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Liverpool v Man Utd - Sunday 16th December

  • 09-12-2007 07:50PM
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,430 ✭✭✭


    Probably the biggest match of the season regardless of league position for both teams, might as well get the ball rolling after a weekend of change in the league.

    Liverpool lose their excellent unbeaten record to unfancied opposition, less than 24 hours later Arsenal do the same to an even more unfancied team. Boro supporters undoubtedley asking themselves today "Why the fcuk don't we apply ourselves like that every game?".

    Anyway back on topic. Regardless of what happens in the CL this week this match could make Liverpools assault on the title that bit tougher if they lose on Sunday. McManaman said on Setanta last night that their season was over if they lost it :eek:

    Liverpool have been in pretty good form it has to be said (Apart from yesterday :p) Rafa's pick n mix team selection is probably the worst part of their campaign to date, other than that you can't knock their league position or consistency.

    Utd were non-existent in their last away day at Bolton. They have since completed two 'routine' home wins against struggling teams, without really setting the world on fire. Rooney is back and has been unlucky not to score, can Rio and Vidic handle Torres (assuming Rafa picks him lol). Can they step up to the plate for a big win?


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Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,193 ✭✭✭pd101


    I have a feeling United will win. They have more match winners in good form at the minute copared to Liverpool. Also they have an advantage considering their respective situations in the CL.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,096 ✭✭✭An Citeog


    Then again, it is on in Anfield. A lot will depend on whether or not Hargreaves is fit. These were the kinds of games he was brought in for. Apart from Torres, Liverpool's obvious strength is the the centre of midfield. I think it'd be a big ask for Carrick and Anderson, but with Hargreaves and Anderson I'd be quietly optimistic.

    No need to say anything about the defence and our quality in attack speaks for itself. Hopefully Ronaldo has another quiet game like he did against Arsenal! :p


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,228 ✭✭✭Chardee MacDennis


    i have a feeling if Liverpool can get a good result against Marseille we can be spurred on to win but a draw wouldnt surprise me, but if we go out of the CL i think we will definitely win as the league is all thats left, the players will be amazingly geared up for it and Rafa may treat it like a cup final.

    or am i just being optimisitic!?!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,488 ✭✭✭dc69


    Sizzler wrote: »
    McManaman said on Setanta last night that their season was over if they lost it :eek:

    i dont think it would be over but it wouldnt do it any favours,you would expect a liverpool win at home,but a draw wouldnt surprise me.united i dont think are on fire,like liverpool had been until reading,they got beaten by bolton and conceding to derby,you would have to think torres will score if he plays.

    liverpool need agger,i think he is back but im not sure.imo he is better than hypia in every sence not just speed.ronaldo and hypia is not a good situation for liverpool

    do any of you united fans think it was scabby of ronaldo not to give tevez the penalty to complete his hat trick?.i mean he dived for it anyway lol


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 10,259 ✭✭✭✭Melion


    I wont talk about any result in ths game til after the Marseille match. Im hoping we get knocked out so Rafa finally see's what we all want, we dont care about the champions league, at least not until we can make a decent go at winning the title.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,951 ✭✭✭DSB


    Call_me_al wrote: »
    if we go out of the CL i think we will definitely win as the league is all thats left

    But they really aren't as good as the other teams in the title race. It should help them alright but I don't think it will be enough to get too near to the top spot.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,488 ✭✭✭dc69


    Melion wrote: »
    I wont talk about any result in ths game til after the Marseille match. Im hoping we get knocked out so Rafa finally see's what we all want, we dont care about the champions league, at least not until we can make a decent go at winning the title.


    even if that happened we would never hear the end of it,i can imagine it ,they tossed the cl becuase they couldnt compete with both


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,097 ✭✭✭✭Tusky


    Melion wrote: »
    I wont talk about any result in ths game til after the Marseille match. Im hoping we get knocked out so Rafa finally see's what we all want, we dont care about the champions league, at least not until we can make a decent go at winning the title.

    Speak for yourself. I care about the champions league and I'm sure the players do too. I don't think it was resting players for the champions league that lost the game against Reading. It was a combination of a new formation/system that didn't work, lots of players having a bad game, Reading having a good game and a few unlucky decisions.

    It was hardly a second string side that played against Reading. Mascherano, Gerrard, Carragher, Torres, Crouch...

    On the utd game, cant wait. Its a must win and I'm sure Rafa knows this. Hopefully the game during the week can be won early on so we can bring off the likes of Gerrard & Torres to keep them fresh.
    Call_me_al wrote: »
    but if we go out of the CL i think we will definitely win as the league is all thats left, t

    Oh ? And here was I thinking we were still in all four competitions.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 10,259 ✭✭✭✭Melion


    Tusky wrote: »
    Speak for yourself. I care about the champions league and I'm sure the players do too. I don't think it was resting players for the champions league that lost the game against Reading. It was a combination of a new formation/system that didn't work, lots of players having a bad game, Reading having a good game and a few unlucky decisions.

