Match Preview: Liverpool vs Manchester United
Posted on 27. Jan, 2012 by Tom Cullimore in Match Reports
Riding high on the back of their morale boosting Carling Cup defeat of Manchester City, Liverpool will be looking to knock a second Manchester club out of contention for silverware in the space of four days and progress to the 5th round of the FA Cup. Whilst the player’s minds will be firmly focused on events on the pitch, it is the conduct of fans on both sides that has drawn the most media attention following the Luis Suarez racism row.
Overview
As ever in clashes between these giants of the English game, both sides will be desperate for victory, and with club loyalties so publically emphasised in the wake of Suarez’s aforementioned charge, this is likely to be a particularly feisty encounter. Both sides are likely to have to deal with a considerable amount of injuries and suspensions, but regardless, the players selected will undoubtedly fight tooth and nail for the win.
Team News
After an exhausting midweek fixture Kenny Dalglish will be tempted to freshen up his starting eleven. With that in mind Jay Spearing may well return to the squad as his manager remains conscious of filling the void left by Lucas’s injury. Despite firing the club to a first Wembley appearance since 1996, Craig Bellamy will almost certainly be replaced with Andy Carroll, in an effort to manage the Welshman’s long standing knee injury.
United too have their share of selection issues. Though they will be boosted by the return of Phil Jones, following an apparently miraculous recovery from his head injury last week, many first team players remain out of action. Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand and Nani are all doubtful, whilst the fixture comes just too soon for Tom Cleverly and Ashley Young to make their respective returns from injury.
Starting XIs
Liverpool (probable)
Reina; Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique; Spearing, Adam, Henderson, Gerrard, Downing; Carroll.
United (probable)
Lindegaard; Smalling, Evans, Jones, Evra; Valencia, Carrick, Giggs, Nani; Welbeck, Rooney.
Quotes
“We do all have a responsibility – we all have a responsibility to ensure that this game is remembered for the football.”
“Liverpool and Man United is a massive rivalry and, of course, there is going to be stuff in the papers and banter between fans.” – Liverpool Captain Steven Gerrard establishes the club’s position on a well documented rivalry whilst hinting at the ugly side of fan loyalty.
“It is a massive game for both clubs. There is a tremendous profile on it.
“I am confident. We want to talk about the game of football. It is something you want to look forward to. That is what I intend to do.
“Our fans were terrific there this season. The issue of clubs reducing the number of tickets for our supporters has been going on for quite a while now. It has become a convenient way of selling their hospitality. But the stewards have a difficult enough job as it is. We should be helping.” – Alex Ferguson echoes Gerrard’s sentiments and tries to shift the focus towards positive fan behaviour.
Stats
4 – Years since United won at Anfield.
8 – Amount of draws Liverpool have succumbed to at Anfield this season. They have mustered only 5 wins
10 – United’s overall lead in wins over Liverpool (71 to 61)
12 – Months since these two teams last met in the FA Cup
2004 – The year in which Sir Alex Ferguson’s team last lifted the cup
Prediction
1-1
With both sides itching to set the record straight over the fresh animosity that has built over the past months, this is likely to be a hotly contested affair. However, with injuries, suspensions and fatigue setting in, this one seems likely to end a draw, with neither team capable of playing at their best.
A red card on either side is a significant possibility and, as ever, would implicate hugely on the result. Liverpool have been touted as favourites due to the home advantage, but even the roar of the Kop might not be enough to see off a resilient United. Old Trafford beckons.
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42 Responses to “Match Preview: Liverpool vs Manchester United”
Kopsource.com is the brainchild of passionate Liverpool FC fans whose desire for real and regular news, opinions and statistics could not be satiated by any of the other existing sites online. 
anfield rd dreamer
27. Jan, 2012
Liverpool:
Reina
J’son, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique
Hendo, Gerrard, Spearing
Kuyt, Carroll, Downing
United:
Lindergaard
Rafeal, Evans, Smalling, Evra
Valancia, Scholes, Giggs, Park
Wellbeck, Berbatov
Although Fergie will want to win I can’t see him risking any players rated doubtful in starting 11, De Gea, Rooney an Jones on bench with few kids like Morrison an Pogba.
Very hard fought scrappy game Liverpool winning by 1 goal margin probably 2-1 but maybe as many as 3-2 if first goal comes early enough for game to open up!
