouraging. Whether he's involved on Sunday or not I'm sure Fergie would love to know.
"We don't know, so if he knows he's a better guy than us. He might not even be a substitute."
Dalglish knows exactly how important this match is to Liverpool's fans -and how much they have hurt over the last two decades as United have usurped them as English football's biggest force.
And although Dalglish is respectful of Ferguson's achievements, he did not miss the opportunity to remind United that Liverpool's silverware cabinet contains more wealth than their own.
He added: "To their credit, United have won a fantastic amount of Championships and it shows how successful they have been.
"You take greater satisfaction from when your own team is successful and they've been more successful than Liverpool over the past 20 years.
"But at the end of the day we've still got bits we can hang on to. We've still won five European Cups."
Strategy: Liverpool will need no motivation for this game but calm heads will also be required. That means Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher will have to remain super-disciplined while Raul Meireles, Joe Cole and Lucas will all have to be creative from midfield. Dirk Kuyt and Suarez will share forward duties and Liverpool need to hassle United's defence and get behind the opposition if they are to cause problems.
Injury Update: Carroll is likely to feature at some point after finally recovering from his thigh problem but Martin Kelly (hamstring) and Jonjo Shelvey (knee) are both absent.
MANCHESTER UNITED:
Ferguson has vowed to get his players in the right mental state ahead of their trip to Merseyside.
Manchester United lost for only the second time this season earlier in the week against Chelsea and the Old Trafford manager is determined not to let that setback ruin their title charge in the closing stages of the season.
He said: "The role of the manager is to make sure the players are on the edge of their game all the time.They're human beings, individuals, and not every player is the same.
"Some players are self-motivated and can do that job themselves; others need it, some depend on it. You remind the players of their responsibilities, that's all part of the process.
"But we can't let a defeat pass without reacting ourselves as staff. That's not our style. The players have to understand that we suffer as much as they do.
"It's our job too, we've all prepared hard for the games, put in a lot of time and effort into preparing for matches."
Strategy: After their defeat at Stamford Bridge, Ferguson will be desperate to avoid slipping up once again. Expect him to pack their midfield as they look to shield their weakened defence.
Injury Update: The injury-list is headed by Rio Ferdinand who is out with a calf strain. Michael Owen (groin) is doubtful, while Anderson, Jonny Evans (both knee) and Ji-Sung Park (hamstring) are out. Nemanja Vidic is banned.
Sunday 6th March 2011
13:30 KO
Referee: Phil Dowd
One of the most bitter and intense rivalries in English football returns for its latest instalment and should be every bit as passionate and controversial as usual.
Although Liverpool share a city with Everton and Manchester United are only down the road from Manchester City, both clubs look to the opposite end of the M62 when identifying their biggest rivals and the game they want to win more than any other.
Both Liverpool and United are level on 18 top-flight titles apiece and, although Liverpool are out of the running for the accolade this season, a win at Anfield would provide a huge boost to Sir Alex Ferguson's side after their loss to Chelsea on Monday night.
Since Kenny Dalglish returned to Liverpool as caretaker-manager, the emphasis has been on playing the right brand of football and remembering Liverpool's history.
A huge part of that history includes Dalglish's brilliant success as manager in the 1980s during a period when Liverpool reigned supreme over everybody - including United - and the Kop would love another reminder on Sunday that although Liverpool are not the power they once were, they are still capable of raising their game when Ferguson's side are in town.
Key Match-up: Luis Suarez v Wes Brown: With Nemanja Vidic missing for United after his dismissal on Monday, Brown is will have to go straight in and produce the goods from the start. Suarez has looked sparky and spiky since joining Liverpool in January and knows that a goal against United would cement himself in the Kop's affections for life.
Form Guide: Both sides go into the encounter having lost their last respective games. Liverpool were undone by West Ham United last Sunday while Carlo Ancelotti's Chelsea came from behind to beat United 2-1 at Stamford Bridge on Monday.
LIVERPOOL:
Dalglish is hoping that £35 million man Andy Carroll will be able to make his mark against United in what would be a highly pressurised debut for the striker.
Carroll is yet to play for Liverpool following his January transfer from Newcastle United because of a thigh complaint, but it is healing nicely and he is in contention, even if Dalglish did not want to admit that publicly.
Dalglish said: "Who we have and what we go with we don't know - and that includes Andy Carroll.
"Andy's training is always progressing, but it's not progressed into a game yet. We said all along that we've been delighted with his progress.
"There's nothing that he's done that's not been encouraging. Whether he's involved on Sunday or not I'm sure Fergie would love to know.
"We don't know, so if he knows he's a better guy than us. He might not even be a substitute."
Dalglish knows exactly how important this match is to Liverpool's fans -and how much they have hurt over the last two decades as United have usurped them as English football's biggest force.
And although Dalglish is respectful of Ferguson's achievements, he did not miss the opportunity to remind United that Liverpool's silverware cabinet contains more wealth than their own.
He added: "To their credit, United have won a fantastic amount of Championships and it shows how successful they have been.
"You take greater satisfaction from when your own team is successful and they've been more successful than Liverpool over the past 20 years.
"But at the end of the day we've still got bits we can hang on to. We've still won five European Cups."
Strategy: Liverpool will need no motivation for this game but calm heads will also be required. That means Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher will have to remain super-disciplined while Raul Meireles, Joe Cole and Lucas will all have to be creative from midfield. Dirk Kuyt and Suarez will share forward duties and Liverpool need to hassle United's defence and get behind the opposition if they are to cause problems.
Injury Update: Carroll is likely to feature at some point after finally recovering from his thigh problem but Martin Kelly (hamstring) and Jonjo Shelvey (knee) are both absent.
MANCHESTER UNITED:
Ferguson has vowed to get his players in the right mental state ahead of their trip to Merseyside.
Manchester United lost for only the second time this season earlier in the week against Chelsea and the Old Trafford manager is determined not to let that setback ruin their title charge in the closing stages of the season.
He said: "The role of the manager is to make sure the players are on the edge of their game all the time.They're human beings, individuals, and not every player is the same.
"Some players are self-motivated and can do that job themselves; others need it, some depend on it. You remind the players of their responsibilities, that's all part of the process.
"But we can't let a defeat pass without reacting ourselves as staff. That's not our style. The players have to understand that we suffer as much as they do.
"It's our job too, we've all prepared hard for the games, put in a lot of time and effort into preparing for matches."
Strategy: After their defeat at Stamford Bridge, Ferguson will be desperate to avoid slipping up once again. Expect him to pack their midfield as they look to shield their weakened defence.
Injury Update: The injury-list is headed by Rio Ferdinand who is out with a calf strain. Michael Owen (groin) is doubtful, while Anderson, Jonny Evans (both knee) and Ji-Sung Park (hamstring) are out. Nemanja Vidic is banned.
