Dec 14
A Simple Guide To Kicking Liverpool Ass
Let’s get down to business, shall we?
It’s us against the 5-times, 5-times squad on Sunday, and there’s been plenty of banter from both sides. Scott reckons that beating Liverpool is a bigger deal than slapping Arsenal around – I disagree but perhaps that’s because of our different histories and geographical locations.
Still, whether Liverpool are worthy opponents or not, they still have to be beaten (only an idiot – perhaps the same idiot who claimed the same thing last season (Reina I’m talking to you) – would suggest that the 3 points are in the bag). So how can Manchester United beat Liverpool, at Anfield, on Sunday?
Cover Evra
Evra will leave space behind him that some smart Liverpool players might be able to exploit. Getting Vidic / Rio to cover this is always a dangerous proposition (although they did it admirably well the whole of last season), so perhaps one of Hargo / Anderson / Carrick – depending on which two out of three start – could sit deep and cover such situations.
Nani and Ronaldo playing wide
Not wide as in on the wings but wide as in hugging the touchline and stretching the Liverpool defence. Players like Rooney, Tevez and Anderson love a bit of space to work in and if the likes of Nani and Ronnie can alternate their cut-ins with regular probings down Liverpool’s sides then we’ll see United players with more space and time on the ball.
Push Rooney forward
I don’t think the Liverpool defence can deal with Rooney’s pace, power or technique – Tevez is great but his finishing isn’t as good as Rooney’s (at least not this season) and for that we need Rooney constantly knocking on Reina’s door while Tevez supports and pulls at least one Liverpool player away with him.
Your thoughts
What do you guys think – how can we beat Liverpool on Sunday?
Related items from Red Rants:
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- The Guardian’s 09/10 Season Package
- Why Heinze Won’t Go to Liverpool
- Kits
- Manchester United poker tournament – win a signed shirt, free tickets and more
Tags: Game Preview
December 14th, 2007 at 11:51
You said all that needs to be said….I’d just like to add keeping Torres quiet…
December 14th, 2007 at 12:02
first off it wont be nani starting i’m sure of that. SAF will play giggs so i’m guessing here’s how we’ll line up.
there will be the regular back 4 i.e rio,vida,brown and evra. In midfield we’ll have anderson and hargreaves (provided he’s fit) with giggs in an advanced infield role. ronaldo will be on the right but he’ll have a licence to roam the pitch. Meanwhile tevez and rooney will keep on alternating the center forward and left sided player’s roles.
i honestly dont think that Sir Alex will go for the cusomary 4-4-2
he’ll probably go for something like 4-2-3-1. which is ok by me but could invite liverpool to attack us and absorbing pressure is just not our game.
on the bench sir alex will have carrick,saha and nani to introduce if he needs to change the game so we dont have an issue in that department.
the main battles on sunday in my opinion will be rooney v carragher and hargo v gerrard (this one in particular is vital).
if hargo manages to subdue gerrard then there is no way in hell those scouser bastards are going to beat us.
i dont think that torres will be a massive factor in this match up, because i think that vidic will be all over him like a rottweiler and with rio there to clean he wont be too much of a worry.
if i were rafa i would play crouch against us, because he might trouble us in defense during setplays but i really dont think he trusts the guy..
my prediction for sunday- 0-1 to us courtesy of a..wait for it….anderson strike. sweet place to score your opening united goal aint it.
December 14th, 2007 at 12:48
hmmm…on paper Utd are the better team but it’s an away
game at Liverpool so anything could happen.
I hope we attack them. If we lose attacking so be it..but
what I do not wan tis one those games where we are so
“toothless” upfront, harldy create anything then they nick a
winner near the end. “W.H.U., Southend, Portsmouth” to name
but a few last year.
I do feel with Rooney/Ronaldo/Tevez attacking we could
easily score two and i do not think they will score more
than 1 possibly 2. So attack them open the game up and let
our superior attacking play be the winning factor.