    It was hardly a second string side that played against Reading. Mascherano, Gerrard, Carragher, Torres, Crouch...

    On the utd game, cant wait. Its a must win and I'm sure Rafa knows this. Hopefully the game during the week can be won early on so we can bring off the likes of Gerrard & Torres to keep them fresh.

    It wasnt a new formation or system, it was the same one he used against Newcastle and we hockeyed them last weekend.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,097 ✭✭✭✭Tusky


    Melion wrote: »
    It wasnt a new formation or system, it was the same one he used against Newcastle and we hockeyed them last weekend.

    We have never played with three out and out strikers and no wingers. Crouch was almost playing left wing!

    Game against Newcastle (from memory)

    Torres

    Kewell
    Kuyt

    Gerrard

    Lucas--Sissoko

    Game against Reading.

    Crouch----Torres
    Voronin

    Gerrard

    Mascherano--Sissoko

    There was nobody coming deep for the ball (unusual for us). Crouch & Voronin both looked like headless chickens and Torres was often up on his own. They might look similar on paper but they were two different systems in my opinion.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 8,176 ✭✭✭Unearthly


    Draw written all over it.

    Unless John O'Shea plays, bycicle kick 40 yards out 1-0 Man Utd


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,228 ✭✭✭Chardee MacDennis


    Tusky wrote: »
    Oh ? And here was I thinking we were still in all four competitions.

    you know what i mean!

    i dont care about domestic cups this year, if we dont finish top 3 and within touching distance of the winners no amount of domestic cups would make this season a good season. would you not agree?

    or would you prefer 4th place, knocked out of cl with the worthy and the FA cups?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,894 ✭✭✭Nunu


    Melion wrote: »
    I wont talk about any result in ths game til after the Marseille match. Im hoping we get knocked out so Rafa finally see's what we all want, we dont care about the champions league, at least not until we can make a decent go at winning the title.

    As a supporter I can never understand this kind of thinking from other fans no matter what the logic behind it:confused:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 8,176 ✭✭✭Unearthly


    It's a very bizarre attitude to have alright, if Chelsea, Arsenal and Man Utd can manage to compete in both, why can't Liverpool?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,951 ✭✭✭DSB


    It isn't the attitude of a supporter at all.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 38,227 ✭✭✭✭Guy:Incognito


    Well it's an attitude shared by a few of us. I'd rather a proper ruun at the league than 4 decent runs in all comps. The only way we are realisticly goinj gto win the league or at least come very close is if Rafas hand is forced and he has to concentrate on the league.

    As long as the cl is still on, it looks like its still his priority. We've had 2 finals inm 3 years and thats great but the league is no1.

    Priorities people.

    Unearthly wrote: »
    It's a very bizarre attitude to have alright, if Chelsea, Arsenal and Man Utd can manage to compete in both, why can't Liverpool?

    As above, Rafa's attitude. Games like yesterday will keep happening around cl games and that will cost usin the league.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,346 ✭✭✭✭homerjay2005


    i would be happy if both games on sunday ended in draws.

    ill be watching this with one big hangover after the christmas party. it will be tight match, probably not a classic!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,920 ✭✭✭evad_lhorg


    im puttin my money on John o shea to score the winner :D


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 27,856 ✭✭✭✭Dave!


    Unearthly wrote: »
    Draw written all over it.

    Unless John O'Shea plays, bycicle kick 40 yards out 1-0 Man Utd

    That's where the smart money is.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 8,176 ✭✭✭Unearthly


    Stekelly wrote: »




    As above, Rafa's attitude. Games like yesterday will keep happening around cl games and that will cost usin the league.


    If that's the case then you should be asking for Benitez sacked instead. He has no reason why he can't challenge for both, the squad is there.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 38,227 ✭✭✭✭Guy:Incognito


    Unearthly wrote: »
    If that's the case then you should be asking for Benitez sacked instead. He has no reason why he can't challenge for both, the squad is there.

    Well that sdown to him and the way he plays so. I can see no reason for the approach to yesterdays game than the Marseilles game. Even if he was swappign like for like in small numbers but he's chopping and changing formations and everything (or just not having one like yesterday)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,617 ✭✭✭✭PHB


    I'm gona stick my head out on this one, like really stick it out, well open to being quoted for years to come, United are gona win this game comfortably. Too much going forward, and United's defence is good enough to contain Liverpools attack. I think Liverpool are gona try keep this game very tight, if Rafa makes it open I'm sure we'll win, but I don't think he will. As such, it's gona be about a couple of individual battles.

    Can Torres be stopped by Rio? Yes. The only defender who is really able to match Torres for pace, indeed might be faster than him, also Torres is the style of player Rio is best against.
    Can Gerrard be stopped by Hargreaves? Yes.
    Can Ronaldo get the better of Arbeloa/Riise? Yes.
    Can Anderson get the better of Mascherano and Sissoko/Lucas? I'd be surprised, but I don't think it'll matter.
    Can Anderson/Tevez/Rooney's movement break down Liverpools central defence? Absolutely.
    Most importantly, can Liverpool's defence come close to keeping up with United's attacking pace? I don't think so.

