If Liverpool did not have a North West Derby staring them in the face, there may have been more reflection on what happened last weekend. A 3-1 loss at a relegation battler (West Ham) - one that played more one-sided than the final score - would normally cast some doubt on the strength of a new project, and the Reds under Kenny Dalglish and Fenway Sports Group are still very much a new project. But because that project is in its infancy - seemingly restructured since the last time Liverpool faced Manchester United - there was a willingness to move beyond last weekend's setback and concentrate on the task at hand: Can the Reds derail Manchester United?
Liverpool Vs. Manchester United, Preview: Reds Look To Snap Devils’ Run In North West Derby
And by derail, we mean prevent them from winning the title, and after Manchester United lost mid-week to Chelsea, a Liverpool win on Sunday becomes even more influential in deciding the title. Not only does it keep the gap between United and Arsenal at three points (with the Red Devils having arguably the more difficult run-in), it also stacks another set of doubts on top of those United were handed mid-week. At Stamford Bridge, the Red Devils had a match for the taking - a chance to end a run of disappointing results at Chelsea that extends back to 2002. But the leaders failed to do so, again forgoing a chance to take a stranglehold on a record-setting 19th first division title. If Liverpool can give United their first losing streak of the season, they'll be compounding that set of doubts, possibly preventing United from taking sole-possession of the record.
The New Steven Gerrard
At one time, Steven Gerrard was the player Liverpool fans could count on to provide goals from midfield. Since the calendar turned to 2011, Raul Meireles has been that man. In just over two months, Meireles has scored more goals than had did in any league season at FC Porto.
| Season | Club | GP | G |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007-08 | Porto | 28 | 4 |
| 2008-09 | 28 | 4 | |
| 2009-10 | 26 | 2 | |
| 2010-11 | Liverpool | 24 | 5 |
League totals only. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
“Who will lift the flag and carry on?”
Liverpool's ability to do so will be dictated by how readily they can replace Fernando Torres. Obviously, Liverpool has replaced the Chelsea striker. They've incorporated Luis Suárez, and Andy Carroll is due back at any time. But as it concerns matching-up with Manchester United, Torres's absence is of particular importance. In their last four meetings with United, Liverpool has scored six goals, half of which came from Torres. The Spaniard's ability to play close to and exploit United's central defenders with his combination of speed and skill provides a completely different profile to Suárez or Carroll. Or Dirk Kuyt, for that matter. With Torres gone, Dalglish is going to have to find another way to threaten United.
To this point, that other way has been Raul Meireles. Since Dalglish took over Liverpool in early January, the Portuguese midfielder has scored four goals, recently being named the Premier League’s February Player of the Month. He is one of five different goal scorers for Dalglish, with Liverpool yet to be shut out in league since King Kenny’s return. But of those five goal scorers, only one other has recorded more than one goal: Fernando Torres. With Meireles already tallying more league goals than he ever recorded at Porto, it seems unlikely the 27-year-old is really the second coming of, well, Steven Gerrard.
Five, Or Four
At the other end of the pitch, it's difficult to forecast how United matches-up against Liverpool's defense because we don't have a lot of examples of this squad going up against three central defenders. By the book, you would think a United club that always has a stable of talented wingers would be well-suited to face the 3-5-2/5-3-2.* But Antonio Valencia is still out. Park Ji-Sung is out. The only wide players available who have Alex Ferguson's confidence are Nani and Ryan Giggs, part of the reason we saw Wayne Rooney pushed out left in United's last Champions League match. While for most teams, Giggs and Nani would be enough on the flanks, some can question whether Giggs a still the wide threat that can trouble right-center back Jamie Carragher.
* - That all assumes Liverpool plays with five at the back. Martin Kelly is out with a hamstring injury. Daniel Agger and Fabio Aurelio are also out. With Kelly serving as the right wing back in the 3-5-2 and his understudy (Aurelio, presumably) gone, how can Dalglish play that formation without putting Maxi Rodríguez in an unfamiliar position? Dalglish has become linked to this 3-5-2 because of his move to it, but he's only been playing it for one month. It's unlikely he's so married to the formation that he'll force square pegs into round holes.
Giggs' main virtues are his decision making on the ball, leadership, and delivery. For those seasons, he is as effective pinching-in from the left as he is staying wide. If he does come in, he will work with Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick to form a midfielder of passers that Liverpool's deeply-deployed formation will have trouble taking off the ball (without compromising their shape). If that trio can stay patient and make smart decisions, the Red Devils should eventually be able to create chances for Wayne Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov, Javier Hernández or Nani.
But that’s the ‘if all goes to plan’ scenario. It’s a similar scenario that should have played out on Tuesday, when Manchester United was better than Chelsea with the ball at their feet. But at some point, you have to have the will to win the game. That’s where Chelsea beat United, and that’s a trait that we’ve seen Dalglish start to restore in Liverpool. And while it seems strange to say this in light of what we’ve seen from Alex Ferguson’s sides over the years, this season’s United team doesn’t seem to have that cutting edge. They don’t seem to be able to put away matches like their predecessors could. They don’t seem to be able to take advantage of the match-ups.
So while it doesn’t seem like Liverpool has a player to match-up with Nani, that might not be enough for United. While a slow Liverpool defense seems ripe to be picked apart by Scholes and Giggs’ passing, Wayne Rooney’s movement, that might not be enough. While it seems United’s ball movement could open up the spaces Dimitar Berbatov thrives upon, that also may not be enough.
At some point, United has to capitalize on their advantages. If they do, it’s not difficult to see Liverpool tumble to a second consecutive lopsided loss. If they don’t, Raul Meireles will have another chance to be a hero.
Injuries and Suspensions
Nemanja Vidic is suspended after picking-up a red card against Chelsea, which is too bad. He usually saves his dismissals for this derby.
Out for United: Valencia, Park, Owen Hargraves, Rio Ferdinand, Michael Owen, Jonny Evans and Anderson. That means Chris Smalling and Wes Brown are likely to start in central defense, unless Ferguson gets imaginative (by putting John O'Shea, Patrice Evra, or Michael Carrick back there). If it weren't for the huge disadvantage United would be accepting on set pieces, it would almost make sense to drop Carrick into a central defense that will be trying to counter speed more than power.
Liverpool will be without Kelly, Agger, and Aurelio. From the players at Dalglish's disposal, we could see a backline of Carragher, Martin Skrtel, Danny Wilson and Glen Johnson. Midfielder Jonjo Shelvey is also out, but the man Liverpool fans have been waiting for, Andy Carroll, could dress.
Pick
Manchester United’s won three derbies in a row, so as a way of copping-out of a real pick, I’m going to go with recent history and pick United 2, Liverpool 1. While Liverpool’s performance last week gives me some solace for my pick, I wouldn’t put any of my own money on that result. I’m looking forward to Liverpool’s players rising to the occasion and making this another classic derby, regardless of who wins.
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