Good luck…
December 14th, 2007 at 13:17
Ahmed, you are obsessed with Evra. Why do you feel someone has to cover for him? He did not leave space behind him in the Arsenal game, on the contrary, he was solid at the back and threatening when going forward. We have the best left-back in the world yet you talk about him as if he was a young, inexperienced Roberto Carlos…
December 14th, 2007 at 13:32
First thing we have to do his get hargreaves fit.he is the most important player in our team for sunday.if he can get hold of the midfield our chances impove greatly last season liverpool won the midfield battle. We cant afford a repeat.secondly is we have to cut out torres.every game he plays well in,he has loads of space and i mean LOADS!we cant afford to give him space.there must be no one-on-one situations especially with vidic.evra needs to defend first in this game.i feel tevez also could help by dropping off into the middle and help win the ball back.and rooney needs to up his game.he must take the chances that come his way.i expect a big game from anderson.i hope he runs the show in the middle with hargreaves(praying his fit!)and makes gerrard look like the **** that he is.RR would you honestly include nani in this game?
December 14th, 2007 at 13:34
Yes!yes!yes!hargreaves is fit!fuck yea!
December 14th, 2007 at 14:13
Well said mates.
But for me, the main criteria for success is Anderson having a blinder in midfield. All the lad needs to do is hve the game he had against Arshole, and a little more effort put on that.
U don’t have to stop Gerard, Arshole didn’t have that as their game plan. Fabregas (who was non-existent against united) just had a wonderful game, this prompted Gerard to think more of defending, than attacking.
So if ANDERSON could make Liverfool think more of defending, then that fucking wanker (gerard) would not think of coming foward, cos he would have more of defending to do, when that happens, u do not need to worry bout them wankers (liverfool) palying against us.
What do u mates think about it?
December 14th, 2007 at 15:10
Well if u guys get the red view email just like me then u know it’ll be the one on one that’ll be imp
rooney v/s carragher
hargo v/s gerrard
and rio v/s torres if he starts
and i just wanna see anderson score now and that too in style and i guess he could not get a bigger occasion than this soon
hopefully we will win but to be safe i predict it’ll be a tough game and a draw (which i personally hate)
late oshea kick i’ll fancy that
u never know
December 14th, 2007 at 15:58
Play Rooney and Saha, that’s right, I said it. Carragher is a very solid defender as long as you’re in front of him. He has very little pace, ditto whoever the replacement is, as Agger isn’t fit. Rooney is fast, Saha is faster. Sit in our half with both Carrick and Hargreaves securign the back line, and then try to break over the top/through gaps into pool’s defence. It sucks, but United don’t have hte kind of midfield that dominates a game ala Arsenal or indeed Liverpool. We’re not patient, but that’s why we’re so much fun. Liverpool will boss posession, our job is, like we did so well against Arsenal, to soak up the pressure and then break at pace.
I’m worried about Kewell being fit. Every game I’ve seen him play he’s been very, very dangerous, and will supply Torres. I think Rio can handle him, but I don’t think that Brown can handle Kewell. As Grognard pointed out in the Roma thread, the other risk is that like him or hate him, you don’t give Stevie G space 30 yards out, or he will make you pay. If I see Carrick sitting off him, letting him shoot, I swear to God I’ll jog up to OT and beat him with his boots.
My prediction: we lose 1-0 despite Ronaldo having two clear penalties after being mugged by charagher, but both of last weekds decisions playing on the refs mind.
I’d settle for a draw.
December 14th, 2007 at 16:01
Oh shit! sorry ahmed bilal. i didnt realise who posted the article.my bad.im used to red ranter posting these previews.
December 14th, 2007 at 17:03
Personally I’d be thrilled if we win. I just don’t want Ronaldo to dive so that the ‘Pool fans use that as an excuse if we win. I think it depends on ‘Pool’s MF selection. If Pennant plays wide right Evra will have a lot of space to run into and he will be up against a far weaker opponent than if Stevie played there. I am hoping that Mascherano gets struck down in training or has a stinker because I just have this feeling that he could prevent Anderson having any effect on this game. Overall though I don’t think that we have much to fear from a back 4 of Finnan- Carragher-Hyypia-Riise/Arbeloa and if we attack them we will definately get chances.