    Where do I think this game will be won? Rooney and Ronaldo. I think they will cause a lot of hassle, and when they get double marked, they'll create the space for others. I also have a sneaking feeling Giggs is gona play a big role in this game.

    United's last few league results against Liverpool:

    Away 1-0 to United
    Home 2-0 to United
    Away 0-0 Draw
    Home 1-0 to United
    Home 2-1 to United
    Away 1-0 to United

    Last three years we've had 5 wins and a draw. I think Fergie's got the better of Rafa. Just like Rafa had the better of Mourinho, and Mourinho had the better of Fergie.

    I just know this is gona come back to haunt me :)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 16,658 ✭✭✭✭Peyton Manning


    Rio will score.
















    Again :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,283 ✭✭✭Smegball


    1-1 Draw.
    Rooney to score in the first half for United and Gerrard to equalise in last 10 mins. That's my precise prediction :D
    Hopefully I'm wrong and United thrash them :D


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,942 ✭✭✭missingtime


    I'm predicting a 2-1 win for liverpool.

    Utd to score first, Rio to score an og and oh lets say Lucas to score the winner.

    If only Carlesberg did Liverpool Man Utd matches....


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,430 ✭✭✭Sizzler


    PHB wrote: »
    United are gona win this game comfortably.

    You're right about this going to come back and bite you in the a$$, probably around 3.30pm on Sunday ;)

    If anybody is going to score for United it will be Rooney, its set up for him :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,246 ✭✭✭ROCKMAN


    PHB wrote: »
    I'm gona stick my head out on this one, like really stick it out, well open to being quoted for years to come, United are gona win this game comfortably. Too much going forward, and United's defence is good enough to contain Liverpools attack. I think Liverpool are gona try keep this game very tight, if Rafa makes it open I'm sure we'll win, but I don't think he will. As such, it's gona be about a couple of individual battles.

    Can Torres be stopped by Rio? Yes. The only defender who is really able to match Torres for pace, indeed might be faster than him, also Torres is the style of player Rio is best against.
    Can Gerrard be stopped by Hargreaves? Yes.
    Can Ronaldo get the better of Arbeloa/Riise? Yes.
    Can Anderson get the better of Mascherano and Sissoko/Lucas? I'd be surprised, but I don't think it'll matter.
    Can Anderson/Tevez/Rooney's movement break down Liverpools central defence? Absolutely.
    Most importantly, can Liverpool's defence come close to keeping up with United's attacking pace? I don't think so.

    Where do I think this game will be won? Rooney and Ronaldo. I think they will cause a lot of hassle, and when they get double marked, they'll create the space for others. I also have a sneaking feeling Giggs is gona play a big role in this game.

    United's last few league results against Liverpool:

    Away 1-0 to United
    Home 2-0 to United
    Away 0-0 Draw
    Home 1-0 to United
    Home 2-1 to United
    Away 1-0 to United

    Last three years we've had 5 wins and a draw. I think Fergie's got the better of Rafa. Just like Rafa had the better of Mourinho, and Mourinho had the better of Fergie.

    I just know this is gona come back to haunt me :)

    Lets make it 2 that can be pointed at and ridicule for years to come , But I was about to post something very similar and go for a comfortable 2-0 win for UTD. I just think this year we have to much firepower and movement for Liverpool . Liverpool have 4 or 5 match winners to deal with where as Utd have only 1 maybe 2 to deal with. IMO


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,473 ✭✭✭RE*AC*TOR


    Neither team is firing on full cylinders at the moment. I think it could be a cagey match, coming down to who takes the chances that may come their way. I wouldn't like to predict it either way, and I certainly wouldn't be certain of a win for Liverpool. A draw is probably the most likely outcome.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,203 ✭✭✭✭Lex Luthor


    I'm not going to even bother trying to predict this one....

    Form of both teams at the moment is equal. Both scoring for fun bar Liverpool against Reading and UTD against Bolton.

    Trying to pick the match winner or who will win the individual battles is pointless as it never works out that way in these big matches.

    The main thing is, Liverpool need to win this one. It seems like ages that they have beaten Utd and for them to lose would be a huge blow.

    Utd can just sit back and contain them and hope for a late goal as they have done in the last few years.

    I'm looking forward to it but then again I'm not if you know what I mean....

    Wife has decided to take herself out of the house on Sat with the kids as she can't stand to be around me the morning of the build up to this one....I'm usually on a different planet


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,426 ✭✭✭Roar


    liverpool are an average side punching above their weight (like ricky hatton), playing average football with a manager who's lost the plot, and a "captain" who can't be arsed.. he should really have "for sale" written on his shirt, cause he's playing like a player who wants away

    they'll be scrapping for fourth place by the end of the season.

    a united win is the only outcome i can see, and this is coming from a neutral..


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