It's the big one on Sunday, the bitter clash with Manchester United, the perch thieves. This game needs no introduction really but I'm going to give you one anyway in this match preview. Sunday's fixture is made even more special as the great Bill Shankly would have been 100 years old this Monday. It's said too often but they seriously don't make managers like him anymore or even men for that matter, he truly was and always will be a legend at Liverpool Football Club and here's hoping the Reds can pull a massive win out the bag for his memory this weekend.
Injuries for Liverpool mean they are without Coates, Allen and new signing Cissokho. There is also a massive doubt hanging over Kolo Toure though being the machine he is don't be surprised if he starts! Suarez again is obviously also missing. For United they are unable to call upon Rafael, Hernandez and Nani, some key names especially for a fixture like this.
The last time the two sides met at Anfield was in September last year. As with every tie between the two sides there was goals and excitement. Jonjo Shelvey was sent off with 5 minutes of the first half left then Steven Gerrard found the back of the net in the 46th minute. Despite being down to 10 men Liverpool had the upper hand shortly but it was always going to be a difficult task to hold out Manchester United for 45 minutes and Rafael and van Persie scored for the away side sealing victory in the 81st minute from the penalty spot.
The most recent tie between the two sides was in January this year with exactly the same scoreline as the Anfield clash. This time United took the lead after 19 minutes via van Persie and then scored again in the second half through Vidic. Daniel Sturridge found a consolation goal for the Reds but once again Liverpool had lost to United.
Of course looking back over the history of the results Anfield has usually been kinder to us in this clash and so it is always nice to face United in front of the roaring Kop.
The Reds have a 100% record in their opening to the Premier League season whilst United have a slight mark on their form after drawing with Chelsea. The big problem for Liverpool though this week has been trying to ensure fitness is at a high enough level. Things didn't go according to plan in their midweek match with Notts County in the League Cup and as a result the Reds ended up playing extra time with the likes of Gerrard and Daniel Sturridge playing throughout the whole game!
Stat Sandwich
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| It probably shouldn't be as there are more iconic ones but this is my favourite image of the great Bill Shankly. Image: donegalsubbuteo.webs.com |
The last time the two sides met at Anfield was in September last year. As with every tie between the two sides there was goals and excitement. Jonjo Shelvey was sent off with 5 minutes of the first half left then Steven Gerrard found the back of the net in the 46th minute. Despite being down to 10 men Liverpool had the upper hand shortly but it was always going to be a difficult task to hold out Manchester United for 45 minutes and Rafael and van Persie scored for the away side sealing victory in the 81st minute from the penalty spot.
The most recent tie between the two sides was in January this year with exactly the same scoreline as the Anfield clash. This time United took the lead after 19 minutes via van Persie and then scored again in the second half through Vidic. Daniel Sturridge found a consolation goal for the Reds but once again Liverpool had lost to United.
Of course looking back over the history of the results Anfield has usually been kinder to us in this clash and so it is always nice to face United in front of the roaring Kop.
The Reds have a 100% record in their opening to the Premier League season whilst United have a slight mark on their form after drawing with Chelsea. The big problem for Liverpool though this week has been trying to ensure fitness is at a high enough level. Things didn't go according to plan in their midweek match with Notts County in the League Cup and as a result the Reds ended up playing extra time with the likes of Gerrard and Daniel Sturridge playing throughout the whole game!
Stat Sandwich
- If Liverpool win it will be the first time since 1994 that they've won 3 opening league games on the trot.
- United's 0-0 draw with Chelsea ended their run of 82 league matches with goals in them.
- Daniel Sturridge has scored 8 times in his last 7 league matches.
For me even with the mishap midweek we have a real chance here to collect 3 points and be (albeit probably temporarily) top of the table. The main problem is keeping van Persie quiet and if we can do that I honestly feel we have enough in attack to win the game. Moyes has never won at Anfield as we all know but of course, he's never been with United. This is a simply massive fixture though, in games gone by the dressing room would have had the powerful sound of Alex Ferguson in it if things had taken an early turn for the worse at Anfield but this time out it's Moyes, would he be able to spur on the troops at a packed Anfield when the Reds are up via a Sturridge goal? Maybe I'm clutching at straws here (yes I am) but the fact is, things are different and even if in some peoples' opinion the difference is only slight, Liverpool still need to capitalise on that and be confident going in to this game. I seriously believe we can have them on Sunday and I don't know about you but I'm mega excited for kick off!
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As always, enjoy the match folks!