(Manchester United News)
Any game with Liverpool always has spice for United, but with Merseyside’s Reds lurking just two points behind Manchester’s in the race for a Champions League place, the stakes could only be higher if the Barclays Premier League title itself was at stake on Sunday.
Liverpool are the country’s form team, having won five straight league matches, and bagged eight wins and two draws from their last ten. They haven’t lost in the league for 14 matches, either – their last defeat coming at Old Trafford, where United prevailed 3-0 thanks to goals from Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata and Robin van Persie.
Since then, Brendan Rodgers’ men have been transformed. Having dropped mishap-prone goalkeeper Simon Mignolet for the United game, the Belgian reclaimed the no.1 jersey, and recaptured a fine run of form in the Liverpool net (including a club record six Premier League away clean sheets).
Liverpool are now gunning for second place, says Rodgers. “City’s result [1-0 loss to Burnley] gives us an opportunity. Our mentality, the run and confidence we have at the moment, we’re just going to take that into every game and see where it takes us.”
The United fixture is extremely difficult to predict from recent form. Over the last ten Premier League meetings at Anfield, both sides have won four each and there have been two draws.
Last season, the Merseysiders won 1-0 at home courtesy of a fourth-minute Daniel Sturridge goal, while in 2012/13, United grabbed a 2-1 win, with Rafael da Silva’s blockbuster strike and Robin van Persie’s late penalty cancelling out Steven Gerrard’s volley. In 163 league meetings overall, United have won 64, Liverpool 55, and there have been 44 draws.
Liverpool are missing Jordan Ibe, Jose Enrique, Brad Jones and Jon Flanagan due to injury, but Mario Balotelli is expected to recover from illness, while Lucas Leiva could also be available.
Rodgers has favoured a 3-4-2-1 or 3-4-3 formation in the second half of the season, which has suited his side’s quick attacking players. But it is the solidity that this system gives their defence – epitomised by the excellent Emre Can, that has really given the team a boost, and provided a contrast to last season’s attacking strategy.
With Liverpool facing Arsenal away in their next Barclays Premier League match, and also having to visit Chelsea during their run-in, every point is vital – and United’s superior goal difference, currently standing at 11, could even come into play.
