Key battles: Manchester United vs Liverpool
Kenny Dalglish couldn’t have asked for a tougher task on his return as a manager, than a trip to Old Trafford. There is no doubt that Liverpool players and fans will be lifted by the return of ‘King’ Kenny, but the task in hand does not get any easier by
his return.
It is the players who need to perform on the pitch which, unfortunately, they have not been doing for the past few months. The likes of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres have to be at their very best if Liverpool want to come home victorious.
Manchester United have been better in terms of form and their home record proves that. They have won 9 of their 10 league games at home this season.
Liverpool on the other hand have been nothing short of horrendous on their travels, having won just once on the road all season. Liverpool have also lost 7 of their 10 away matches in the league this season.
However, a game of this stature can be decided by a moment of brilliance by an individual or a moment of utter stupidity on the part of any player or the referee.
Bettor.com looks at some of the key battles in this match which we believe can affect the outcome of this big clash. The team that wins most of these battles is most likely to come out as eventual winners.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Fernando-Torres-c13707
This has always been the most important individual duel in this clash for the past few seasons now. Fernando Torres has been the winner on more than one occasion and he usually gives Vidic a torrid time.
However, Vidic was the winner when the two sides met this season. Torres failed to score and Liverpool lost 3-2 at Old Trafford. Torres has shown indifferent form this season and if he ever wanted to show his desire to play for the club, then this is the
opportunity for him.
Kenny Dalglish will motivate all the players and would make sure Torres is in top shape, both physically and mentally, before this encounter.
Unlike Torres, Vidic has been sensational for United this season. The Manchester United captain will need to make sure that he is at the top of his game to stop Torres, as the Spaniard has the ability to change any game with a moment of pure genius – as
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 has witnessed this season.
Anderson v http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Steven-Gerrard-c34196
Anderson was asked to man mark Steven Gerrard in his debut season and he did the job brilliantly that day. He made sure Stevie G did not get involved in the game and the result was obvious; Liverpool lost the game to Manchester United.
Anderson has been in terrific form of late and he will need to keep a close eye on http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Liverpool-c39809’s skipper. Gerrard looked lively when he came off the bench in their 2-1 win over Bolton and once again almost showed that he can change a game single handedly,
when he scored one and then won the penalty against Blackburn. Even though he skied the penalty shot, there is no doubt who will be Liverpool’s main man on Sunday.
If Anderson can help United keep Gerrard at bay, the job will be half done and Manchester United’s task will be made a lot easier.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Dimitar-Berbatov-c11254 v Daniel Agger
Top of the goal scoring charts in the premier league, Dimitar Berbatov scored a hatrick in Manchester United’s 3-2 triumph over Liverpool at the start of the season. He will again hold the key to opening up Liverpool’s dodgy defence.
The return of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Daniel-Agger-c9884 is sure to give more stability and class to the back four of Liverpool. They were shocking against Blackburn during the mid week and a repeat of that performance and we might witness another Berbatov hatrick.
Agger does not have match fitness and it won’t be easy for him to stop the in-form United striker. However, it is imperative that he does stop him, or else pay the price of another year without a proper shot at F.A cup.
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