Big Match Preview: Manchester United vs Liverpool
By Omar Shahin
It’s our second big match preview of the campaign -they’re coming thick and fast this season- as Liverpool travel to the home of their biggest rival Manchester United in what is usually our biggest match of the season.
Manchester United away, there’s nothing quite like beating them in their own home is there? But with only two league wins at Old Trafford over the past ten years, the feeling is all too rare. Can we make it three this year? It’s a tough one to call, much tougher than last season anyway.
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Both teams go into this game on the back of their first losses of the season. Liverpool’s was a shock one at home to West Ham for the first time since 1963. United’s was less so, losing for the third time in a row to Swansea. Though they were games both teams would have expected to win, there can be no doubt that Liverpool looked much the worse team in their loss. Whilst a narrow loss away to an in-form Swansea isn’t something to be completely ashamed of, losing at home to West Ham for the first time in over 50 years is, and losing 3-0 no less.
The reason both these losses were shocking is simple; both defences had been so strong leading up to that point. For Liverpool, Dejan Lovren looked like he had finally turned a corner after a nightmare debut season, and formed a formidable partnership with Martin Skrtel. At full-back, Joe Gomez and Nathaniel Clyne were massive upgrades on Glen Johnson and Alberto Moreno. The four of them were outstanding, particularly against Arsenal where none of them put a foot wrong; just one week before the West Ham horror show.
So what does Brendan Rodgers do for this defence now? Gomez was exposed as right-footed centre-back playing left-back, and Lovren reverted back to his former self with one swift mistake. Likewise Skrtel, who doesn’t quite get as much criticism as he should, looked equally shaky. Well, there’s a former PSG and France captain sitting on the bench just waiting for his chance. Mamadou Sakho would also be a massively popular choice with many fans who continue to call for Lovren to be dropped. The make-up of Liverpool’s defence is a debate to be had for another article. For now, it looks likely that Rodgers is going to stick with his back four, after making it clear that Lovren is top of the pecking order.
For United, they should also stick with the same back four that conceded twice against Swansea. The space Andre Ayew was given for his headed equaliser should have Christian Benteke licking his lips in anticipation. As should the fact that Daley Blind isn’t a physically imposing figure. If Benteke manages to successfully bully Blind, it could be a long night for United.
On the attacking side of things, both teams have really struggled to create this season. United have scored just three goals, one being an own goal, and another being from a player since loaned out. Liverpool can go one worse, having scored just two. Though to be fair, they at least have two goalscorers so far, to United’s one. Either way, it’s slim pickings, and it’s something both teams need to work on.
It seems likely that Rodgers’ solution to this will be the introduction of Danny Ings alongside Benteke. Ings provides a bit of pace going forward which the Reds have been sorely lacking. But most importantly, he provides the defenders with something else to think about. So far, Benteke’s been isolated and smothered because he is our sole threat, and defenders can concentrate completely on him. Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino are excellent on the ball, but they rarely run in behind a defence. Ings will gladly do this and that should stretch United.
The midfield battle is, of course, important but it’s not as intriguing as the attacking and defensive struggles both teams have gone through. Our midfield should see James Milner and Lucas Leiva start, most likely alongside Emre Can, who was impressive for Germany this week. Ahead of them, occupying the number 10 position, we could see Firmino who will get a run out in his preferred position for the first time. It will be Morgan Schneiderlin’s job to stop him from recreating his Hoffenheim form.
This will be an interesting match, not just because of the magnitude of Liverpool playing Manchester United, but because of how both teams are as yet unknown quantities. We’ve seen both be defensively excellent, and we’ve seen both be defensively shocking. Which Liverpool defence will show up?