Liverpool FC visit Old Trafford to take on Manchester United, with a lot to play for. Here is a look at three things the Reds should do to come back with three points on Sunday.
When Liverpool and Manchester United take on each other, one can expect a mouth-watering game which could be marred with controversies, but would surely contain the best football. It is also one match where one is sure that the 22 players on the pitch would be giving in their 100% to help their team get the prized three points.
Last season, when this fixture came, Manchester United were cruising in the league and Liverpool were stuck in the mid-table mediocrity. Things really have come a long way since. Sir Alex Ferguson has retired, Liverpool are slowly but steadily returning to the elite positions and (maybe) Brendan Rodgers has made it his silent mission to knock United off their perch. Whatever the case maybe, fortunes have reversed and the two fierce rivals will take on each other with the same fervour, albeit a positive result meaning a little different for both teams.
Here is a look at three things which the Reds should do to come back with three points at the end of the weekend:
1. Complacency cannot set in
Liverpool have been in fine form this season. The Reds have won their last four league games. In fact, Rodgers’ side isAi??yet to lose a league game in 2014. Therefore, they obviously travel to Manchester with great confidence; not just because of David Moyes and Manchester United’s bad record at home, but because they have reached a place in the season, where they genuinely feel strongly about their game.
However, the Anfield unit can’t allow itself to be relaxed about their game. Because Manchester United are obviously a good side who will exploit this aspect if given a chance. David Moyes’ team is not a weak one, it is just one which has not found its rhythm. If Liverpool look lethargic or look like they’re taking the game far too easily, expect the likes of Mata and Rooney to find the holes and make their arch-nemesis pay for a lackluster showing.
2. Gerrard and Henderson need to win the midfield battle
Steven Gerrard is now fitting into his deeper role. Even though Henderson enjoys making those forward runs, if a midfield of Gerrard-Henderson and Coutinho was to start the match, the ex-Sunderland player would have to manage the heart of the pitch.
There is a possibility of Liverpool again employing the same starting team as against Southampton, with Allen starting ahead of Sterling. However, this might not be the case as the only reason Rodgers insisted on Allen getting a start because of Southampton’s style of play where they dominate possession and therefore there was a need for more balance in the middle, which can be obtained if the trio of Gerrard, Henderson and Allen are controlling the play.
But Brendan Rodgers would know that Manchester United’s central midfielders are not the most threatening ones in business, and therefore Liverpool have to do what they do best- attack with menace. The Reds are probably the most lethal side while counterattacking and thus the Northern Irishman would be tempted to use his attacking quartet of Suarez, Sturridge, Sterling and Coutinho. Liverpool would look at the 5-1 Arsenal victory as a blueprint for this match.
And that is why the need to dominate the second third of the match. With the Reds thriving in attack, they will have to rely on the duo of Gerrard and Henderson to provide stability in the middle, and to make sure there are not wide spaces which the likes of Michael Carrick and Juan Mata can exploit.
3. Defence has to step up; the individual errors need to be eliminated
The only thing that stands between Liverpool and their quest for higher than fourth place finish is their own defence. Time and again, the defenders have made some sort of an error at the back, which has gone on to put the team on the back foot, until one of their attacking players has rescued them by scoring a goal at the other side of the pitch. Kolo Toure’s mistakes have cost Liverpool at Fulham and at West Brom (in fact, directly costing two points at The Hawthorns). In Liverpool’s 4-3 victory against Swansea City, two of Swansea’s goals were because of Martin Skrtel’s individual errors.
Liverpool will have to make sure they don’t do the same again. They can’t afford to mess up their attacking threat by negating it at the back. The club needs the three point to keep the pressure at first placed Chelsea, title contenders Arsenal and Manchester City; and at potential fourth spot teams Tottenham Hotspur, Everton and Manchester United. If a silly error at the back is the reason why the Reds were to be deprived of those points, this match might cost Rodgers’ side a lot more when we reflect back at the end of the season.
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