- Manchester United are aiming for four-straight wins vs. Liverpool
- David Moyes never won at Anfield as Everton manager (0-5-7)
- Daniel Sturridge has scored eight goals in his last seven league games
On Sunday at Anfield the fiercest rivalry in the Premier League will take center stage. Liverpool versus Manchester United (8:30am ET, watch live on NBCSN and via NBC Sports Live Extra) is here.
It will be a pulsating clash on Merseyside as the two arch rivals lock horns for the first time this season with both protecting unbeaten records after two PL games.
Manchester United manager David Moyes knows only too well about the passion and heritage surrounding Liverpool Football Club. For the last 11 years Moyes managed Liverpool’s city rivals Everton, just a stones throw away across Stanley Park. Now the 50-year-old Scotsman must take his new side into the fiery Anfield cauldron as the Red Devils cap off a massive week of action.
On Monday night Moyes’s men huffed and puffed but were shutout by Chelsea in the 0-0 draw at Old Trafford. Now Moyes has a chance to pick up his first real marquee win as United manager.
As for the hosts, Liverpool have yet to concede and after two-straight 1-0 wins to open the campaign, plenty of people are wondering if Rodgers’ side can sneak into the top four this season. The return of Luis Suárez is coming up but Daniel Sturridge has performed admirably in the Uruguayan’s absence, scoring both game-winners in the victories over Stoke City and Aston Villa.
But going into this game Liverpool have a huge headache defensively. Only Daniel Agger is fully-fit as Martin Skrtel is returning from injury and the so far impressive Kolo Toure was stretched off during the League Cup win over Notts County in midweek. Liverpool’s other center back, Sebastián Coates, is out for the season and Rodgers has a real issue as to who will lineup in defense. Skrtel is likely to get the nod but is nowhere near 100 percent fit.
United will look to take advantage of Liverpool’s defensive woes as an in-form Wayne Rooney is set to start in his hometown. Rooney, 27, dazzled against Chelsea on Monday night as José Mourinho and Chelsea were reminded exactly why they’re pursuing the England international. But it seems as though Rooney will be staying at United as Chelsea have all but conceded defeat in the race for the strikers signature.
As mentioned Toure will be missing for Liverpool and so will midfielder Joe Allen and new signing Aly Cissokho who were all injured in Liverpool’s draining 4-2 win over Notts County. Moyes has no real injury concerns as Phil Jones recovered from a slight back injury against Chelsea.
Expect plenty of passion, meaty tackles and drama as two English heavyweights collide in one of the greatest derbies in world soccer.
What they’re saying
Brendan Rodgers on the importance of the derby: “Liverpool v Manchester United is a massive game. It’s more than a football game, it’s a story of two cities and you’re representing the people of your city and the history of that city. It’s more than a football match. But it’s important that you retain that calmness and belief on the field, to get the result – because, ultimately, that’s what it’s about.”
David Moyes on Wayne Rooney: “He’s looking in good condition and is mentally in good shape. We’ll do everything we possibly can to keep that going and need him to keep performing well. At the moment, he’s in good shape. Wayne Rooney has been a great player for many years for Manchester United. He was an up and coming great player as a young boy at Everton and his career has gone the way that people expected it to go.”
United’s Rio Ferdinand on facing Liverpool: “The rivalry is always going to be huge. You still get a different type of feeling when it’s Liverpool – just the history between the clubs and the success Liverpool have had and the success we’ve had in recent years… On the pitch, you can sense the atmosphere leading up to the game and during the game. You know what it means to the people of Manchester to beat Liverpool, especially at Anfield.
Prediction
What a tremendous spectacle this promises to be as two massive rivals square up for an early season clash at one of soccer’s greatest amphitheaters. This rich rivalry is engrained in the citizens of Manchester and Liverpool and both sets of players will be acutely aware of it. Liverpool have had a great start to the season but this is a massive step up for Rodgers’ men. The Kop will roar them on but United will be tough to break down. Expect a draw here.
