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Manchester United will face the Reds in The FA Cup 4th round tie in a fascinating clash at Anfield on Saturday. It will be the first time the two clubs have met since Liverpool-forward, Luis Suarez, was handed an eight-match ban for racially abusing Man United’s captain, Patrice Evra, in October.
Liverpool was enrolled in the fourth round after thrashing Oldham Athletic 5-1, where the Reds recovered after going a goal behind at Anfield . Credit to the service from Bellamy, Gerrard, Shelvey, Carroll and Downing. The scoreline suggests a comfortable win for Kenny Dalglish’s team but it was a hard-fought win over the League-One side. Paul Dickov hailed his side for putting on a good show at Anfield.
Liverpool have struggled at home this season and, despite remaining unbeaten, have drawn seven games at Anfield,with a running trend of wasting chances and the inability to kill-off supposedly lesser oppositions. Manchester United striker, Michael Owen, meanwhile believes the Reds “are just another side to them”. He claims that his former side are ‘hard to work out ‘. Owen said on Twitter, “Hard to work Liverpool out. They look top class at Home against big teams but have another side to them when you expect them to win.” With Liverpool playing their third game in seven days, the players would definitely be tired physically as well as mentally. Liverpool held Man City 2 -2 on the return leg to Anfield on Wednesday, and they will now advance to a Wembley Cup final on a 3-2 aggregate, which seems to have lifted the whole Squad.
Craig Bellamy, who had a terrific night – leveled the score in the 74th minute and was hailed by Steven Gerrard as Liverpool’s hero. Reflecting on an emotional night at Anfield, Gerrard told Sky Sports, “It’s a great feeling, it’s been a while.” “Since playing at Cardiff in 2006, it’s been too long for this club. I’m delighted for everyone, especially the fans and to lead the boys out at the new Wembley stadium is going to be a special occasion for myself. Craig was the difference. His pace was always a threat and we know that if a chance falls to him he can finish.” The Welshman has now scored in his last 3 matches.
Manchester United, who progressed with a 3-2 win over neighbours Manchester City, had knocked Liverpool out in the third round of last year’s competition, winning 1-0 at Old Trafford in the first game of Dalglish’s second spell in charge. But Liverpool were victorious in the club’s last FA Cup meeting at Anfield, with a Peter Crouch effort sealing a 1-0 win over United in the fourth round in 2006. Once again Sir Alex will have team selection issues ahead of the fourth round tie. Jones who made a come back at Emirates couldn’t last long on the pitch and was immediately substituted in the first half, after he twisted his ankle. However Chris Smalling said, “Phil’s ankle injury doesn’t look serious, he was leaving Emirates with his shoes on, not a protective boot.”
Rooney, Evra and Carrick who all picked up individual knocks during their breathtaking 2-1 victory over the Gunners on Sunday might be a doubt for this fascinating clash. Evra, particularly is a bit doubtful after the Frenchman picked a head injury at Emirates last Sunday. But, United assistant boss Mike Phelan has confirmed Patrice Evra will not be spared the trial of playing at Anfield on Saturday. Earlier this season, Sir Alex Ferguson left Rooney out of his starting line-up to face Liverpool due to the adverse reaction the striker receives in his home city, whilst last season, the United boss didn’t even take his star forward to his former club Everton. However, it seems Evra, who is likely to continue as captain in the absence of Nemanja Vidic with a season-ending injury, will be involved. ‘It wouldn’t be a consideration,’ said Phelan, when asked by BBC Radio. Nani could be set for an extended spell on the sidelines, with the Daily Mirror claiming the United star could miss couple of months with a foot injury. It would be a massive blow for United – the Portuguese winger has been in scintillating form this season netting eight goals and 10 assists, has become an important player for Sir Alex, with Ashley Young still on his road to recovery, United will certainly miss his services.
Not only players and staff, but the police will also have a tough job on their hands ahead of this tie. According to The Telegraph Merseyside Police have promised “firm” action against any Liverpool and Manchester United supporters intending to cause trouble at this weekend’s FA Cup tie. Match Commander Chief Superintendent Jon Ward of Merseyside Police said, “We are expecting a lively atmosphere at Saturday’s FA Cup match, but our intention is that we will be talking about the game and what happened on the pitch as opposed to off the pitch.”
Possible Line-ups: (Man United) Lindegaard, Rafael, Smalling, Evans, Evra, Valencia, Scholes, Carrick, Park, Rooney, Welbeck
Possible Team Lineup: (Liverpool)Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Enrique, Adam, Spearing, Gerrard, Downing, Bellamy Carroll
Match Referee: Mark Halsey after Martin Atkinson has withdrawn.
