View the full article along with a whole host of others at Blog LFC, comments and feedback appreciated. After Liverpoolâs defeat of rivals Everton last weekend in a 2-0 victory, the Reds will be looking to get grab a third consecutive league win and defeat their North-West rivals Manchester United as the two English giants line up against each other this Saturday. Liverpool have started the season in mixed form, seemingly startling confidently and high in spirit with wins against Arsenal and Bolton. The Reds were knocked back down to Earth with an unfortunate 1-0 loss against Stoke followed by a 4-0 drubbing against Tottenham, a match in which they received two red cards. Since those two defeats Liverpool have responded with 2-0 and 2-1 victories over Wolves and Everton respectively although the Merseyside derby was a match surrounded in controversy with Evertonâs Jack Rodwell receiving a red card which was later rescinded by the FA. The match did however see Luis Suarez score but more importantly so did Andy Carroll, the big man has found himself increasingly frustrated in front of goal and will be hoping that a goal against Everton will relieve him of pressure from both fans and media and will be hoping to produce the goods come Saturday. United have enjoyed a scintillating start to their campaign as Premier League Champions and see themselves top of the league table despite what may be described as a minor blip in form in recent games. After emphatic victories over Tottenham, Arsenal, Bolton and perhaps Chelsea they dropped their first points of the season at the Britannia, drawing 1-1 with Stoke this was followed by a 3-3 draw against Basel in the Champions League and then a below par performance against Norwich despite winning the game 2-0. The game is likely to see the forward duo of Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez continue up front for the Reds and will be looking key in securing a win against Liverpoolâs rivals. I feel that Dirk Kuyt would be likely to retain his place in the starting line-up despite missing a penalty against Everton with the Dutch man being key in such important games for Liverpool in the past, Dirk Kuyt of course scored a hat-trick albeit fortunately against United in Liverpoolâs last outing. Doubts remain over whether Martin Kelly or Glen Johnson will be fit enough to play with them both being hampered in injuries during recent times. The main question mark of course will be over Steven Gerrard. With the skipper featuring in the second half of the match against Everton he would have been thankful of the international break that has allowed him an extra two weeks of recovery to full fitness. I feel that due to the importance of the match, and the fortunate timing of the international break that Gerrard will start and will be ready to star in a hopefully important role this weekend. Liverpool have won the last three meetings between the two teams when it comes to Anfield and will be hoping for a fourth consecutive victory that would come as a major boost to their top four aspirations this season. With Arsenal seemingly in despair Liverpool will see this as the ideal chance to break back in to the top four and these are exactly the type of games that will be vital especially with other teams like Tottenham Hotspur impressing in recent weeks. What to expect Despite Liverpoolâs two consecutive Premier League victories I think itâs fair to say that they havenât been in the best playing form for both and many fans will be hoping and expecting for an improvement come Saturday in a match that the Reds will be shown no mercy against a clinical United. Liverpool will be needing to start with a fast yet controlled tempo, pressing high up and ensuring that key tackles are being one from the off instead of allowing Manchester United to take control and be first to key possession, dictating the midfield with impressive ball players such as Cleverley and Anderson who will be quick to distribute out wide to key wingers Nani and Ashley Young. This fast, high-pressing and controlling game was something that was missing in the key match against Tottenham Hotspur and they were allowed to control the game from the midfield right from the start. In the past this match has in my opinion, brought out the best of Lucas who has often been key to cutting the supply line to Manchester Unitedâs strikers. For me the style of this game will be hard to predict and much depends on the tactical shape of both sides, if we look at the average play of both sides this season Manchester United will be doing most of the pushing forward early on and trying to link play up top and out wide with extremely versatile players such as Rooney, Welbeck, Young and Nani. Past encounters have however showed that Liverpoolâs midfield has often excelled in such games with Gerrard