Looking at Anfield

All eyes will be on Anfield

The Liverpool 360, or what I like to call the Eye of Liverpool stands impassively on the banks of the Mersey river. It's something you can't miss on Albert Docks. I had a fair view of it nightly from my room in the Ibis Hotel , just across the road.

Likewise, the fixture that all eyes will be upon this week is the Liverpool-Manchester United game. Sir Alex Fergerson has billed it as the games of the season, ahead of intra-city rivals Citeh, and the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea. King Kenny however has opted to go for the mind game route, being quoted as saying:

"People say this is the biggest game of the season," said the Liverpool manager. "I don't look at any game as being big or small. It's another game where you get three points for winning.

"The only difference this time is the fact that if we win we'll move a bit closer to them. It's an opportunity to help yourself and dent their chances at the same time.

"United have started the season very well. They're sitting top of the table at the moment and that's where everybody wants to be."

Liverpool have won this fixture for the last three seasons, but Dalglish has warned his players that will count for nothing come 12.45pm on Saturday.

"In this fixture last season, we got our reward for playing very well and won 3-1," he said. "But we won't get anything on Saturday because of what we did the last time we played United.

"We know that what we're up against and so do they. Nobody will have an easy 90 minutes. That's what the Premier League is all about."

 - sourced from the full article here: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Liverpool-v-Manchester-United-is-just-another-game-claims-Kenny-Dalglish-article811121.html

3 pointer?

So, how do I see it personally? For me, it's a big, big game. We won last round, so loosing this fixture would mean that we would be dropping 3 points compared to what was achieved last season. As it stands, Liverpool is currently 8 points up in comparison to similar matches this time last season. Loose, and we will be 5 points up. Points dropped aside, bragging rights will be lost, as well as the knowledge that Liverpool was found lacking when it comes to stopping the big Red machine of Manchester. We should be masters of our own fate, and not rely on the likes of Citeh to stop no. 20 from resting in Manchester United. Beat Manchester United, and the gap between LFC and United drops to a mere 3 points. It also shatters their myth of invincibility, while making the game versus Citeh all the more pressurizing. All's to play for then.

Players to watch

Injured personnel wise, Vidic and Cleverly could return for United. This will shore up United's defence, though Vidic has been red carded frequently for derby matches. Phil Jones is faster than Vidic, and the pairing of Vidic to handle Caroll while Jones tracks Suarez is an interesting one. That leaves Rio and Smalling as the other contenders. For Liverpool, Captain Marvel is back - Stevie will be chomping at the bit to United in and his return will be at the expense of Adam or Henderson surely.  Right back for Liverpool remains a challenge, with Kelly injuring his groin again, while I can't remember the last time Johnson played. For me, Lucas and Kuyt should start for their sheer energy, while Suarez will be called upon to be a game winner. Caroll can also continue his revival by scoring against United, though I'm not sure how the United defenders will handle him.  For Man United,  Young is  an obvious threat, Rooney often shys away during big games, while Nani will be reacquinted with Carragher. A big tackle will be a good way to remind him of his last outing .

Match officials

Andre Marriner revisits Anfield having dished out red cards to Vidic and Maschareno. Hope his return will be a fair one.

Formation

This is anyone's guess, as stated earlier I would prefer Kuyt over Henderson. Gerrard on right wing will be an interesting one, though I suspect he may well run out of steam hence the need for Energizer Kuyt to be there.  Here's my attack minded 3-5-2

Another more conservative 4-4-2, without Agger and Henderson

Here's to the game then!