Manchester United's form away
from Old Trafford has been of
concern to Sir Alex Ferguson all
season, with their four wins on
the road the fewest of any side
in the top five.
- ESPN UK's Free Weekend
United would almost have the
title in the bag had they turned
just a few of their eight draws,
some of which came after letting
in late goals, into victories. And
after defeats in two of their last
three matches away from home,
to Wolverhampton Wanderers and
Chelsea, another away game at
arch-rivals Liverpool would not
have been at the top of Sir Alex's
wish-list.
But Liverpool themselves have
suffered something of a lull after
a successful run under interim
manager Kenny Dalglish. After
four consecutive wins without
conceding a goal, the last of
which came at Stamford Bridge,
Liverpool have picked up just one
point from six against two
relegation battlers.
First, they were held to a 1-1
draw at home by Wigan Athletic
before being beaten 3-1 by West
Ham United at Upton Park.
Dalglish may publically insist that
he is approaching this game only
concerned with Liverpool's
fortunes, with the Reds currently
sixth - which will only be good
enough for a Europa League spot
should two of the top five make
the FA Cup final. But he could be
forgiven for also wanting to
deliver a severe dent to United's
title charge as they look to move
clear of Liverpool onto 19 English
league championships, especially
giving the long-running rivalry
between himself and Sir Alex
which runs back to his first stint
as Liverpool boss.
The two sides last met on
January 9, just hours after
Dalglish stepped into Roy
Hodgson's shoes, with United
advancing to the next round of
the FA Cup courtesy of a Ryan
Giggs goal while Steven Gerrard
was sent off. In the league game
at Old Trafford in September,
United won 3-2 with Dimitar
Berbatov scoring three goals and
Gerrard two.
Liverpool could involve £35 million
record signing Andrew Carroll for
the first time since his move from
Newcastle United after recovering
from a thigh injury, with a place
on the bench most likely.
Defenders Daniel Agger and Fabio
Aurelio are back in contention
while Raul Meireles should be fit
despite being withdrawn at West
Ham with a knee injury. But
Dalglish is without promising right-
back Martin Kelly, which means
Glen Johnson is likely to switch
back to his natural position.
Man United have problems in
central defence with Nemanja
Vidic suspended and Rio Ferdinand
still injured, so Chris Smalling will
be joined at the back by Wes
Brown who will make only his
third Premier League start of the
season.
Liverpool player to watch: Luis
Suarez. After scoring on his debut
against Stoke City - a goal which
may yet be reclaimed by the
Dubious Goals Panel - Suarez has
been feeling his way into the
English football, starved of
further game time with his new
team-mates by being ineligible for
the club's Europa League
campaign. He has looked lively in
his two starts against Wigan and
West Ham, and could fire himself
into Anfield folklore by downing
United.
Man United player to watch: Wes
Brown. A face so seldom seen at
Old Trafford this season few could
be forgiven for thinking he was
no longer there. But he
announced his return to fitness
by scoring the only goal of the
game against Crawley Town in
the FA Cup two weeks ago. But a
top-level Premier League game is
a different prospect for a player
who will make his first Premier
League start since November 11.
United did not keep a clean sheet
on his other two league starts,
against Wolves and Aston Villa.
Key battle: Raul Meireles v Michael
Carrick. Before being pulled off
just after half-time against West
Ham, Meireles had discovered the
Midas touch in front of goal -
scoring five goals in six games for
Liverpool. With the shackles
thrown off, Meireles has shown a
penchant for breaking into the
box as a goalscoring midfielder.
Michael Carrick, who signed a new
deal on Friday despite not having
the best of seasons, will have to
keep a watchful eye on Meireles'
runs as he looks to ghost in.
Trivia: No player has moved
directly between the two clubs
for 46 years after since Phil
Chisnall transferred from United
to Liverpool for £25,000. Only
nine players have ever made the
direct switch: Tom Chorlton,
Jackie Sheldon, Tom Miller, Fred
Hopkin, Tommy Reid, Ted Savage,
Allenby Chilton, Thomas McNulty
and Chisnall. Only the final two of
those nine moved in the last 73
years.
Stats: This weekend will be Sir
Alex Ferguson's 50th league
meeting with Liverpool. His record
so far read W23 D12 L14. One for
Liverpool, as no team with less
than 42 points after 28 matches
has ever finished in the Premier
League top four. United have won
69% of the Premier League
matches Michael Carrick has
started since his arrival and 74%
without him. Thanks to OptaJoe.
Odds: Liverpool (2.80), Man United
(2.60) and the draw (3.20) are all
on offer at bet365 with a 2-2
draw coming in at 15.00.
Prediction: United have faltered
of late and may be just a point
ahead of Arsenal by the time this
grudge match kicks off. You feel
that Kenny Dalglish will have his
players fired up for this one, and
they may well have improved
enough to be worthy of a scoring
draw.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
at Liverpool
Oct 25, 2009 Liverpool 2-0 Man
Utd (Premier League)
Sep 13, 2008 Liverpool 2-1 Man
Utd (Premier League)
Dec 16, 2007 Liverpool 0-1 Man
Utd (Premier League)
at Manchester United
Jan 09, 2011 Man Utd 1-0
Liverpool (FA Cup)
Sep 19, 2010 Man Utd 3-2
Liverpool (Premier League)
Mar 21, 2010 Man Utd 2-1
Liverpool (Premier League)
OTHER SCORES
5:00 PM - Wolverhampton
Wanderers vs Tottenham Hotspur