The Manchester United vs Liverpool match will take place this Sunday, March 16, 2014 (6:30 AM Pacific, 13:30 GMT) at Old Trafford. No matter where either team is in the league, this game always represents the most hotly contested and hyped game of the season, Liverpool at Old Trafford.
This time around, it’s Liverpool who are battling for the championship, and they come to Old Trafford in a quest for points that will see them keep Manchester City at arms length, and close in on Chelsea.
The column inches have been filled this season with the ‘one step forward two steps back’ nature of David Moyes’ torrid first season in charge. As many times as it’s been written that the next three games will dictate his season, these next three games really will.
All at Old Trafford, United face Liverpool, Olympiakos and Man City within a week, and although the idea of the team getting what they need from all three matches is in essence a pipe dream, it’s not beyond the realms of possibility.
Man Utd Team News
Injuries haven’t been an excuse for quite some time now, yet the results have still been hugely inconsistent, but Moyes now has Nani, Evans and Javier Hernandez back in training to further bolster the options he has at his disposal. The truth is however, the less options Moyes has available, the better off they probably are.
The incessant need for tinkering has undoubtedly hampered United this year and looking back on the season, perhaps Moyes will accept responsibility for many of the displays, in which uncertainty has been the hallmark of the entire campaign.
You wouldn’t expect Moyes to change much from the last game at West Brom where United ran out comfortable 3-0 winners, but it would hardly come as a shock to see 5 or 6 players come in. Welbeck did look good when he came on and scored last time out, but he’s not playing the same game as Van Persie so it’s impossible to see any place for him in the starting line up.
Liverpool Team News
As Liverpool gear up for the run in, they will be pleased with the fact that they have not had to cope with any European football to deplete their squad. Brendan Rodgers certainly doesn’t have the strength in depth that others around him do, but when you’re playing one game a week, it’s not really a problem.
Sturridge and Suarez are the best striking partnership in world football right now and next year they will cause all sorts of problems for European defences. They are extremely likely to cause problems tomorrow too, although Suarez has never really fancied it against their biggest rivals. He will be hoping to make amends here.
Lucas is in contention after injury, but with the form of Henderson and Gerrard, it’s hard to see him starting in a game of this magnitude so early on in his recovery. Liverpool will look to dominate possession and put United on the back foot from the first whistle.
Manchester United vs Liverpool Prediction
These games are often more about physical and tactical battles rather than good football, sendings off tend to happen, and they are often settled by the odd goal, however, this season is not like any other, and I expect the game to be very open and played at a high pace. Who will this suit? Both teams have world class attacking players, it depends on who’s up for it. Van Persie loves to play against Liverpool, as does Rooney, and these two could make the difference against a defence that doesn’t inspire confidence. Manchester United 3 – 2 Liverpool.
Manchester United vs Liverpool Television
The Manchester United vs Liverpool match will be televised on NBC Sports Network (USA), and Sky Sports 1 HD (UK).
Possible Lineups
Click here for the Possible Manchester United Lineup, and here for the Possible Liverpool Lineup.
