Rival Reds 'First On The Menu'
Easter is traditionally the time of the season when titles are won and lost, and on Sunday, the ‘Big Four’ in the Premier League all meet in what is sure to be a day that sorts the men from the boys in this year’s championship race.
The day kicks off early in the afternoon when the two most successful clubs in English football history meet at Old Trafford in a game that is always keenly contested.
Only a few miles separate Liverpool and United geographically, but this season the Red Devils are once again enjoying superiority over their major rivals in the League.
Yet, it is Liverpool though who are the form side, having won seven consecutive games since there embarrassing exit from the FA Cup at the hands of Barnsley.
The Reds have found some form since manager Rafa Benitez settled on his first choice line-up, where the excellent Javier Mascherano and Xabi Alonso sit in front of the back four, allowing Steven Gerrard the freedom to support in-form Fernando Torres in attack.
Benitez has come in for some unfair criticism this season, with much of the media expecting his side to become champions despite spending considerably less than United in the summer. This game is a chance for Liverpool to finally get one over there local rivals, having never beaten United since Benitez became manager in 2004.
Stage Set For Torres And Ronaldo
The game is also a chance for United to extend there lead at the top of the league, and despite not finding their best form in recent weeks, they will be confident of continuing their excellent recent record against Liverpool.
United have been solid rather than spectacular in recent games, and with Ronaldo in their team as long as they keep it tight at the back they will always get goals. United won the earlier fixture this season at Anfield through a goal from Carlos Tevez, but Alex Ferguson’s were quite lucky to take all three points that day despite managing to keep Fernando Torres quiet.
Rio Ferdinand is a doubt for United, and Ferguson will be hoping that the England centre back will be fit because he has the pace to cope with Torres. If Ferdinand is missing, Torres will fancy his chances of adding to his fantastic run of form - the Spanish forward has hit nine goals in his last six appearances, and has become the first Liverpool player since Robbie Fowler to score more than 20 goals in a season.
Torres is closing in of Ronaldo at the top of the scorer’s charts, and whichever of these in form players produces on the day could ensure the three points for his side.
Elsewhere, however, both sides are brimming with quality - the midfield battle between Mascherano, Gerrard and Alonso on one side and Anderson, Hargreaves and Scholes on the other will be fascinating. Both sides will be quite content with a share of the spoils, so long as the later kick-off between Chelsea and Arsenal ends all square, however a win for United and they will be closing in on their 10th Premier League crown.
If Liverpool can take maximum points and Chelsea fail to beat Arsenal, The Reds could start to target a 3rd place finish, but for now they will be happy to see off the thread of Mersey rivals Everton and finish in the top four. The stage has been set, and the biggest day in the Premier League this season should begin with a riveting and passionate tussle between these two heavyweights of the English game.
FORM GUIDE
Manchester United
18 Mar v Bolton (h) WON 2-0 (Prem)
15 Mar v Derby (a) WON 1-0 (Prem)
08 Mar v Portsmouth (h) LOST 0-1 (FA Cup)
04 Mar v Lyon (h) WON 1-0 (CL)
01 Mar v Fulham (a) WON 3-0 (Prem)
23 Feb v Newcastle (a) WON 5-1 (Prem)
Liverpool
15 Mar v Reading (h) WON 2-1 (Prem)
11 Mar v Internazionale (a) WON 1-0 (CL)
08 Mar v Newcastle (h) WON 3-0 (Prem)
05 Mar v West Ham (h) WON 4-0 (Prem)
02 Mar v Bolton (a) WON 3-1 (Prem)
23 Feb v Middlesbrough (h) WON 3-2 (Prem)
TEAM NEWS
Manchester United
Alex Ferguson rested many of his big guns for the midweek win against struggling Bolton. The likes of Rooney, Ferdinand, Evra, Scholes and Giggs should all return for what is still United’s biggest home match of the season. Gary Neville and Michael Silvestre are close to a return, but will not be reintroduced for such a highly charged fixture. Edwin Van der Sar (groin), Rio Ferdinand (back) and Louis Saha (hamstring) are all doubtful.
Last Starting XI (4-4-2 v Bolton) Kuszczak - Hargreaves, Vidic (Brown 58), Pique, O‘Shea - Ronaldo, Fletcher, Anderson (Scholes 70), Nani - Tevez, Saha (Rooney 70).
Liverpool
Rafa Benitez has finally settled on a regular side, and the former Valencia boss is reaping the rewards with Liverpool finally finding some consistency at just the right stage of the season. Only defenders Daniel Agger (foot) and Steve Finnan (hamstring) are expected to miss out, so expect Rafa to stick with the XI that beat Reading last weekend.
Last Starting XI (4-2-3-1 v Reading): Reina - Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Fabio Aurelio - Xabi Alonso, Mastering - Kuyt (Benayoun 80), Gerrard (Hyypia 90), Babel (Riise 83) - Torres.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Manchester United
Cristiano Ronaldo bagged another double in midweek against Bolton, taking his goals tally to an astonishing 33 in all competitions this season. An indicator of the importance of the Portuguese winger is the fact that he is the scorer of United’s four most recent goals, and the only United man to score in United’s last four games. United fans would welcome another goal or two against Liverpool on Sunday.
Liverpool
Javier Mascherano has become as important to Liverpool as Gerrard, Carragher and Torres in recent weeks with his tireless work ethic, almost perfect timing in the tackle and astute positional sense. ‘Jefecito’ is fast becoming the Premier League’s most complete defensive midfielder, and if he is at his best the Argentine enforcer is capable of snuffing out the danger posed by the aforementioned Ronaldo and his team mates.
PREDICTION
Games between these two are notoriously cagey, and this one will be no different. A moment of brilliance from Torres or Ronaldo could decide it, or a mistake on either side. The smart money would be on a low scoring affair, and with United’s excellent home record and Liverpool’s recent improvement it is hard to see either side losing.
My Take :Manchester United 1-1 Liverpool
