Man United vs Liverpool Preview

So that time has come again, the two most successful clubs in English football meet again tomorrow afternoon in a pivotal fixture, for both Manchester United and Liverpool at The Theatre of Dreams.

The start of the season has seen mixed fortunes for both clubs, the same record (WWDL= 7 points) and already 5 points adrift from early season favourites Manchester City. Despite correlation in on the field fortunes, it is off the field where this week we have seen the focus lie.

Pressure on Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has been unrelenting, since the abysmal showing at the back end of last season.  This coupled with a tough run of away fixtures to come fans are already baying for his blood. In contrast Louis Van Gaal has no real threat of the chop however rumors of an internal power struggle between his senior players and his strict mentality may undermine the overall progress of the team.

The culture and open playing style of Liverpool under Brendan Rodgers had been both admired but also questioned during the near title winning season. The attacking style was great to watch however leaking goals with an alarming frequency was something that needed to be addressed moving forward. The Recruitment of a commanding centre back to replace the void left by both Jamie Carragher and Daniel Agger was seemingly a high priority. Close to £40m was spent, unfortunately neither Sahko nor Lovren have seemed to nail down the spot, with the latter putting in some awry performances since his move to Anfield.

The culture of Manchester United was something that has only recently come under scrutiny. With 26 years of Sir Alex at the helm, his DNA is something that runs strong throughout the fibre of the club. Grumblings of a lack of faith in LVG’s more rigid style have hit the headlines. Senior players have reportedly approached the Manager in regards to playing a more open style, but we will see on Saturday afternoon if the inflated ego of LVG will succumb.

Looking more closely at this game in particular it is extremely difficult to call as the form guide offers no real clarity. The only indications on what level each team is at, was a stellar first half display from Liverpool at The Emirates last month. In a game that lacked everything but goals Liverpool imposed themselves (Be it only for 45 minutes) at a venue they have rarely come away with much from against an Arsenal; side that have been tipped to challenge for the title. In the second half Liverpool managed to keep it tight at the back and rack a 3^rd successive clean sheet, but all of that good work was thrown in the air against West Ham.

As an exception to the rule the notion of home advantage up and down the league has been dispelled. Teams are lining up more openly away from home leading to a few surprise results. So will Liverpool go to Old Trafford in search of snatching all three points, or apply the caution?

My guess will be they will try and catch Manchester United cold as they did to devastating effect in the back end of the 13/14 season. The suspension of chief playmaker Coutinho and the injury doubt of Lallana could see Rodgers flood the midfield and stop the methodical build up from deep of Carrick or Schweinsteiger.

Captain Jordan Henderson is expected to miss out again and Joe Allen is still not returned to full training so the midfield virtually picks itself. Formation wise I would expect Liverpool to line up with a diamond midfield of: Lucas, Emre Can, Milner and Firmino. With Danny Ings handed his first start partnering Christian Benteke.

I firmly believe that if Liverpool adopt this approach that the full back battle will be the decisive factor on how things will swing. If you analyse Liverpool’s first two fixtures against Stoke and Bournemouth Clyne and Gomez played extremely narrow, perhaps to cover the fragility of Skrtel and Lovren. The centre back partnership of Skrtel & Lovren works more effectively when they are not dragged into wider positions with space in behind.

In the games Manchester United have looked more assured in, Shaw and Darmian have been more progressive and affected the game in the opposition half more. Although LVG has employed 3 attacking players behind the lone striker Rooney, with the full backs have been encouraged to provide the width. Depay often drifts in off the left and similarly with Mata on the right. So which set of full backs can exploit the wide areas will be a huge factor.

Manchester United will also have to try and take advantage of the lack of pressing the Liverpool team will be able to apply with both Coutinho and more notably Henderson missing. Although they have been very pedestrian in possession at times, all of the midfield options have undoubted quality on the ball, and can provide telling passes.

Both teams are yet to find full fluidity in the final third but Liverpool have a lot more to prove. Despite struggling to get results against Manchester United last season Liverpool put in some of their better performances against United last season with no avail. Taking all these elements into consideration it a very difficult one to call personally, I think it will be a low scoring draw!