December 14th, 2007 at 17:39
im sorry taehr but it has to be said, why are you obsessed with hargreaves, i remember in the summer when we bought him and started playing all your posts were about his injurys in the past, any time he’s not in match your the first to say, Hargreaves injured again, this isnt a swipe at you im just wondering why you care about him so much.
December 14th, 2007 at 18:06
Who’s the better option….Anderson or Carrick in midfield?
December 14th, 2007 at 18:18
How about outscoring the opposition?
Seriously though, United need to do the following;
1. Take the game to Liverpool. Don’t sit back and wait for a break like last year.
2. Be physical with Torres. Rough him up a bit. Make him feel the pressure.
3. Van Der Sar has to be on his game. He cannot afford to let in a long distance howler.
4. The central midfielders have to track back and protect the area between the posts and outside the box. This is prime Gerrard territory for one of his long range specials.
5. We need Hargo back.
6. We won’t get too many chances so Rooney and Tevez have to be sharper than usual and make one or two of their opportunities count.
7. Don’t give Gerrard room to pass or shoot.
8. If Evra is a liability due to moving forward, then keep him back more so nobody gets behind him.
9. Fergie should have no problem out managing Rafa the Rotator.
10. A little old fashioned luck like last year will be greatly appreciated.
11. Ronaldo has to show up for a big game and really make a difference.
12. Whether it is Anderson or Carrick, they must be aggressive and attempt log penetrating passes that might split Liverpool open.
13. Don’t be too conservative. Teams lose in Liverpool because they respect them far too much. Play like Arsenal did. ATTACK!
14. Do not defend using that god awful zone defense that allows the opposition room to move freely into our half and that allows wide players more freedom. Press from the start and force turnovers.
December 14th, 2007 at 18:22
Dan .its just that united havent had a midfielder like hargreaves for quite a while.i would say roy keane probably was the last and he lost most of his energy in 2003.since then we have had to deal with midfielders like djemba djemba,oshea,fletcher,kleberson,giggs(he did ok) and i remember richardson playing there a few times.in hargreaves we have a real midfielder not some makeshift type one.i know hes injury prone and i dont like the fact that he is and thats why i get angry.hes different to any of our other midfielders.he was bought for these type of games.to mark someone out of the game and close down space.because he is really quick and if you notice he doesnt tackle much,he just puts himself between the player and the ball.if you watched the game at anfield last year,you wouldve noticed how we were outplayed in the middle.im sure we dont want a repeat of that and i feel hargo is key to us beating pool.
December 14th, 2007 at 18:32
Grognard.your point 6 is vital.rooney and tevez HAVE to take their chances.their is no point huffing and puffing around, chasing defenders and midfielders and then when presented with a CLEAR CUT chance put it wide and/or over.rooney and tevez are very wasteful. liverpool congest games alot.i think gerrard and masherano will be their partnership but news is that alonso is back.if he starts that would mean they would play 3 in midfield.its hard to get chances against a team like this.tevez and rooney need to be clinical
December 14th, 2007 at 18:43
Rafa will be far too scared to lose this one and will set out to nullify the threat of United. I don’t think we’ve lost a game this season when Rooney Tevez and Ronaldo have played together, and we’ve won most of those, and Rafa will be very wary of this. He will also have noted how we nullfied Arsenal and created plenty of chances of our own at the Emirates.
We’re set up ideally for this after having the luxury of resting players mid-week. We’ve got more or less a fully fit squad, and can have no excuses if we lose this one. Torres should be relatively easy to keep quiet I think. Bar his one goal against Chelsea (due to awful Ben Haim defending) Torres has only shone against terrible defences. We are an accomplished defending team this year and we can keep him quiet.
We’ll need a big game from Anderson and Hargreaves in midfield but they should be able to stand up to the challenge. Ronaldo will benefit from Finnan being side-lined and should be bale to expose the wings a little and cut in to cause problems. Up front, it think we’ll cause alot of problems for them. Hyppia and Carragher are an average pairing in terms of pace and I really think Tevez and Rooney will be able to run them ragged.
