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?
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