Whenever Manchester United travel to Anfield, it’s a big game. Tomorrow’s match in the FA Cup is even bigger and has all the makings to be a classic.
Liverpool will go into the game feeling confident. After all, they put in a good showing against Manchester City at Anfield on Wednesday when they equalised twice from to gain a tie-clinching draw.
After overcoming Roberto Mancini’s men in the Carling Cup semi-finals, they have in effect got one hand and four fingers on the trophy that they have won a record 7 times as they are firm favorites to defeat Malky Mackay’s Championship side Cardiff City.
Kenny Dalglish whether you like him or not, has unsurprisingly changed the atmosphere at Liverpool since re-joining last season making it clear after patchy results to his underperforming players that he demands more from them.
After defeating City, there is nothing Dalglish who bleeds Liverpool would love nothing better to do than make it a Manchester double and defeat United. Never mind the Cardiff game, tomorrows match is a ‘Cup Final’ for Liverpool.
Lose and they lose any momentum that they will get from winning the Carling Cup final, with any chances they have of obtaining a Champions League place gone. Win and their fans can start dreaming of a great end to the season.
United face a similar story, win and it will give the side even more confidence that they can pip City and win the league. Lose and face the consequences of once again being written off all whilst doing so at the home of the club’s biggest rivals.
So what can we expect from tomorrow’s game. What will be the key battles on the pitch?
Antonio Valencia v Luis Enrique
Only someone with insanity would have thought that Liverpool were making a mistake by drafting in left-back Enrique from Newcastle in the summer. He has settled into life at Anfield well and has been the Premier League’s in-form full-back so far this season.
Speaking of in-form players, Valenica has been United’s best player of late and after two outstanding performances at City in the last round and Arsenal in the league has the ability to trouble Enrique who will relish a challenge.
Michael Carrick v Steven Gerrard
It would be fair to say that 2011 was probably the worst year of Liverpool’s captain Gerrard’s career. When he wasn’t out injured he was struggling with niggling injures on the pitch and was unable to drag his side back as title challengers.
The New Year though has started well for Gerrard and he has the ability to roll back the years and hurt United. Carrick’s job will be to stop him doing just that, but this may be a challenge he can’t win due to United’s midfield problems.
Danny Welbeck v Daniel Agger
Whether or not Wayne Rooney overcomes his injury doubt and starts for United tomorrow, this is once again a big opportunity for Welbeck to impress on the big-stage and show once again why he is so highly thought of not just at Old Trafford but around the country.
After running Arsenal’s centre-back’s ragged at the Emirates last week, he will have a tougher opponent to deal with this weekend in Agger who after seemingly shaking his injury woes off for good is looking as fit and strong at the back as he ever has.
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In terms of a prediction for the game, I believe that given the circumstances going into the game given the Luis Suarez-Patrice Evra race-row, tomorrow’s match is hardly likley to be an entertaining game of football despite both sides containing undisputed match-winners.
Liverpool probably have the edge with the match being at Anfield, but United have won many big games there and will know that if they play to their best, then Dalglish’s side are going to have to play well to deny them reaching the fifth round. Expect the game to be drawn 1-1 seting up a replay.
By Adam Dennehey @ADennehey87
