We have the BIG-ONE coming up on Sunday. Liverpool vs. Manchester United at Anfield. It’s a match which has history, passion, 3 points (which is what it comes down to at the end of the day) and lots more. I am an ardent Manchester United fan. I want nothing more than a win for United at Anfield on Sunday evening.
Here are five ways in which we can have that:
1) BE BOLD: We haven’t won at Anfield since the 2007-08 season. This is simply unacceptable. Liverpool is beatable on their home patch (look at Arsenal. They have been winning at Anfield so much in the past few seasons). I have got the feeling (my views only) that we have been deferential to them at Anfield a lot more than is needed.
Especially last year, I felt that we were favorites to win the game but our tactics were such that we could not push successively for one. What I want is a bold line up which sends out a strong, definitive signal to all: We are here to WIN. We will take you on your home ground and we have 200% belief that we WILL defeat you.
2) THE LINEUP: I want this lineup: De Gea, Rafael, Vidic, Rio, Buttner, Carrick, Cleverley, Young, Valencia, Kagawa, van Persie. This line-up is explosive in attack, good in defense and has a lively midfield. Antonio Valencia and Young (if fit) provide us quality supply down the flanks and Shinji Kagawa gives the quality in the final third which was sorely lacking last season.
Robin van Persie is no stranger to scoring winners at Anfield so I won’t go there! As for the defending, the back four is good. Buttner for Patrice Evra you say?? Let me tackle that. Patrice is out of form. Raheem Sterling is in hot form.
There is the racism row still hanging over both Luis Suarez and Evra`s head. Taking Pat out of the line of fire will ensure that Buttner, who played well against Wigan, will come up against Sterling. Alexander is a good defender and he will have Young (if fit) backing him up as and when needed. Problem solved.
As for the centre of midfield, Michael Carrick and Tom Cleverley are good enough for Steven Gerrard, Joe Allen and Jonjo Shelvey. Fabio Borini can be tackled easily by Rafael. Even if Borini and Sterling shift flanks, there shouldn’t really be a problem!
3) POSSESSION: Brendan Rodgers’ sides are sides which like to keep the ball. Our mission is to deny them possession as much as possible. The longer they go without having the ball at their feet, the more they will be restlessness which should induce more mistakes from the home side.
4) TAKE CHANCES: We will get chances to score against this Liverpool side. I am dead sure of that. They aren’t THAT secure at the back now and can be opened up (again, refer to Arsenal`s 2-0 win here). We have an amazing attack. Let us use it to the best of our ability so that every time a Kagawa or a Valencia bears down on goal, Pepe Reina prays to the gods that he not concede! We have a lethal striker in RvP. Carrick’s Alex Song-esque balls may be a potent weapon for us if the middle of the park gets too crowded. The wings will be very important and so our wingers must be at their best.
5) DEFEND VERY WELL: Let’s be honest here. Who are the biggest threats to us? Suarez, Sterling and Gerrard. That’s it. We can defend well against these people. I am sure. We will be dealing with far more dangerous attacks in the latter stages of the Champions League and when we play Arsenal and Manchester City. We have good quality defenders and I am sure we can come away with a clean sheet.
In conclusion, I hope for a great game between two sides with a long standing rivalry. But my only wish is a United win, it’s been long overdue at Anfield. The last time we won was way back in 2007 when a certain Carlos Tevez scored the winner. That win should arrive on Sunday.
By Yashasvee Prasad @yash647
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