If you hadn’t guessed already I’m very confident and I’ll be very disappointed if we don’t come away with the 3 points. Liverpool are a nothing club and Rafa has only managed one goal against us. We can have no excuses if we don’t beat them. Anfield should be a routine win.
December 14th, 2007 at 18:59
Red addict you seem very confident,i wish i could be the same.and your right we havent lost a game with rooney and ronaldo.at city and bolton they were both out.lets hope their arent any last minute training or warm up injuries to anyone.
December 14th, 2007 at 19:05
kl.
December 14th, 2007 at 20:27
Beachryan:”It sucks, but United don’t have hte kind of midfield that dominates a game ala Arsenal or indeed Liverpool.”
When Porto got beat 4-0 by Liverpool just last tuesday the possesion was something like 55%-45% to Porto, and it was only about 50%-50% at the end, liverpool don’t dominate games, and its clear to everyone that we are the better team, in defense,attack and midfield, so I can see only a few reasons behing any pessimism about this match, but performance wise we’ve been coasting through the last few games and they’ll definitely be putting in the extra effort on Sunday so I’m pretty confident about this.
December 14th, 2007 at 20:50
Hey guys!
Really hope United win on Sunday. I must agree that the most important players for this match will be hargo, and Rooney.
I was wondering if any of you guys had heard of the burglary story in LIverpool. Well in any case 7 liverpool players have already been burglared. Personally I think Rafa has an agreementwith the burglars so that when the replacements are playing the burglars have time to rob them! Typical scousers! I just pissed myself when i heard about this!
December 14th, 2007 at 22:13
My prediction
2-0 to United
December 14th, 2007 at 22:16
@Conor – dude, it was Marseille, not Porto.
Well, here’s a simple guide too -
1. Do not let in messy goals like how we did against Arsenal.
2. Hargo should have an outstanding game and keep StevieG quiet. (duh)
3. Rooney and Tevez should take their chances. I don’t think both teams will get more than five chances each.
My prediction -> We win 2-1, with Rooney scoring both. Torres scores for them.
December 14th, 2007 at 23:27
Torres needs to be roughened up a bit, and Gerrard just needs to be under pressure, when he has the ball. Gerrard is an average player when not given time. If you give him time, his powerful style will be very dangerous. Torres’ biggest weakness is not being to good at little space. He’s not as quick on his feet as Tevez or Ronaldo, but if you leave him with space and time to turn and run on you, he’s very dangerous. Make sure he doesn’t turn on you, and he won’t make to much trouble. The rest of their team is shite, and we need to catch them off balance. WHen they bring too many men forward, we’ll stick it to them and plant one in behind Reina.
Hyypia’s lack of pace should be exploited. Get the ball on the ground and run around the big and old finn, and he’ll be in dire straits. I can’t wait to see Tevez run around him in circles.
December 15th, 2007 at 0:28
Torres is dangerous, he can work in little space and gerrard is more than an average player. He is the man that spurs that Liverpool side on, he is one that makes things happen. I reckon Liverpool 2-1 United. Torres (1), gerrard (1), tevez (1)
December 15th, 2007 at 1:49
Hiya guys.
Liverpool’s biggest threat this Sunday will definitely be Torres. This is the guy we need to be watching if we’re to stand a chance of winning. I’ve sen him play three or four times this season and in each game he’s been immense. The reason Liverpool seem to be doing better this season is soley based on his presence in the team. Without him there’s not as much of an attacking threat. Tomas, you say his only weakness is not being good with little space to move in, but did you not see his goal against Marseille on Tuesay. I think that proves othherwise. Having said that, if there’s anyone who’s good enough to keep him quiet, it’s Vidic. It will also be important we see a good performance from Hargo in the center, as it will be vital to cut that Scouse twat Gerrard out of the game since he’s another player that could hurt us. But on paper, I think we have the better team. Ronaldo’s playing well (as ever), the Rooney/Tevez partnership is blossoming, and Andersson is progressing well. The key for us will be to hit Liverpool fast on the break, as teams find it too hard to cope with our speed. That will be the best way to score against them.