Alexunder
27. Jan, 2012
Liverpool wants Cavani!!!
anfield rd dreamer
27. Jan, 2012
One thing really annoying me 3 men find Suarez guilty of using racist language on 1 man’s word, one fan under police investigation for shouting something at an Oldham player that either involved the word manc or black and still waiting to learn the truth. Meanwhile Ferdinand gets a bullet sent to him and Chelsea fans sing you know what you are about him several times whilst Chelseas manager tries to make out Ferdinand is the villan of the peace because he may refuse to shake Terry’s hand, the Terry who the police are taking to court next week. Both games happening at same time. And all the talk and speculation is on how well Liverpool fans will behave to Evra with general opinion being we will be scum of earth if give him any stick, we’ve always given all united players stick it’d actually be a form of positive racism if we treat him nicer than we naturally would just because of his skin colour!
anfield rd dreamer
27. Jan, 2012
Alexunder who wouldnt? But those rumours are from very unreliable sources so dont believe a word of it till you see him shaking Kenny’s hand at Melwood!
Alk2
27. Jan, 2012
Will we ever win the title again?
I can’t see it.
Maybe it’s for the best that we concentrate on tinpot cups.
Pool 0 Champions 3.
anfield rd dreamer
27. Jan, 2012
Alk “Will we ever win the league again” as you are clearly not a Liverpool fan I hope you are correct and your team never does win it again! Why would anybody waste their time coming on another teams discussion sites just don’t understand it.
Sam Charles
27. Jan, 2012
Fair play, alk 2 is on here because not much going on in Essex tonight. Well, there probably is at his mums house but that’s another story..and she’d want 20 quid to divulge.
truered
27. Jan, 2012
i dont think lfc will buy anyone this window the reason why is dont think they can fit them in without dropping people and thats not kenny’s way he will stick with his men till the summer now and not unsettle the squad….i think they will bring 2- 3 player in the summer to replace the likes of kuyt, maxi, aurelio and doni
striker to replace kuyt , winger to replace maxi and new goal keeper (i say this because dont think kenny trusts him after pre season ect) and young robinson will come up to full time first team duties to replce aurelio for back up at right back. well thats my theory
anfield rd dreamer
27. Jan, 2012
ooooh, that graham norton’s got a lovely smile, hasn’t he?
wouldn’t mind seeing his sossidge.
oooooh, i’m freeeeeeeeeeeeeee.
anfield rd dreamer
28. Jan, 2012
Haha you do realise that when you post as “me” the pattern/picture isn’t the same as the one my email generates so people can see it isn’t me don’t you? Don’t stop though I find it quite funny in a silly way reminds me of what I found funny when I was 12
Truered agree to an extent, but think it’s more we have a plan, to be in top 4 in summer, and improve the squad then with a higher level of player. Can’t really attract that level of player right now (although from what Kenny and Ian have said think the club are keeping eye out for the opportunity like when Suarez became available). If we recruit now anybody we recruit won’t really be much better than what we have and will hopefully be turning into squad players in the summer, with only few months of season left any new players would need to settle meaning their impact this season will be minimal, will that make difference between 5th and 4th? Maybe maybe not don’t think Kenny is convinced it will. Still believe there is a chance of 1 or 2 opportunities cropping up but it’s highly unlikely, maybe Krasic loan or a deal for Willian now Chelsea won’t follow up, speaking last April the lad said:
“Every time I get the chance I watch Liverpool. They are a very important club and a lot of players would jump at the chance to play for them.
“I have watched players such as Luis Suarez and I have a lot of respect for them.
“Despite all their problems they have a great chance to get back to the top of English football again. I remember watching their midfielder Lucas doing an interview for Sport TV in Brazil and he was showing a camera crew around.
“He spoke so highly about Anfield and we saw that the facilities behind the scenes are fantastic.”
Guy is definitely for sale at an inflated price but when our owners really want someone they believe has long term value that don’t scare them. But as said doubt anything will happen till the summer when hopefully lots will happen.
anfield rd dreamer
28. Jan, 2012
off to bed to watch my pineapple dance studios boxset.
see you all tomorrow, girlies!
Pete
28. Jan, 2012
Seriously what has this site got to? Mocking people, really?
