Today’s Manchester United vs Liverpool game is probably the biggest football game for some fans. So as a Liverpool fan, I will tell you how I think Liverpool hold the advantage against United at Old Trafford.
1. NO ROONEY
Well, I am not a big Rooney fan, but he offers a lot to United. So when he is not there, a lot depends on RVP. Yes, he has been doing great, but Rooney has been playing with him in most matches. Now he has to lead the attack alone. Though he will get assistance from Hernandez and Welbeck, it remains to be seen who out of these two starts and how well they perform.
2. UNITED LEAKING GOALS
As you can guess by this heading, United have conceded many goals this season, even more than Liverpool. Well yes,Vidic was out, but even after returning, he has not been at his best. Rio Ferdinand is getting old, and Evans is not the best defender in the world. So United have their defensive problems. We have to wait and watch as to whether Ferdinand starts or not, and whether the two centre-backs can handle the in-form Suarez.
3. MIDFIELD WOES FOR UNITED
If you say that the United midfield is better than their counterparts’, you must be joking. Michael Carrick was criticized last season for being inconsistent, and though he has improved a lot, he will be up against Gerrard, and will be under immense pressure. His partner could be Cleverley, or maybe Shinji Kagawa. Cleverly is still very young and raw, and it remains to be seen whether he can match Allen or Lucas. Kagawa has a huge role to play, as he has to maintain the United defense as well as attack. I don’t think he is capable of doing so, and there is a huge possibility that United may get suffocated in the midfield if Kagawa is not able to provide the creative spark which Rooney usually gives.
4. THE WINGS
On the wings, it will be Giggs on one side, and Valencia on the other. No Ashley Young. Giggs is getting old too, and it’s not going to be easy for him against Johnson, who is in red hot form. SAF likes to move players to different positions, so it remains to be seen whether Giggs plays as a winger or not. I think Nani might play to strengthen the wing, and Giggs might have to sit out.Valencia on the other hand faces a young and talented Wisdom on the right side. Valencia has problems using his left foot, and he also has been criticized for not passing the ball enough.With the tall Skrtel and Agger in the team, his crosses will have to be inch perfect if he has to assist, which looks unlikely.
5. GERRARD FACTOR
One of the best midfielders in the world, Steven Gerrard can really up his game in this fixture, like he did in the last game these two teams played at Anfield. He has to be controlled well by the United team which has conceded too many goals for SAF’s liking, and with the pace of Sterling and Suarez, the return of Borini and the new arrival Sturridge, Gerrard becomes an even greater threat for United. United must control their tackles, as Gerrard assists and scores a lot from free kicks and penalties. His passes have to be stopped, and with the form he has been in, it is very difficult to stop him.
Therefore, I rest my case. Let’s hope to see a wonderful game of football tonight.