Hassan Chamas

 

What: English Premier League
Who: Liverpool (8th) versus Manchester United (1st)
When: Sunday October 25th, 2009, at 14:00 GMT
Where: Anfield, Liverpool, England

New Record

Liverpool broke a new record on Wednesday night as they succumbed to their fourth consecutive defeat, courtesy of French outfit Olympique Lyonnais. A 2-1 loss at Anfield set the alarm bells ringing as the Reds managed to reproduce a feat last seen in 1987. The Liverpool Supporters Union has also launched attacks on American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks, calling for the Yanks to leave the club.

Manager Rafael Benitez has kopped a fair share of criticism as voices – notably that of former Liverpool legend Graeme Souness – have called for his resignation. On the sporting side of things, Benitez will most surely be without at least one of his influential stars Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard battle for fitness. Gerrard remains the most doubtful, as the Liverpool skipper’s groin injury resurfaced against Lyon. Glen Johnson however, is nearing full fitness and is expected to take the right-back slot.

Lucky Devils

Manchester United might not be nearing full gear, but that has not prevented them from claiming the spoils in their last two games against Bolton Wanderers and CSKA Moscow. The Champions welcome the derby against Liverpool with open arms as they prepare to pounce on their eternal league rivals and go on to beat them in becoming the record holders of domestic league titles.

On the other hand, Sir Alex Ferguson will however be without quite a selection stars who would normally command a first-team spot, most notably Wayne Rooney who, barring a miracle recovery, will miss the game he most eagerly anticipates each year. Even so, should Ferguson’s men be able to seize the moment against this weakened Liverpool side, then they just might be able to come up with all three points.

 

 

Recent form

Liverpool:
Chelsea 2-0 Liverpool (Premier League)
Sunderland 1-0 Liverpool (Premier League)
Liverpool 1-2 Olympique Lyonnais (Champions League)

Manchester United:
Manchester United 2-2 Sunderland (Premier League)
Manchester United 2-1 Bolton (Premier League)
CSKA Moscow 0-1 Manchester United (Champions League)

Key absentees

Liverpool: Steven Gerrard (possible); Albert Riera; Fernando Torres (possible).

Manchester United: Darren Fletcher (possible); Wayne Rooney (possible); Fabio Da Silva; JS Park.

Players to watch

Liverpool – Javier Mascherano: The Argentina captain will try to assume a role of influence in the wake of Gerrard’s absence. With his spirits high after the qualification of the Biancoceleste to South Africa 2010, “Masche” is Liverpool’s player to watch and could break up any Man Utd attacks before they begin.

Manchester United – Bowling Ball: Could a bowling ball be Benitez’s excuse this weekend? On a more serious note, Michael Owen will return to his boyhood club, knowing that he is in line for a brutal reception. The former Newcastle man might not be there at the start, but he will have something to do at some point during the match.

Match prediction

Liverpool versus Manchester United is amongst the hardest to predict, especially after that memorable week last season where the Merseysiders knocked Spanish giants Real Madrid out of the Champions League before going on to humiliate United at Old Trafford. However, things couldn’t be any more different this time around, and Liverpool’s hard times will earn them a 2-0 defeat to the league leaders this weekend.

Related Articles: