Manchester United v Liverpool Preview

Manchester United v Liverpool
Old Trafford
Kick-off: 13.30 GMT
TV: Live on Sky Sports 1, highlights BBC ONE Match of the Day 2

Referee: Howard Webb (Matches 16, Red 2, Yellow 57)

Manchester United

United have the chance to go ten points clear at the top of the table if they manage to record a victory in the early kick-off, and they are certainly favourites to. Having won their last seven home games in the Premier League and suffering only one loss all season at Old Trafford United will be expecting to take all three points from Sunday’s fixture. However, with players such as Luis Suarez and Steven Gerrard in Liverpool’s ranks there is always the chance of an upset; especially with United’s well documented defensive fragilities.

Team News

There will be no repeat of Wayne Rooney’s brace which decided this fixture last season as he is sidelined for another week with a knee injury. This will leave a place in the side for either Japanese midfielder Shinji Kagawa or Mexican striker Javier Hernandez. In better injury news Anderson and Nani both return to the United squad after missing eight and fourteen games respectively, both are unlikely to start. It is likely that Sir Alex will stick with the usual partnership of Jonny Evans and Rio Ferdinand however the return to fitness of Nemanja Vidic could cause a selection dilemma for Ferguson.

Key Player

With sixteen league goals Robin Van Persie is the Premier League’s top scorer so far this season and will no doubt be looking to add to that tally on Sunday afternoon. The £24 million summer signing has eased the goal scoring pressure on talisman Wayne Rooney so much this season that United have managed to score an impressive twelve goals in his four game absence. If Liverpool aren’t watertight at the back the Flying Dutchman will no doubt take advantage and leave Pepe Reina scrambling across his goal.

Liverpool

Good performances earlier in the season against the likes of United have finally been turned into points on the board for Brendan Rodgers team. They head into the game with five wins in their last seven Premier League games and three clean sheets in their last four league games. They will be under no allusion however that they are firmly underdogs in this fixture and have a poor record against superior teams so far this season. Liverpool are yet to record a win against opposition higher placed than them in the league this season, a damning stat which will have to change if Liverpool want to have any chance of even competing for a top four spot.

Team News

New signing Daniel Sturridge will be expected to make his first Premier League appearance for Liverpool following a goal scoring debut for his new side. Sturridge sees himself as a central striker and as Rodgers has already stated he believes he deserves the opportunity to show his worth in that position. This is likely to mean Luis Suarez will play in a wide left role as he did with much success at Ajax; using his brilliant dribbling skills to cut inside and shoot at any opportunity. Jose Enrique is out for another fortnight with a hamstring injury meaning Andre Wisdom will again be deployed at right back with Glen Johnson playing in what is becoming a familiar role at left back. Fabio Borini returns to the squad after suffering a broken foot in mid-October and should feature on the bench. The only question in midfield is whether regular starter Joe Allen plays or if Jordan Henderson is rewarded for his great form of late.

Key Player

Luis Suarez, who else? While his handball goal against Mansfield last weekend may have come with a slight hint of luck there has been nothing lucky about his performances this season. Fifteen goals in the league puts him just behind Robin Van Persie in the top scorer standings while his creativity, tenacity, work rate and eye for a nutmeg put him right up there with the best attacking players in the world. If Liverpool are to have a chance of returning to Anfield with anything the Uruguayan will have to play well.

Prediction

Due to the emergence of some noisy neighbours in Manchester and Liverpool’s slow decline down the ladder of English football this isn’t quite the fixture it once was. However, there is no doubt it is still one of the biggest games in world football.

The game is United’s to lose and while there is always the chance Luis Suarez could have a blistering game or United’s fragile defence could fall to pieces although it really would be a surprise if this encounter ends in anything other than a Manchester United win.

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