The clashes between bitter rivals Manchester United and Liverpool FC have always been billed as the biggest games in English football, even overtaking the importance of each teams respective Derby games.
But just who will come out on top this weekend and who will be the key players for each side? Let's take a look....
Both sets of fans will be hoping for a victory this weekend as both teams go into the game in extremely good form with a hunger to win and better their points, and for one their position, in the Premier League.
A huge factor as to who will come out on top in this game will definitely bee who gets the big decisions from the referee, Howard Webb. Now, over the years Webb has gained large amounts of criticism from Liverpool fans as he seems to give all of the big decisions Manchester United's way when the two teams meet. When this happened a few season back it lead to, the then Liverpool winger Ryan Bable tweeting a mocked up picture of Howard Webb in a Manchester United shit and although the player was fined accordingly it struck a cord with LFC fans and the joke has been around when the two have met since.
Interesting Facts:
Since the 08/09 season, LFC have won 2/9 games away from Anfield in which Howard Webb has officiated in. Since 09/10 they have won 0.
Since the 08/09 season, MUFC have won 100% of the games at Old Trafford (8) that Howard Webb has officiated in.
Note: I am not saying anything about Howard Webb or his refereeing as I believe he is great at his job, I just think that this is merely a weird and strange coincidence what these facts show!
Key Players
You cannot mention key players without talking about in-form Liverpool striker Luis Suarez as no matter what he will always be key for the Merseysiders. Suarez has scored 5 goals in the past 3 games and looks like he will be an extremely tricky player for the Man Utd defence to deal with, with his nutmegs, his fancy footwork and his hunger to win the game for his team, for his team-mates, for his fans ... for his Liverpool.
Liverpool's Steven Gerrard and Stewart Downing are also in-form for the reds and will be looking to build on their recent good performances by getting the chance to take on Utd this weekend. Most importantly, Downing will be hoping to get the chance to show Liverpool fans that he can put in the wonderful performances he has been doing against not only the smaller teams, but the big teams too - and who better to do it against!
Lastly, you have to mention Liverpool's fantastic defence who have been great so far this season and have looked strong throughout the campaign so far and new-boy Daniel Sturridge who will be hoping to build on his emphatic debut against Mansfield last weekend.
For Manchester United, they will be without arguably their best player, Wayne Rooney who is fighting to regain his fitness after injury but that doesn't mean they have nobody to hurt Liverpool.
Robin Van Persie has been nothing short of brilliant for Utd since his signing in the summer. He doesn't always turn up against LFC but as he is the top goalscorer in the Prem (Suarez is only 1 behind him too!), you can put money on him having a good old go at Pepe Reina on Sunday afternoon.
If played, Chicharito is also on good scoring form at the moment and doesn't mind putting them away against Manchester United's biggest rivals.
Key Battles
Luis Suarez v Utd's defence
This will most probably be the battle of the afternoon. Manchester United's defence has looked shaky this season so will they be able to hold it together against the best striker in the Premier League? Will Suarez be brought down resulting in a penalty for LFC or resulting in a booking because Webb sees it as a dive? Sunday will reveal all!
Pepe Reina, Martin Skrtel & Daniel Agger v Robin Van Persie
It will take all 3 of these to make sure that Van Persie is kept quiet and the form all of them are in will prove that this battle will be a highlight of the afternoon.
Steven Gerrard v Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs
If all 3 are played this is sure to be the battle that will show who shows that age doesn't matter when it comes to football and who is the best midfielder. (My bets are on Stevie winning this one).
My Predictions
Score
Manchester United 1-2 Liverpool
I think that Liverpool will win this one and have the edge over their most bitter rivals giving Kopites the bragging rights.
Liverpool Line-Up
Reina - Wisdom, Skrtel, Agger, Johnson - Lucas, Gerrard, Allen - Henderson, Suarez, Downing
Subs: Jones, Carragher, Sterling, Coates, Suso, Shelvey, Sturridge
Only Sunday will tell us who will come out on top at Old Trafford. With Manchester United scoring goals but their defence letting so many in and Liverpool scoring goals but not letting too many in - it will definitely be a classic clash!
You cannot mention key players without talking about in-form Liverpool striker Luis Suarez as no matter what he will always be key for the Merseysiders. Suarez has scored 5 goals in the past 3 games and looks like he will be an extremely tricky player for the Man Utd defence to deal with, with his nutmegs, his fancy footwork and his hunger to win the game for his team, for his team-mates, for his fans ... for his Liverpool.
Liverpool's Steven Gerrard and Stewart Downing are also in-form for the reds and will be looking to build on their recent good performances by getting the chance to take on Utd this weekend. Most importantly, Downing will be hoping to get the chance to show Liverpool fans that he can put in the wonderful performances he has been doing against not only the smaller teams, but the big teams too - and who better to do it against!
Lastly, you have to mention Liverpool's fantastic defence who have been great so far this season and have looked strong throughout the campaign so far and new-boy Daniel Sturridge who will be hoping to build on his emphatic debut against Mansfield last weekend.
For Manchester United, they will be without arguably their best player, Wayne Rooney who is fighting to regain his fitness after injury but that doesn't mean they have nobody to hurt Liverpool.
Robin Van Persie has been nothing short of brilliant for Utd since his signing in the summer. He doesn't always turn up against LFC but as he is the top goalscorer in the Prem (Suarez is only 1 behind him too!), you can put money on him having a good old go at Pepe Reina on Sunday afternoon.
If played, Chicharito is also on good scoring form at the moment and doesn't mind putting them away against Manchester United's biggest rivals.
Key Battles
Luis Suarez v Utd's defence
This will most probably be the battle of the afternoon. Manchester United's defence has looked shaky this season so will they be able to hold it together against the best striker in the Premier League? Will Suarez be brought down resulting in a penalty for LFC or resulting in a booking because Webb sees it as a dive? Sunday will reveal all!
Pepe Reina, Martin Skrtel & Daniel Agger v Robin Van Persie
It will take all 3 of these to make sure that Van Persie is kept quiet and the form all of them are in will prove that this battle will be a highlight of the afternoon.
Steven Gerrard v Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs
If all 3 are played this is sure to be the battle that will show who shows that age doesn't matter when it comes to football and who is the best midfielder. (My bets are on Stevie winning this one).
My Predictions
Score
Manchester United 1-2 Liverpool
I think that Liverpool will win this one and have the edge over their most bitter rivals giving Kopites the bragging rights.
Liverpool Line-Up
Reina - Wisdom, Skrtel, Agger, Johnson - Lucas, Gerrard, Allen - Henderson, Suarez, Downing
Subs: Jones, Carragher, Sterling, Coates, Suso, Shelvey, Sturridge
Only Sunday will tell us who will come out on top at Old Trafford. With Manchester United scoring goals but their defence letting so many in and Liverpool scoring goals but not letting too many in - it will definitely be a classic clash!
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