Liverpool vs Man United - most important derby in years

After Liverpool’s vital victory and 3 points against Swansea last Monday, the upcoming fixture this Sunday against Man United is the most important game between the two in years.

Traditionally, the two have battled it out for trophies in one of the bitterest rivalries English football has ever seen. However in recent times, as much as the matches matter to the fans, there hasn't been much riding on games in terms of the clubs battling it out for league position. Of course, apart from the odd cup game.

For the last few seasons there has been quite a gap between them in the league one way or another, with one of Liverpool or Man United fighting for the title, while the other languishing down in the Europa League spots. This is the first league fixture in years where the teams are side by side in the table. The stakes could not be higher.

For Liverpool, revenge for the 3-0 defeat in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford in December, and the chance to leapfrog United into fourth place while gaining a psychological advantage for the final 8 games. For United, the chance to establish a five point gap between the sides and reasserting their dominance in the derby where Liverpool have fared better in recent times, which includes the memorable double from last season!

It also comes at a time where Liverpool are playing some great football, and I’ve never seen such a solid defensive record. Not conceding in well over 500 minutes of away football in the league, Liverpool are made of sterner stuff than back in December when they last met.

United, on the other hand, have struggled for form recently under Van Gaal, yet somehow still find themselves in the top four. They have attracted much criticism for their playstyle, which led to Van Gaal losing it in a press conference and going Rafa Benitez by getting the 'facts' out on a piece of paper. Was this the first sign that he's losing his cool? I for one hope so.

I, until this weekend, was going into the game feeling extremely confident of a Liverpool victory, and a comprehensive one at that, similar to the reverse fixture but in Liverpool's favour. However United's performance against Tottenham was impressive, showing that maybe they're starting to make their star-studded squad click.

I still remain confident that Liverpool will blow them out of the water but they won't be the only team full of confidence. A win would typify Rodgers' sides’ resurgent form and propel them into the top four.  

With so much on the line, it would be forgiven if both teams felt the pressure in the early stages, but it should, and probably will turn into an enthralling match. It has a winner takes all feel about it, and while it’s too early to say the winner will finish in the top four, but the winners will take huge confidence into the back end of the season.

Let’s not forget that anything can happen in the Premier League between now and the end of the season, with Man City looking shaky recently, there’s been talk they could finish outside the top four. However I think most rational football fans will agree that the final Champions League spot will go to either Liverpool or Man United, providing Tottenham don’t have a late surge.

What do you think? Who will win Sunday’s crunch clash? Who will finish in the top 4?

Liverpool: Form, Top 4 and The Future

Henderson celebrates his stunning goal vs Man City

It was not so long ago that a minority of naive Liverpool fans were calling for Brendan Rodgers’ head. How times have changed. Renewed optimism and the feeling of invincibility has returned to Anfield. An incredible run of form has transformed Liverpool’s season and replenished faded aspirations of a top 4 finish. It would be a massive achievement for the club and would allow Rodgers to buy big again in the summer with the addition of the new TV money from the Premier League. Last summer the squad needed filling out, but now the size of the squad is no longer an issue, he can focus on adding quality which is still lacking in certain positions.

Form

It’s been well documented that Liverpool have not lost a league game since the 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford in December, but not even the most optimistic fan would have predicted a turnaround of this magnitude.

I’ve wrote before about the change in system being key to the upturn in fortunes, but specific players also deserve a mention. Players like Phillippe Coutinho and Mamadou Sakho have been vital and the coming of age of Jordan Henderson in Steven Gerrard’s recent absence.

Coutinho particularly deserves a mention, especially in the last month having scored 3 wonder goals against Bolton, Southampton and Man City respectively. But it’s his general play I’ve been most impressed with; his control, skill and vision are exquisite and it’s no surprise that he’s been selected for the latest Brazil squad. His performance in the 2-1 victory against Man City will live long in the memory, City’s midfield couldn’t get near him, nor Pablo Zabaleta, who I’ve never seen get turned so much since last season against Eden Hazard.

Mamadou Sakho is another player who should take massive credit, his presence in defence has seen Liverpool halve the amount of goals conceded compared to his absence (according to twitter!). The deceiving natured of his ability on the ball is quite comical, he’s almost clumsy but classy at the same time, but he does possess the odd incisive pass from the back leading to a goal scoring opportunity. But it’s his positional play which is most impressive, making a number of clearances and blocks at crucial times while forming a solid partnership with Martin Skrtel and Emre Can in a back 3.

Jordan Henderson’s recent transformation as a player and the return of Daniel Sturridge shouldn’t go unnoticed, although Sturridge has slipped under the radar. This is probably to his benefit as not as much pressure has been put on him, allowing him to ease his way back without the added pressure to perform.

Top 4

There is no doubt about it that Liverpool are right in the mix in the race for the top 4. Only 2 points behind Man Utd and with a game between the two at Anfield on March 22^nd, there is a huge chance of leapfrogging them and qualifying for next seasons Champions League.

The form that Liverpool are in is similar to the form of the tail end of last season where they went on a 11 game winning streak before finally succumbing to Chelsea, which eventually decided the title.

After last season’s disappointment, simply a top 4 finish would suffice this year and with Man Utd’s questionable form there’s a real chance of achieving this aim. The icing on the cake would be winning the FA Cup which is also a real possibility with tomorrow’s winnable quarter final tie against Blackburn. It would be the first silverware of Rodgers’ era.

The Future

IF Liverpool qualify for the Champions League which is by no means a certainty, then I think Rodgers deserves another crack at spending big in the transfer market. I don’t think many will argue that his transfer record is hit and miss, with many signings that just haven’t worked like Iago Aspas and Luis Alberto, both who are now on loan back in Spain.

There have been reports linking the club with a number of players including the likes of Miralem Pjanic, Radja Nainggolan, Alvaro Morata and Danny Ings to add quality to the squad. I think a new centre back is imperative, Dejan Lovren looks less than convincing, Emre Can will move into midfield and Toure is getting on. Someone like Mats Hummels or Rafael Varane would do nicely! Why not go big?

Additionally a new striker should be a position that Liverpool invest in, I wouldn’t mind Danny Ings, a young talented striker who looks a good footballer as well as a good finisher. But someone like Gonzalo Higuain would be perfect, or Edinson Cavani, or Radamel Falcao just to annoy Man Utd fans as they look like passing up the opportunity to sign him.

Whoever we sign I certainly hope they have a bigger and quicker impact than most of the signings Rodgers made last summer, but with the younger ones improving all the time, the future looks bright whoever we sign.

Let me know what you think, who should we sign this summer? Do you think we can get top 4?