We must go all out. A draw and stupid replay is not an option.
Sparko
28. Jan, 2012
Cheers Memo. Hopefully we’ll have another good performance like the city game today. I’m hoping we have recovered from that game & don’t look fatigued.
Would like to see our little Suarez & Bellamy start, to give them a nightmare & defend from the top like Bellamy did v city run them rag’ed.
Come on you reds YNWA. Top of the Morning.
Upper_Krust
28. Jan, 2012
C’MON YOU REEEDDDS!
Great display by the lads and the supporters were brilliant too (as ever)!
While the scum had most of the possession, I think we had the better chances overall.
Positives.
1. Andy Carroll. Lets give credit where credits due, thats probably his best showing since last season against City. No doubt about it. Not saying he looked world-beating, but he definately looked like a footballer instead of a donkey.
2. Kenny’s Tactics. Definately the most effective substitutions from the King. Really turned the momentum around for us.
3. Dirk Kuyt. Two good games in a row from the Diggler. His touch was actually superb again. Why couldn’t he play like that all season?
4. Luis Suarez. Did you see his reaction in the crowd? He loves LFC just as much as we love him!
If we get a home draw I fancy us to beat anyone left in the competition. Still some great teams in there, so I am trying not to get carried away, but I see no reason why we can’t have another good cup run now.
anfield rd dreamer
28. Jan, 2012
Upper Krust I am trying hard to not get carried away too but….fcuk it
Tell me ma me ma
To put the champagne on ice
We’re goin to wembley twice
Tell me ma me ma
Haha sorry just so stupidly happy!
Well done Kenny
28. Jan, 2012
Now, all those who voted for rafa in a recent kopsource poll, eat some serious humble pie, oh and an apology to King Kenny would be nice. Rafa is history, thank God. King Kenny understands LFC is a club that is all about winning trophies, not scraping into 4th place although that too is still achievable this season. Kenny understands LFC and what is important, looking at the bigger picture, weve stopped man u winning another trophy and given ourselves a chance of winning a possible 2nd trophy this season. Thats what its all about.
The Dog
28. Jan, 2012
I though I was Happy check this out…….http://i.minus.com/ijUesU4W4Vbsc.gif
Hyperbeat
28. Jan, 2012
Sam Charles I am still waiting to hear all your complains about today’s game v Mac utd? How poor we all were how poor Kenny’s tactics were and how everything needs to change? If you knew the slightest thing about football and LFC then you would realize that King Kenny is the right man for the job. LFC is work in progress and we are improving and that is all you can expect and ask for. Get behind the club or go glory hunt support Chelsea or Man City or some other billionaire’s toy club
sam charles - well done evra for giving us that goal for being out of position!! ha ha ha
28. Jan, 2012
hyper beat, did you go? i did and just got back,
1, thought that the team looked a little jaded but did well, man utd had much more rest and in this day and age it hepls so much.
2, agger and skrtel for me are becoming even stronger, skrtel was all over welbeck, he didnt get a look in.
3, enrique as good as he has been and at around 6 mill you will not get a better left back in the world let alone this league!, – but he needs to stop using his body power and relying on his upper body to get him out of trouble, he is good at it, but the ball he won when going in on rafael da silva should have just been kicked out of the ground for safety. – agger was having a go, if you even spott these things, so he was bang at fault for our goal.
4, Reina had next to nothing to do, came out and cleaned up a couple of time’s they had one shot that hit the post and maybe just 2 wide efforts at goal.
5. downing was great at helping out and tracking back and second half he did better going foward.
6, henderson never stops and a team needs that, well done to him, his effort was nearly rewarded with that pass he tried that just was cut out in the first half.
7. carroll – for once worked hard, for once run, for once grafted for his money and for once he looked like he wanted to be a part of this grand old club. and even me who cant really stand him – he was unlucky with his header it wasnt as easy as it looked, i was right behined it!!!!!!!!!!!!
8. kenny’s subs as they went on where well timed, adam helped to his credit to stabilise the center of the pitch after man utd tok scholes of, and went 4- 4- 2.