actually starring in a deeper role alongside Lucas in the last encounter with Meireles, Kuyt and Suarez starring in a versatile and dynamic attack which featured a lot of movement, tearing apart a perhaps vulnerable United defence. Likely Line-Up and Key Battles Reina Kelly, Carragher, Skrtel, Enrique Kuyt â Gerrard â Lucas â Downing Suarez â Carroll I expect Liverpool to approach the game with a standard 4-4-2 formation allowing Carroll and Suarez to both player, whether this will see Liverpool actually end up with a more 4-2-3-1 formation with Suarez coming deeper to create an attacking trio with him, Kuyt and Downing Iâm not too sure. Although unlikely I would prefer to see Carroll on the bench with Charlie Adam start in favour, with him and Lucas sitting deep allowing Gerrard to play of Suarez in a 4-2-3-1 similar to that used with Mascha, Xabi, Gerrard and Torres. For me the key battle for Liverpool will be down either flanks with Nani and Ashley Young always being a constant threat for United. In Jose Enrique Liverpool in my opinion have one of the strongest left backs in the league and heâll be key to stopping either winger in the game. Question marks however remain over the right back spot with Johnson and Kelly perhaps short of fitness and Flanaganâs age and experience. In the ideal world I would like to see Kelly start but being told to stay further back instead of bombing forward in order to stay injury free and also more safe defensively with him showing he has great strength and tackling amongst other defensive attributes, something that Iâm certain will be needed. Prediction Iâm really not sure when it comes to calling this one, if Iâm being pessimistic and more of a neutral Iâd be thinking a narrow United victory but something tells me that once again Liverpool will secure another happy victory over their rivals at Anfield and I can see a narrow victory for our side. 2-1; Suarez and Gerrard
I agree with most of it, there is one thing I do disagree with. Liverpool will not go 4-4-2. Kenny will pack the midfield, he will use a spare-man. If he starts with Carroll it will be Suarez who can win back posession as well as any midfielder. However if he starts with Suarez up top, then it will be Charlie Adam whose corners have pin-point accuracy. Kenny will go for experience in this game, and Steven Gerrard will start, and there will be no place for Jordan Henderson. Charlie Adam will only play if Andy Carroll doesn't. Lucas and Gerrard will sit and patrol in front of the back four and they will attempt to break up the play when Man United advance forward. If will be up to Dirk Kuyt, Stewart Downing, Charlie Adam and Luis Suarez to cause havoc in the Man United back-line. This could be a pulsating battle. However if Liverpool boss the midfield as well as they did in March they will rip through the Manchester United rear-guard. Heres my prediction, same score as in March. Liverpool 3 Manchester United 1.
it's good but i think premature to give likely teams and as a constructive critism I'd like ot see you give utd the same amount of column inches as us. Thier team, thier injuries and even if you frame it as what we are likley to face that'd be good. you've done a bit of that in there but its not standing out as the team you expect or maybe as another section all of it's own. that said (and it is only to be constructive) its very well written and fair play for injecting some real debate into things. I for one agree with your points totally about midfield control and the tempo of game required
MITO. I said that, however the only thing I disagreed with was the use of a 4-4-2 formation. Kenny will use a spare man in midfield for a number of reasons. 1. To protect the back-four. 2. To not fight fire with fire. Ferguson will go 4-4-2. 3. To stick in a spare-man, that spare-man if Andy Carroll plays could be Luis Suarez whom I said in my previous post wins posession back as well as any midfielder and loves to track back, and hustle and bully. 4. I can see Kenny telling Lucas and Gerrard to do exactly what they did in March and sit in front of Liverpools back-four. There won't be a need for them to move.
I'm not sure what ferguson will do but I can say I saw you saying just that even if you said it more forcefully, especially your views of the opponents talents. In the end no matter what formation ferguson comes up with due to his own situation we've got the same job to do and it required uptmost commitment and urgency about the task. it'll be interesting.
There is one other reason why I feel Kenny will pack the midfield. Man Uniteds central midfield has one major flaw, they haven't got one player that can tackle. Neither Carrick or Anderson are known for their tackling. If its Cleverly, Lucas and Gerrard will have too much experience and guile for him and they will dominate him.