This will be a tough game and these scorlines are always hard to predict. I’m a realist, and I think a 1-1 draw would be the result I’d go for. Saying that though, there’s no reason at all why we can’t win this (as we’ve proved time and time again before).
December 15th, 2007 at 5:35
Conor; Sorry to correct you but Liverpool beat Marseilles, not Porto. Secondly, time of possession is a very misleading statistic. It’s not how much time you have the ball, it’s what you do with it. Liverpool was playing a counter attacking style which naturally doesn’t allow for a lot of possession. Still they were leaps and bounds above Marseilles in superiority.
December 15th, 2007 at 11:19
i dont think that hargo will be the deciding factor in the mildfield war with gerrard because am of the feelingbthat we will have andersonn dictatingf the pace(the scholesy way) with hargo providing the cover)
just hope of some fluke defending from the cops to allow more room for carlito, ro and ronny to operate in.
scores ManU 2: pool 1
December 15th, 2007 at 11:55
Yeah sorry about that. But I was just pointed out the fact that if Liverpool can’t keep possession against Marseille, then we should be able to keep the ball off them for a long while, and as long as Gerrard and Torres are well marked then we’re fine, and our best way to score goals against them would be balls slipped through to Rooney, as none of their defnders are fast enough, and hope he has his shooting boots on, but he’s always good against the scousers.
December 15th, 2007 at 12:53
1.United will have to play this team: sar-pique,rio,vida,evra-Ronnie,anderson,hargo,giggs-Tevez,Rooney. I am picking pique over brown because if kewell plays we will need speed. Gerard is faster than wes so that could be important. 2. Anderson will have to play fast, brilliant trough-passes over carragher and Hyppia so Tevez and rooney get behind them and crush them with speed. 3. Ronaldo and giggs will have to play good(low) crosses into the box, and ronaldo will have to run away from riise. 4. Vidic will have to mark crouch and Rio gotta be watching every step that Torres does. 5. Hargreaves need to mark Gerrard and give him a hard tackle early in the game.
Prediction: 4-2 to United. Ronaldo, Rooney(2) and Anderson to score. Torres and Gerrard to score for the shitbags. 3-1 at half time. COME ON U REDS!
December 15th, 2007 at 14:38
RedDevil Kewell is not fast, he and wes are fairly close o speed, and Pique is still prone to making mistakes, and while im on the topic of speed, if you haven’t noticed Carlos is a brilliant dribbler but he isn’t fast, he and Carragher would be a close match regarding speed also, Rooney and Ronaldo would be the ones making the runs behind the defence with Anderson and probably Giggs playing them through, Crouch will not play either. The main thing we need to do is put on a good performance, if we play like we did say against Arsenal then we will win.
December 15th, 2007 at 16:59
Conor. I though kewell was fast, but u surely know best. But I still think crouch will play because Benitez want to attack. I will be delighted if crouch does not play, because i think Kuyt has been s**t and Voronin cant put his feet right, so I think Crouch and Torres is the best striker partnerhip that ‘pool has. Tevez is a brilliant dribbler, but he is also very fast. He is almost as fast as rooney and definetly faster than Hyppia and Carragher. The whole team will have to play like they did against “Arse”nal, but i would like Ronaldo to be a little bit better.
If you all think (or hope) Anderson will score tomorrow, make this mark: “A!:-)
December 16th, 2007 at 2:32
Van Der Sar
Wes – Vidic – Ferd – Simpson/Pique/O’Shea
Ronaldo – Anderson – Harg – Evra
Tevez – Rooney
We’ve seen this before. Giggs will come on in the second half … we will be up 2-0 … Evra will move to right back. Evra and Harg can both attack and defend. Evra is a handful when he attacks and I am not convince about Riise, Hyypia and Finnan.
December 16th, 2007 at 16:34
anyone notice that manchester united players are more skillful and disciplined than liverpool players?
December 16th, 2007 at 17:57
Not only that, they also have more character.