Manchester United vs Liverpool: 4 things that have changed since their last meeting

Last time when both these sides met in the Premier league, Liverpool were hoping to end their two-decade long drought and finally win the title, which they hadn’t since the start of the Premier League era.Manchester United, on the other hand, were looking to make it to the top 4 and avoid a mid-table finish, a plight which they hadn’t achieved since the start of the Premier League era. However, as it turned out, neither Manchester United nor Liverpool managed to acquire their respective goals.Coming into this match on the back of five straight wins, Manchester United are in top form and a win could even spur them for a title challenge, something that seemed highly unlikely before the start of this season. A win for Liverpool, however, will be more celebrated as under such turbulent times, a win against Manchester United might soothe the nerves of angry Liverpool fans.Here are four things that have changed since Liverpool’s 3-0 win at Old Trafford:

#1 Tables have turned

Coming into this match last season, Liverpool were on a four-match winning streak and a nine-match unbeaten run. Manchester United on the other hand were more than 6 points short of Liverpool and were regarded as the underdogs by the neutrals. And after the result which proved to be dismal for Manchester United, it had become clear to the Red Devils faithful that Liverpool would finish above them for the first time in ages.

Nine months after that fixture and 15 games into the new season, the tables have turned, as it is the side from Manchester that is on a winning streak now while Liverpool are hoping to clutch on to straws. Thus, even though Mario Balotelli may feature at some stage in the match, a positive result is highly unlikely for Liverpool.

Coming into this match after winning four games on the trot, morale would be high for the 20-time Premier League Champions and they’ll be favorites to win this fixture. Liverpool, on the other hand, have just been dealt a severe blow in the shape of a Champions League exit and would be looking for some consolation for their fans.

But even if Liverpool manage a victory which is unlikely, their gap from Manchester United will still be of four points.

#2 Its Brendan Rodgers job on the line this time

Even though a win in this fixture wouldnt have done much credit to Manchester Uniteds top 4 challenge, still it might have provided David Moyes with some moral ground as Liverpool were looking for their 1st League double over United in 4 years that day.

As a result when the final whistle blew at Old Trafford last season in this very fixture, many inside the Old Trafford had known that this would be the last time David Moyes would feature against Liverpool as a Manchester United manager.

Fast forward 9 months and looking at the situation both the managers are in now, Brendan Rodgers is in exactly the same position where David Moyes was at last season before this fixture.

While a win would allow Liverpool fans to forget all the recent worries as there is nothing better than a win against their bitter rival, a defeat might prove to be too much to handle for the Liverpool ownership.

And if you believe in the reports that are linking Liverpool owner in favor of sacking of Brendan Rodgers, a high stake win in a match like this might change the view of the Liverpool ownership which seems distraught after seeing none of the summer signings reach their full potential.

Thusfor a manager who was tipped to fill in the boots of greats after his teams performances last season, Brendan Rodgers might get sacked before the end of January if results continue to go against Liverpool.

#3 Luis Suarez is a distant memory

Even though Liverpool and Manchester United matches are known for rivalry, the self created rivalry between Luis Suarez and Manchester United fans will be missing this term. For a player who was extremely disliked in this part of England due to his antics on and off the pitch, Luis Suarez was always a source of nuisance for the Manchester United fans.

Thus even though Daniel Sturridge will also not feature in this match due to injury, the absence of the Uruguayan will be celebrated, to say the least.

Although he has scored his 1st goal at Camp Nou in mid-week against PSG in the Champions League for Barcelona, Luis Suarez is a distant memory for the Liverpool fans. From the Evra racist gate, to his handshake refusal and last seasons goal at the Old Trafford, a mere presence of Luis Suarez in Old Trafford was a sign of things to happen.

From nutmeggingRafael Da Silva which earned Liverpool their 1st penalty and eventually the goal, to his goal in the dying minutes which prolonged the misery for Manchester United fans, Luis Suarez caused more than a few fluttersin the Manchester United defenders last season at Old Trafford.

Thus in addition to all the fuss which surrounded Luis Suarez everytime he steps on the field at Old Trafford, last seasons performance of Luis Suarezwhich handed Liverpool their first win in 4 years at Old Trafford will be missed sorely by the Liverpool fans.

#4 Goals have dried up for Liverpool strike force

When Liverpool visited Manchester United last season, both of their strikers had goals scored in double figures and were ready to sink any team coming against them. Before this match last season, Daniel Sturridge had already scored 20 goals while Luis Suarez had managed 23 goals to his name. That when combined makes a staggering 43 goals between them.

Coming into this season and although this is only November, the fact that all 3 Liverpool strikers have managed 3 goals between them despite playing in more competitions is condemnable.

Mario Balotelli who is yet to score a league goal for Liverpool might as well play in this match but as the recent form of the Italian suggests, it is highly unlikely that he can disturb the goal-scoring charts against Manchester United on Sunday.

Although Daniel Sturridge has only played in 3 games this season, the English striker has managed the same number of goals which his colleague Rickie Lambert has managed in the league in 13 appearances. And if you look at the lack of trust that the Liverpool manager has for Fabio Borini, Rickie Lambert might prove to be the sole attacker for Liverpool on Sunday.

Thus from a Liverpool side of last season whose strikers challenged the likes of Real Madrid to the current Liverpool side which has managed less goals than West Ham, David De Gea might as well survive comfortably against this Liverpool strike-force.