Who: Man United
When: Monday 22nd August, 20:00 BST, 14:00 CST..
Where: Old Trafford, Manchester.
Liverpool are off to Manchester Monday evening for matchday 3 of the campaign where they face perennial rivals United.
Man United v Liverpool:
There could be delays again here; as United fans have been hinting all week about protests outside the stadium, to show their displeasure with the club its owners and managers in failing to field a competitive squad these past several years. There were actually calls this week from some to get Ole Gunnar back at the wheel.
The dreaded injury monster once again looms large over this tie for the reds as of the time of this writing.. Particularly worrisome is the lack of quality replacements in the forward line, where Salah and the electric Diaz are our only healthy forward attacking players. We could see Salah slotted centrally with Diaz out wide left and the young Harvey Elliott enlisted to fill Mo's normal right side winger role.
This would make space in midfield for the likes of Carvalho to come in and make his starting debut for the club. It is time to see him work his magic and to show everyone why he was so highly rated on his move over from Fulham this past summer. This is a youthful solution and it would give these youngsters an opportunity to get some precious experience in a bigtime football match.
United ties are always a serious affair regardless where they are in the table or how the season has unfolded thus far. Indeed, quite often this is the first fixtures fans look for when schedules come out in early August. Mo should play a massive role in this one as he has in the last couple of encounters..Though he has to stop wasting his chances; I see him with a brace here which should be good enough.
Another goal from Diaz or Millie, Trent is not out of the question. United have shipped 6 already against the likes of Brighton and Brentford. Given that a quick counter by United is entirely possible. Liverpool will not want to go a goal behind again as they have done in both matches this campaign.
We cannot underestimate this tie or the skill in the squad Ten Hag has at his disposal. This is just the sort of match that could sink the Reds if they do not play good solid football. Remember United will want to play better than last season's 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Klopp and company.
Ten Hag is likely to sit back and let the game come to him and his squad as long as they can keep the Reds from finding the back of the net. They may attempt to play out of the back.. Considering Klopp's injury woes. It depends upon how likely Jurgen will be to run the forward line pressure and high press through the midfield. I look for our lads to show midfield wide traps in an attempt to steal a pass or nick the ball off of United's wide players.
Expect a tussle and a dogfight for the points in this one too.
Liverpool Team News:
Bobby is back.. Hendo is a late fitness test.. Thiago, Konate, Matip, Jota, Kelleher are all out with injury. Our new right back Ramsay is still sidelined too.. Also adding insult to injury here Darwin's sending off with a red card is slated to miss 3 matches. We can expect a good few weeks yet until things settle down and players start to return..
United Set Up:
United sitting last in the table will be out for blood in this one, and will want to get all 3 points against our Liverpool side. Attempts by the crafty Dutchman to gel the squad around him have not been too successful to this point.. Confidence in the side is low and he has yet to take back the dressing room from Ronaldo, who is now a wantaway.. Having shopped out all the major sides in European football seeking a spot to play in CL this term.
United will be keen on attempting over the top balls deep after how CP used this tactic to great effect in the first half. We can expect to see this from every team we face until we prove we can stop these quick over the top counters.
Liverpool Team Sheet:
Wow, just wow…A hard rock and a wall due to chronic injury this term makes this selection anybody's guess. You can be sure Klopp and the staff will have spent the week figuring out ways to deal with this crisis in early season injury. Even facing the hapless United will be a challenge..
But we know Alisson with be between the posts.. Robbo and Arnold will be in their usual fullback positions.. Unless the gaffer (he is a sly one) is willing to put Milner in that back line and shift Arnold to midfield. Virg will line up alongside either Joe or Nat.. Fabs and Milner along with Carvalho is the likely solution to midfield with Diaz Mo and Elliott across the front line. An interesting dilemma for Jurgen what with Darwin disqualified.
Prediction:
I predict a 1-3 to the reds..
Liverpool can ease to victory here if they bring their shooting boots. So keep calm Reds fans lets see how Jurgen decides to navigate a tricky and treacherous tie, time the football gods smiled down on us again. Win lose or draw we will go again regardless. So get behind our lads, stand and shout our loyal songs to fill the air over Old Trafford with a sea of Liverpool support!! Aye!!
Up these mighty Reds!!We are comin on!!!Ya gotta believe!!
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