9. kelly had giggs in his pocket all day long, kelly looks great at the back, looked like he was getting tired towards the end as he has not played that much football, when your not playing week in week out its hard to then come back to a game like today.
grea win for many reasons other then just the football today, we all know what we feel about the other club i am talking about, and if you know what i mean regards the love fest this country has with the media and the stuff that surrounded todays game, all in all a great day and great win for connected with the club, -
but we still lack pace in some areas of the pitch and we need a striker, midfielder and a wideman that can either play out wide only or do both a be a link man with that jas pace and power.
In order for liverpool to be better and we all want that we need no less then 4 top quality players in the next 6 months, to be able to stay at the top and compete and we know this is clear. is that ok with you hyper- beat ? what ever your name is – !! dear god.
anfield rd dreamer
28. Jan, 2012
Agree with everything you say Sam and think the last 2 games have proved we have a lot more strength in depth than we are given credit for, I think we have enough to get our league form sorted and clinch 4th when we host Chelsea penultimate game of the season especially as will be at home an already beat them twice away. Then the recruits you mention or maybe in different positions will probably be brought in but be of a higher caliber than any we could attract now to make us title contenders once more.
anfield rd dreamer
28. Jan, 2012
How I see the squad after the summer;
Goal; Reina, Doni, Gulacsi
RB; Johnson, Kelly, Flanno
LB; Enrique, new?, Robinson
CB1; Skrtel, Carra, Wisdom
CB2; Agger, Coates, Wilson
RM; new?, Kuyt/new?, Amoo
LM; new?, Downing, Sterling
CM1; Lucas, Hendo, Spearing
CM2; Gerrard, Adam, Shelvey
SS; Suarez, Bellamy, Suso
CF; new?, Carroll, Ecclestone?
Maximum of back up left back, 2 or 3 top class wingers and a first choice centre forward to turn us into a top top team that can hang with any team with 2 or 3 good options in every position and several talented kids around the fringes.
Yorkshire Scouse
28. Jan, 2012
What a difference a week make!!! Get in!!! YNWA
TapTap
28. Jan, 2012
A good win which sadly means nothing because our supporters have let the club down once again.
To be honest, i’d rather we lose and our fans behave than we win and our supporters be racist pigs.
A dark, dark day in the history of LFC
anfield rd dreamer
28. Jan, 2012
“supporters”? “fans”? There is an investigation about 1 man what you on about?
Tiger7
28. Jan, 2012
Let’s not defend scum
LFC fans have proven themselves to be the most racist in the country recently
Shameful.
Let’s not support racism.
The Dog
28. Jan, 2012
TapTap your tapped one bod under investigation yet numerous allegations of disrespectful manc fans spitting on the Hillsborough memorial, who is this a dark day for?
If these allegations are true then these scumbags should be banned from every football ground and game for life……
Pete
28. Jan, 2012
Hendo just doesn’t stop. Three 90 minute games in 1 week.
Carroll today showed us what he can do! He set up Kuyt. And he worked hard for the team today. In the first half he was poor because he had no one up with him but if you give him a partner in attack either Suarez/Kuyt/Bellers the goals will come.
Kelly was solid.
Kenny also played that extremely well.
longfong
28. Jan, 2012
Type your comment here…
longfong
28. Jan, 2012
Good win. As for the stands, we have some bad apples but we also had our banners out against racism. The majority who stand against racism just need to be loud enough to make sure the racist few are not heard. If we stand together against racism we’ll be okay–it’s the Liverpool way after all.
anfield rd dreamer
29. Jan, 2012
1 fan in oldham game still not determined what results of investigation into what the guy said is. 1 fan today that the photo looks bad but a video will show what was happening for sure an cctv everywhere so we will soon know an if guilty the book will rightly be thrown at him. 2 people out of roughly 40000 at each game people talking ridiculous we hardly compare to the dozens of Charlton fans all recently banned for life an all up in court or the singing of hundreds of Chelsea fans at Genk or the half a dozen on their train journey back from Swansea people just trying to find reasons to attack scousers like its always been, how bout the amount of police it took to control the united fans today compared to rest of stadium? How bout the united fans spitting on the Hilsborough memorial?
PaddyG
29. Jan, 2012
No United fan spat on anything. They’re well-behaved, non-racist sorts.
Dave McQueen
29. Jan, 2012
ALK – WHATS THE SCORE?!
Nice to know it was Evra that lost his man for the goal. Without Rooney and Vidic they are average.
longfong
29. Jan, 2012
I think the only way forward–the only way to really do the club good and the community good–is to stand together as a community in opposition to racism and to focus on football. Lets get back to football and off the pitch we can make a stand for racial justice.
