Liverpool v United...who's going to play?

There’s no point in building a game like this up; it builds itself up. The history, rivalry and current contention to become the greatest team domestically (Liverpool on 18 titles, United on 18 and all that) sets this fixture aside and is surely up there with any of the most intense footballing duels or derby games in the world.

So, instead what I’ll do is have a cheeky pop at assessing and analysing our most appropriate tactics for the game (although apparently we have a fairly decent manager to do that?), especially as the majority of us will ignorantly, yet inevitably, consider this as an easy opportunity to gain revenge over last seasons 2 shambolic results considering their notable absentees:

At the back.
The back-line, when fit and at our full disposal, should read itself. Van der saar is by far our most competent ‘keeper (especially after our no.2 definitely didn’t take full advantage of his chance) and, as proven with last seasons copious number of clean-sheets, he works well and coherently with his defence.
My back 4 would always be Brown – Ferdinand – Vidic – Evra. It looks as though they are all available – with Brown, the most inconsistent and vulnerable to injury, now fully fit – so I don’t understand why Ferguson doesn’t work this defence together more often (the very same defence from 2007/08). As it is, I feel he will play O’Shea, who deputised well for the injured Brown and the recovering Neville in large parts of last season, however I fear his loyalties may lie towards his captain. He has featured in the last 2 games, which could mean 1 of 2 things (…or both?); either Ferguson’s trying him out, assessing his fitness and seeing how he fairs against slightly lesser opposition before he risks starting him in major games, or b) (oh, I didn’t do an a) did I?) he wants to start him against Liverpool and so is pumping up his match fitness. As I may or may not have expressed already, I’m not a huge fan of Nev; but mainly because we have such a decent reserve at right-back (Brown, O’Shea and Rafael). Neville does however work well as a proper right-back; pushing up and linking well with his winger, yet with the pace that Aurelio and/or Babel possess on the left for Liverpool, I fear he could be caught out too easily and unable to keep on their tales sufficiently.

Midfield.
Valencia – Carrick – Anderson – Giggs. I feel Valencia and Giggs (although a potential doubt) are pretty obvious; both provide sufficient width and adequate ball control (to stretch and challenge Johnson/Carragher and Insua), create numerous chances for the strikers and link-up well with their full-backs. In the centre though is where the constant selection headache for SAF exists. Fletcher is becoming a popular choice and would surely have the accurate capability to deal with Liverpool’s creative sources through the centre (such as Gerard, IF playing). The noises coming out of Old Trafford so far though are that he’s unavailable, so I feel Anderson’s ability to push forward and advance the attacking movement with his passing, as well as his forceful, all-out nature when on the defence, makes him a suitable replacement.
As for Carrick; people will argue that he hasn’t performed at a high enough level this season, however his passing and ability to keep his position and hold the ball well always make him a vital feature. Thoughts?

Attack.
Berbatov – Owen..? Here’s where problems arise. As a replacement for Rooney (who like Fletcher, and possibly Giggs, is a doubt for Sunday) Owen is an obvious choice as he is our only choice; yet he is not a sensible choice. With Owen we have a clinical finisher, yet someone devoid of enough pace and physical strength to challenge Carragher/Agger. I am of course hoping Rooney is fit as, like Michael, Macheda and Wellbeck are still well in need of match practise to be able to be considered for games like this. Don’t get me wrong, I am pleased that they are available and on the bench when needed, but perhaps we are better off with Giggs playing behind Berbatov – as he has done fairly successfully, thus allowing Berbatov that added freedom he loves when not sharing the same roll with a partner – and, dare I say, stick Nani on the left…but only because Park’s out as well!

As for Liverpool minus Torres, Gerrard and Johnson? To be honest, I can see at least 2 of them playing on Sunday (probably Gerrard being the most likely absentee due to his overuse and further aggravation the injury on Tuesday night) which would no doubt provide them with some relief. Even still, this is Liverpool-United. Regardless of who is out for us, revenge for last season’s results will be much desired; and again, regardless of who they are missing, they won’t want the shame of another home defeat and 5 in a row; especially not against us. They will be up for this as they so irritatingly always are; but let’s just pray that we can see the consistently poor Liverpool of the last month vs. the consistently improving United of the last month…

Prediction.
As much as they want to beat us, and know that a win could turn their season around, there has been little sign of quality or improvement to show that Liverpool genuinely has what it takes to win on Sunday. I’m going for 1-1, as not only can I not see too many – especially if both teams are, as expected, without their most prolific strikers – I can also see them defending our attacking threat like their season depends on it…because it does.