Prem Preview: Liverpool vs Manchester United

The greatly anticipated ‘Grand Slam Sunday’ kicks off at Anfield as these bitter North West rivals clash. United make the short trip down the M62 knowing that a win would open up a six-point gap on their rivals, and a point is enough to take United back to the top of the table.

For Liverpool and their manager Rafa Benitez, this game is huge. His recent spat with the club’s American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett has cast a large shadow over his future at Liverpool, and the Spanish Tactician will hope to show his watching bosses how good his side are when they visit for this game against the Champions.

Benitez had overseen an unbeaten start to the season until last week’s lame defeat at Reading, but his side bounced back with an impressive showing away to Marseille where Liverpool were exceptional.

Fernando Torres already looks more suited to the Premier League than he was to football in his homeland, and his pace has terrorised Premier League defenders since day one. The former Atletico Madrid icon is fast becoming a favourite of the Kop, and it is not difficult to see why considering he has already found the net an impressive 12 times in all competitions.

Liverpool supporters are desperate to win another League title, and a win at home to the reigning Champions would be some welcome ammunition for Rafa to take into his meeting with the new owners, which follows this game. Liverpool appear to be as strong as any side in the country when they play their strongest XI and the battles in midfield should be key to deciding the outcome of this one.

Can Gerrard and Mascherano get the better of Hargreaves and Anderson? This area of the pitch should be a warzone on Sunday, with four battlers competing for superiority in the key part of the pitch.

Expect a few tackles flying in, and it would be no surprise to see a red card.

Both sides appear to have found some good attacking form and much will depend on how Sami Hyypia and Jamie Carragher cope with the movement of Rooney, Tevez and Ronaldo who have all been in scintillating form in recent weeks.

Possibly United’s biggest strength this season has come from their central defenders Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand who have helped United to the Premier League’s best defensive record. That record will be severely tested by the pace of Torres and the forward surges from midfield that Gerrard has perfected.

Alex Ferguson has had the better of Benitez over the seasons, with five wins and a draw since Benitez became Liverpool boss. Last season’s win at Anfield, through a last minute winner from utility man John O’Shea, was the catalyst for United to take back the League title from Chelsea and this side have enough resolve and ability to once again win at Anfield – something that neither Chelsea or Arsenal have managed this term.

With Arsenal and Chelsea meeting later in the day, this is a crucial day for the Premier League title race and neither United nor Liverpool will want to lose this game and give Arsenal the chance to reopen their gap at the top of the table.

It promises to be a scintillating and highly charged game between England’s two most successful clubs, and let’s hope these traditional enemies can get the biggest day in the Premier League so far this season off to a fascinating start.


FORM GUIDE (Prem unless otherwise stated)


Liverpool


Dec 11 v Marseille (a, CL) WON 4-0 (Gerrard, Torres, Kuyt, Babel)

Dec 8 v Reading (a) LOST 1-3 (Gerrard)

Dec 2 v Bolton (h) WON 4-0 (Hyypia, Torres, Gerrard, Babel)

Nov 28 v Porto (h, CL) WON 4-1 (Torres 2, Gerrard, Crouch)

Nov 24 v Newcastle (a) WON 3-0 (Gerrard, Kuyt, Babel)



Manchester United


Dec 12 v Roma (a. CL) DREW 1-1 (Pique)

Dec 8 v Derby (h) WON 4-1 (Giggs, Tevez 2, Ronaldo)

Dec 3 v Fulham (h) WON 2-0 (Ronaldo 2)

Nov 27 v Sporting (h, CL) WON 2-1 (Tevez, Ronaldo)

Nov 24 v Bolton (a) LOST 0-1




TEAM NEWS



Liverpool:


Xabi Alonso could return to the squad after missing two months with a broken metatarsal. Right Back Steve Finnan is doubtful with a calf strain, while Centre half Daniel Agger (foot) is still missing.

Possible Starting XI (4-3-3): Reina – Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Arbeloa – Benayoun, Gerrard, Mascherano, Riise – Torres, Kuyt.




Manchester United:


Experienced United legends Gary Neville (calf) and Paul Scholes (knee), as well as Park Ji-Sung (knee) all miss out for United, but after the money spent by Ferguson in the summer, his squad should be able to cope without them.

Possible Starting XI (4-4-2): Van der Sar – Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra - Ronaldo, Hargreaves, Anderson, Giggs – Rooney, Tevez.



PLAYERS TO WATCH


Liverpool – Fernando Torres has already become a fans favourite at Anfield and will be desperate to score against the Champions on Sunday. ‘El Nino’ has scored some vital goals already and he has a pace and calmness in front of goal that is reminiscent of Thierry Henry.


Manchester United - Cristiano Ronaldo is always the man United look towards to decide games like this and the Portuguese winger is continuing his excellent form that won him the Player of the Year award last season. Ronaldo has strength and power to match his trickery and could be the match winner again at Anfield this Sunday.