MAN UTD vs LIVERPOOL MATCH PREVIEW Sunday 16 March 2014 | Old Trafford | Kick-off 14:30 As in recent seasons, the fixture does not pit two title rivals against one another, although this time around it is United who have struggled to keep pace at the top rather than their Merseyside visitors. With United in sixth and Liverpool second Moyes admitted that it could be argued the home side will not be the favourites at Old Trafford this weekend. Brendan Rodgers charges have taken 23 points from a possible 27 since the turn of the year and are in the title reckoning thanks, in part, to the strike duo of Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez, who have helped Liverpool net a leading 73 league goals this season. While Liverpool have not won at Old Trafford in their last six attempts in all competitions, Moyes acknowledged on Friday that United could have their work cut out, even on home turf. Its the biggest game in the Premier League, he said. “There has been great history between the two clubs over a long period. [Winning on Sunday] would be a big boost. It would be an important three points. Their league position suggests theyre ahead of us and they possibly do come here as favourites. While Liverpool require a win to maintain title momentum, three points for the champions would keep their faint hopes of UEFA Champions League football alive. The UEFA Europa League looks a more realistic proposition, although even that is not a guarantee in a when United have been beaten eight times in the top flight. They sit five points behind fifth-place Spurs, having played a game fewer, with Sundays fixture the first of five in two weeks for Moyes men. On Wednesday, they will seek to turn around a two-goal first-leg deficit against Olympiacos in the UEFA Champions League last 16 before facing West Ham and Aston Villa either side of a mouthwatering clash with local rivals Manchester City the following Tuesday. Rodgers will hope Sturridge can add to his 18 Barclays Premier League goals and put a further dent in Uniteds season, but the England forward feels the result at Old Trafford is not make or break for Liverpool’s title hopes. We have got big games regardless of the Manchester United result, of course we want to do as well as we can in every single game and get maximum points if we can but it is important we keep playing the football we do, he told the clubs official website. I dont think winning at the weekend is going to change anything in regards to the title race. Moyes was handed a boost in midweek with Nanis return to training from a hamstring injury while Rafael Da Silva (ankle), Javier Hernandez (knee) and Jonny Evans (calf) could all return for Sundays clash. Rodgers too has been boosted after Lucas Leiva (knee) and Mamadou Sakho (tendon tear) returned to contention following spells on the sidelines. Manchester United (from): Amos, De Gea, Lindegaard, Buttner, Evans, Evra, Ferdinand, Jones, Rafael, Smalling, Varela, Vidic, Carrick, Cleverley, Fellaini, Fletcher, Giggs, Januzaj, Kagawa, Mata, Nani, Valencia, Young, Hernandez, Rooney, Van Persie, Welbeck. Liverpool (from): Jones, Mignolet, Agger, Cissokho, Coates, Flanagan, Johnson, Kelly, Sakho, Skrtel, Toure, Alberto, Allen, Gerrard, Henderson, Lucas, Aspas, Coutinho, Moses, Sterling, Sturridge, Suarez. Match Appointments Referees: Mark Clattenburg. Assistants: S Beck, G Beswick. Fourth Official: L Probert. Man Utd Manager: David Moyes Liverpool Manager: Brendan Rodgers
Posted on: Sun, 16 Mar 2014 06:51:37 +0000
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