It helps nobody to be chanting against Evra. Suppose he had lied–it still wouldn’t do any good to chant at him! Focus on the football, positively supporting the team. That’s the way to win and the way to grow the club and breed success.
TopoftheKop
29. Jan, 2012
TOM CAN YOU PULL OUT A STATISTIC OF HOW MANY STARTS KELLY HAS HAD AND HOW MANY OF THOSE GAMES WE HAVE WON!?!? I know it doesnt really mean anything, but I feel like everytime he starts we end up with a win!!!!
anfield rd dreamer
29. Jan, 2012
Topofkop this season 12 games 10 wins 2 draws (although only on pitch for 3 minutes in one of those draws) last season 23 games 4 losses 7 draws an 12 wins, so yeah we do have really good record when he plays.
anfield rd dreamer
29. Jan, 2012
Seen the video of the guy, club will ban the idiot for life no doubt, already helped the police track him down an arrest him. Wonder if united will do anything bout the united fans arrested for spitting on the memorial?
Pete5
29. Jan, 2012
Kelly is quality
Dave McQueen
29. Jan, 2012
Utd fans coming on here antagonizing the situation says a lot about them. All clubs have idiot fans.
anfield rd dreamer
29. Jan, 2012
Well said Dave!
sam charles - got defending evra , er not
29. Jan, 2012
In life you have groups of people or just a few people in every club, business, family, company or any organisation. – that are bad and want to spoil it for ebeyone else.
So for that so called fan calling liverpool a bad club or a racist club then your so far wrong form reality its unture!!!! and we can all see that some comments above are ment to make us react- that im not going to give mugs like that a chance.
Liverpool maybe has some bad apples, but so does many clubs and so do many around this globe, there is no one company, no one club, no one team that doesnt have bad people working within them and that is just life- deal with it.
Just because i feel form the buttom of my soul that suarez is not guilty and that i feel that evra has lied, that does not make me a racist person, and most of my family are black – so get your heads around that one!
I am a liverpool fan yes and a racist i am not, but do i love suarez – YES do i think suarez is a racist – NO.
I dont care what people think about that, but what o do care about is that liverpool is not a racist club, so two fans now makes liverpool a bad club, er – think not – not at all……
one v oldham and then oldham thanked liverpool for their help in finding and naming and shaming the man, and out a nice statement tio say thanks!. – and we had one horrible fan yesterday who has be found out thanks to liverpool fans posting pictures and from the clubs help in helping the mersey side police – and people still think we are a bad club.
by the way the media are the ones we should all be very very digusted by,,, they are a disgrace to sport at the moment -
we beat both of sky sports football club’s(utd and city) and yet we get not a mention of a well done!!!! why – you figure it out?
this coountry and the set up with its stance on liverpool and kenny dalglish is just is just horrendous!!!!!
SAM CHARLES - BRIGHTON? F.A CUP
29. Jan, 2012
LIVERPOOL V BRIGHTON AT HOME NEXT ROUND OF CUP, GREAT DRAW, WE SHOULD WIN, ALTHOUGH BRIGHTON LIKE TO PLAY THE GAME THE RIGHT WAY, SHOULD BE A GOOD TIE, BUT ONE THAT SHOULD GO THROUGH.
anfield rd dreamer
29. Jan, 2012
Sam Charles very well said, what really stuns me is how many times I have seen the story of this man on sky sports compared to the hundreds of Chelsea fans singing in Genk or the dozen Charlton fans arrested an banned for life by the club or the dozen Chelsea fans on the train back from Swansea. The fight against racism is an important one we MUST win, racist behaviour is unacceptable under any circumstances, but seems the media cherry pick which stories to go for, most people probably don’t even know bout the Charlton stuff some may not even know bout the Chelsea stuff. Bet every single football fan knows bout this idiot yesterday and the stupid prat at the Oldham game though! Even though the other stories involve dozens or even hundreds and they were just individuals. Seems the idiot yesterday has had even more coverage than the bullet sent to Anton Ferdinand in the post with a hate letter, how do the two even compare? The guy yesterday has been arrested and expect once the legal side is all concluded the club will be allowed to ban him.