My pet theory is kenny will play 4-2-3-1 with gerrard behind suarez here. i think that'll be to pack that midfield as well. My theory is based on thinking kenny has adam down as a first team pick no matter waht might worry me in his game. rooney will drop into midfield as well looking for posession so a 4-4-2 will be dominated... the thing is who has more of the possession, if utd have a lot of the ball then it's how we tackle thats important and the likes of kuyt, suarez and lucas winning the ball back up the pitch becomes vital for us... if we manage to dominate things (not likely at this point in our development) then their ability to close us down and tackle comes into it. For me whether carrick and anderson can tackle is not so important as who has the better fitness. It will actually be interesting to see who can keep going in this case. how fit is fletcher really, how fit is carrick if he comes in. I think anderson has the engine... I also think lucas has the engine but neither adam nor gerrard have the stamina. utd to play 4-3-3, depending on young's fitness or park starting and liveprool to go 4-2-3-1...
MITO. Gerrard won't be expected to use a lot of stanima, as he won't be expected to move, he will sit alongside Lucas in front of the back-four and win posession. As for Charlie Adam, he won't have to do a lot of running, the running will be done for him by the full-backs and Downing and Kuyt and Suarez. Kuyt, Downing and Suarez will alternate positions expect Suarez to drift left, Downing to switch to the right with Kuyt popping up in a central role. Kenny will not expect these three to remain where they started. These are the three that have the license to do what they like.
Not sure whether you missed it but http://www.bloglfc.co.uk is my blog site which I post all my articles/editorials Maybe I should of expanded that although I have a feeling he'll go for a 4-4-2 there's a large chance and I hope that he's goes for a 4-2-3-1 like I mentioned here. "whether this will see Liverpool actually end up with a more 4-2-3-1 formation with Suarez coming deeper to create an attacking trio with him, Kuyt and Downing I’m not too sure. Although unlikely I would prefer to see Carroll on the bench with Charlie Adam start in favour, with him and Lucas sitting deep allowing Gerrard to play of Suarez in a 4-2-3-1 similar to that used with Mascha, Xabi, Gerrard and Torres." The only reason I feel we may see a 4-4-2 is because Dalglish seems to like Carroll and I feel he is stronger with a partner. Thanks for all the other comments to guys, it'll be very interesting to see what Gerrard's role will be, alongside Lucas deeper like what was successful last time or more advanced? I feel some type of midfield trio could be successful, like someone else has pointed out although the likes of Carrick, Cleverley and Anderson all sit deeper this season, none of them are great tacklers.
I believe in the spare-man. I reckon Kenny won't name his starting 11 until he's heard the Man United 11. If Ferguson goes 4-4-2, expect Kenny to switch it to a 4-2-3-1. I've a feeling that Suarez who will look like he's playing up top, will in fact be the spare man in midfield. He as I said wins back posession as well as any midfielder and presses as well as any midfielder.
Cheers mate. As you may have noticed it's not filled with general news and stuff you can get anywhere, I like to use it as a place where I can use my writing to display my opinions and write editorials/articles on interesting topics that hopefully make for good reading!
Yes hopefully, having effectively four players who were roaming all across midfield in Maxi, Suarez, Meireles and Kuyt some of the movement and range of passing completely cut open the defensive and meant that Gerrard could sit back and dictate from deep.
It was a well written blog and well done on that score. The only thing you and I disagreed on was the formation, but with a bit of tweaking both of us where more or less thinking the same thing. It was however a well written and well thought out blog.
Yeh pretty much, from what I've seen so far from your comments on my stuff you make some great points and give a good debate Sometimes I think I need to expand on my points a little bit more, although I know what I'm thinking I'll have to translate it better in to written form for others
No you don't understand. There was nothing wrong with what you had written. I just debated it slightly and after all this forum is all about debate. It was a difference on opinion. However you may be right and I could be wrong. Kenny is known generally as a 4-4-2 manager and may as you said go 4-4-2. However the reason I felt that he may not, is because he may want to protect the back four and use a formation similar to the one that was successful in March. There will be different personel, as Downing and Enrique didn't play in March, neither did Charlie Adam, but its Kennys decision on whether he plays in this one. So overall. It was a well written blog.
