… As Red Devils battle Reds at Old Trafford
The Premier League’s fiercest rivalry returns today as Manchester United take on Liverpool at Old Trafford. While Louis van Gaal’s men are on the rise following five successive league wins, Liverpool are still reeling from their Champions League exit.
Manchester United will relish the opportunity to inflict more pain on wounded foes Liverpool when the teams renew their heated rivalry at Old Trafford in the Premier League.
Liverpool won both league fixtures against United last season, triumphing 3-0 on their last visit to Sir Matt Busby Way in March, en route to finishing 20 points clear of their cross-county rivals in the final standings.
But the tables have since turned and while United go into the game in pursuit of a sixth consecutive Premier League victory, a run that has lifted Louis van Gaal’s side to third place on the table.
Having made a dismal start to their league campaign, Liverpool’s season nose-dived further on Tuesday when they were eliminated from the Champions League in the group phase following a 1-1 draw at Anfield to low rated Basel.
Memories of last season’s thrilling title bid are fading fast at Anfield, but midfielder Joe Allen says his side will draw encouragement from their last performance at Old Trafford when they make their return on Sunday.
“We had a fantastic result there last season, so we’ll be looking to draw some confidence and inspiration from that performance and we’ll go there and try to get the win,” the Wales international told the Liverpool website.
“They are great games to play in between two clubs who are massive globally and there’s a great rivalry between the clubs. These matches are great to be a part of.
“Last season it was a great feeling to go to Old Trafford and get the three points and all of the players want that feeling again.”
Liverpool remains without injured striker Daniel Sturridge, while Mario Balotelli has not played for over a month, but United have injury problems as well.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is being tipped to use £16 million striker Mario Balotelli against Manchester United.
The Italian forward has been out of action with injury but could come back into the side for the huge match at Old Trafford.
Balotelli is still looking for his first goal as a Liverpool player.
Adam Lallana is also being tipped to feature against United despite suffering from a rib problem.
The England midfielder missed the Champions League game with the problem, as he’s suffering from two affected ribs.
United defender Chris Smalling sustained a groin injury during Red Devils’s 2-1 win at Southampton on Monday, joining Phil Jones, Luke Shaw, Angel di Maria and Daley Blind on the injury lists.
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal will be extremely confident ahead of the Premier League derby against Liverpool this weekend.
United are on a good run of form, which has allowed them to consolidate in the top four, which is the ultimate aim for the side this season.
United have been hampered by injuries throughout the season, but the team is finding a way to get results and they should be able to raise their performance levels for arguably the biggest game of their season so far.
Liverpool has had less time to recover and they come off the back of the heartbreak of being put out of the Champions League by FC Basel earlier this week.
However, the Reds played extremely well in this fixture last season and will take confidence from that as Brendan Rodgers mulls over how to get a repeat of that impressive result.
Liverpool will probably raise their game at Old Trafford. It’s probably not possible for them to play worse than they did midweek in their Champions League game. The manager will be looking for a reaction, so it would be daft to rule them out from getting a result.
Which team will have the upper hand at Old Trafford? I guess time will tell.
Anthony Nlebem
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