EVIL EMPIRE COMING TO TOWN
Are times changing in Northwest football? This time last year, the Reds were chasing a quadruple, while up the East Lancs Road, the evil empire had fallen into total disarray. Flash forward twelve months, and Liverpool's only possibility is finishing in a Champions League spot while Man U are chasing a quadruple of their own with Champions League football already looking set for 23-24.
While Liverpool's fall from grace has been much discussed by everyone and their dog throwing in my ten cents, the reasons for Man United's rebirth can be identified quite readily. The key has been the appointment of a "proper" manager. Erik ten Hag clearly understands what he is trying to accomplish both on and off the field. Some shrewd acquisitions have been made, notably Casemiro. Paul Pogba and Cristiano Ronaldo have left Old Trafford taking with them much of the baggage that dogged the team last season.
The corresponding fixture was early in the season following United's humiliating defeats to Brighton and Brentford. With Liverpool's combined wins over United in 21-22 to the tune of 9-0, the Reds were expected to exact a hammering over their biggest rivals. Ten Hag had yet to read the script, and his rearranged team surprised Liverpool winning deservedly 2-1. Since then, his team has gone from strength to strength, rising up the EPL to third position, a healthy four points ahead of Tottenham with a game in hand. Last Sunday, United claimed their first silverware in six years beating Newcastle 2-0 in the League Cup final. Suddenly, everything is a bed of roses again over in Manchester. They have to be looking forward to a visit to Anfield with relish and expectation. It hasn't been like this for some time!
Liverpool!! Since another humbling loss to Wolves at the beginning of February, Liverpool has put together a run of their own in the EPL with three wins and a draw without conceding a goal. The Reds did bounce back from the Wolves debacle with a 2-0 victory over a strangely passive Everton team. The 2-0 win at Newcastle was significant on paper. In reality, it wasn't quite so convincing. Liverpool started the game in fine form, racing out to a 2-0 lead, but after the Geordies were reduced to ten men, the Reds looked like a team that lost their way. It was puzzling. Perhaps the lads had their eye on the Champions League clash with Real Madrid. Madrid turned out to be a tough night with a 5-2 thrashing at the hands of the Spaniards. Since then, Liverpool's performances have been insipid, to put it mildly.
The Reds have yet to lose on the plus side, drawing 0-0 at Crystal Palace and defeating Wolves 2-0 at Anfield. Another plus, a Champions League place, is coming back into sight. It was starting to look out of the question a few weeks back. However, if I were a betting man, I wouldn't put money on them securing that place. Liverpool has the talent and experience to make it, but in contrast to the past, they need to look more capable of rising to the occasion when it matters.
One major issue Jurgen Klopp has to sort out is Trent Alexander-Arnold. I feel sorry for Trent as he is expected to be a wing-back in a traditional back four. Is it any wonder Vinicius Jr ran riot?!! On Sunday, he will be targeted by the very on-form Marcus Rashford. In his renaissance, has anyone noticed that Rashford looks like he has really beefed up physically? He is no longer a boy; his power and pace have significantly influenced United's successful run.
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Both Palace and Wolves have had trouble scoring goals. Each stood off Liverpool and allowed the Reds to fiddle around at the back with the ball. Eventually, they became frustrated as there were no obvious channels to play the ball forward, and the ball would be turned over. A team like United are more than capable of punishing the Reds in these situations. Liverpool does have the crowd behind them. However, United recently drew 2-2 with Barcelona at the Nou Camp. There should have no fear.
Liverpool - Man United is usually an intriguing fixture. A win for either team will cement their possibilities for the remainder of the season. A draw would be preferable to a loss. From a Liverpool perspective, the team will have to play much better than the last two games. United are flying at the moment! Jurgen will have to tweak his system if the Reds are going to win the points. He was bold against Wolves, including two teenagers alongside a struggling veteran in Fabinho. The opponent was strong in midfield, with Neves, Nunes and Moutinho starting. However, it says a lot that 18-year-old Stefan Bajcetic was Liverpool's most confident player in that position. The Reds are still shaky in the middle of the park. Casemiro and a good supporting cast are going to be in opposition! The Reds did pickup late in the Wolves game to claim the three points with a 2-0 win. They will need to do a lot more on Sunday.
Anticipated starters: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Bajcetic; Salah, Gakpo, Nunez.
If this team starts, there is only one player different from the team thrashed by Real Madrid: Konate for Gomez. Rashford could similarly run riot. Whether Klopp is prepared to adapt his system for this possibility remains to be seen. Fingers crossed, the Reds can cope!! YNWA