Allen Hamilton
What: English FA Cup Fourth Round
Who: Liverpool v Manchester United
When: Saturday 28th January, 2012, at 12:45 UK Time
Where: Anfield, Liverpool, England
Keeping the Feel-good Factor Going
Liverpool progressed to their first Wembley final since 1996 by edging out Manchester City in the League Cup semi-final in midweek, and the very real prospect of the silverware, which would end a drought running from 2006, has sent confidence sky high at Anfield.
Kenny Dalglish knows that he is half-way through a week which could in many ways mark the Reds’ season. Beating City guaranteed a date with Championship side Cardiff City in the League Cup, while beating Manchester United would not just ensure FA Cup progression, it would also make clear that the Scot has his beloved club on the right path.
There has been some criticism of Dalglish’s buys, with Andy Carroll, Stewart Downing, Charlie Adam and Jordan Henderson costing Liverpool the best part of £100M, but not looking like the huge step forward that many would expect such a sum to guarantee.
Liverpool can be expected to attack here, but not before keeping things tight early on, as Downing himself was only too happy to reveal. "You have to start well against a big team because if they get early goals it’s hard to get back into the game", said the winger, also adding: "As a team we should go out and be really confident playing against United that we can beat them."
Injury Issues and Priorities
Had Sir Alex Ferguson been preparing his troops for a trip to a lower league Premier League outfit, or a lower league team, then it is likely his approach would be different to that which will be on display at Anfield. The Scot will clearly mark the FA Cup as a lower priority than the Premier League, but losing to Liverpool is just not an option Ferguson ever wants to contemplate.
Manchester United will have to battle injuries which are testing their squad to its limits; not a state of affairs that Ferguson will greet either. Wayne Rooney is a doubt (but would walk through hot coals to face Liverpool), while Rio Ferdinand, Phil Jones and Nani could all be sidelined. When Nemanja Vidic’s absence is taken into consideration, along with the long-term treatment table appointments needed by Darren Fletcher, Ferguson will need to be imaginative with his squad and set-up.
And the United boss is also aware that he needs to row against the tide of recent results to secure a positive outcome. "Results at Liverpool in the last two or three years have not been great for us", said the veteran manager. "We haven’t done as well as we used to do. But that changes. There was a period when Liverpool beat us three or four times in a row six or seven years ago, but then we had a spell winning four or five in a row."
Recent form
Liverpool:
Liverpool 0-0 Stoke City (14/01; Premier League)
Bolton Wanderers 3-1 Liverpool (21/01; Premier League)
Liverpool 2-2 Manchester City (25/01; League Cup)
Manchester United:
Manchester City 2-3 Manchester United ((08/01; FA Cup)
Manchester United 3-0 Bolton Wanderers (14/01; Premier League)
Arsenal 1-2 Manchester United (22/01; Premier League)
Key absences
Liverpool: Luis Suarez (suspended); Lucas Levia
Manchester United: Nemanja Vidic; Ashley Young; Darren Fletcher; Michael Owen; Wayne Rooney (doubt); Phil Jones (doubt); Tom Cleverley; Rio Ferdinand (doubt); Nani (doubt); Michael Carrick (doubt)
Players to watch
Liverpool – Craig Bellamy: The Welshman was in sublime form to help Liverpool overcome Manchester City to reach Wembley in midweek. It remains to be seen how much the occasion will have taken out of him, but the free transfer signing is, ironically, more vital to Liverpool at present than £35M man Andy Carroll.
Manchester United – Ryan Giggs: This is a game where experience will be needed for United, especially with the team depleted by injuries. Giggs has seen it and done it all before, with 43 clashes against Liverpool under his belt, and will be well aware that the midfield is a vital area where the match will be won and lost.
Match Prediction
Liverpool look the stronger side when Manchester United’s injuries are taken into account, but it remains to be seen how much the midweek clash against Manchester City has taken out of Kenny Dalglish’s men. A tough game to call that will be settled by the finest margins. Liverpool 2-1 Manchester United.
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