How massive is next Sunday's match?

[frank the tank]

i am just leaving spain to make my way to manc-land for the game on sunday so this is most likely my last post until maybe monday night......

try to enjoy the game everyone.....(especially when we are gonna be 2 up after 20 minutes!!!)

just to get in the mood a bit....

http://www.dailymotion.com/search/torres/video/x4qztg_fernando-torres_sport

[tsb]

United on defensive over injuries as threat of Torres looms

Daniel Taylor
Friday March 21, 2008
The Guardian

Sir Alex Ferguson is anxiously awaiting news from Manchester United's medical staff as his thoughts turn to Liverpool's visit to Old Trafford on Sunday and, specifically, the threat posed by Fernando Torres, the Premier League's form centre-forward. Nemanja Vidic is expected to be cleared to play despite suffering a suspected broken nose in Wednesday's 2-0 defeat of Bolton Wanderers but Ferguson has greater cause for consternation when it comes to Rio Ferdinand, the man who would normally be employed to mark Torres.

While Vidic was sent for x-rays yesterday, Ferdinand was still complaining of a muscle problem in his lower back and, with time running out, Ferguson is preparing to move Wes Brown into the centre of defence. The plan is that John O'Shea would then deputise for Brown at right-back, although Owen Hargreaves is also consideration, having played in that position against Bolton. Gerard Pique coped admirably in place of Ferdinand but it would be a significant gamble on Ferguson's part if he were to risk the young Spaniard against his compatriot Torres.

"Vidic got elbowed in the nose and the bleeding wouldn't stop but I'm hopeful he'll be OK," said Ferguson. "Rio is more doubtful, which is why I had to find out the form of Pique. He gives us an alternative."

Ferguson's other concern is the fitness of his goalkeeper, Edwin van der Sar, who has missed the last two games with a groin problem. For the first of those, against Derby County last Saturday, Ben Foster was fast-tracked into the team after missing the previous eight months through injury but Ferguson, to many people's surprise, recalled Tomasz Kuszczak against Bolton, the reason being that he did not want to damage the Pole's confidence in case he were needed in the later stages of the Champions League.

Mind games perhaps?

[JohnDoe]

Ferdinand and Vidic will both play, guaranteed.

[dww]

Reports going about today seem to indicate Ferdinand and van der Sar are fit for the game. Personally I think van der sar is no big gain but they will be much better if they can get Ferdinand playing.

[bobbyfallon]

Ferdinand and Vidic will both play, guaranteed.

without a doubt

[Pablo]

sigh, just thought it was stupid for people to be talking about being within 5 points of Manure on Sunday with a home game against Bolton that evening...

Ok so the gap is 11 points now. I have no hope of us winning the league, Im not daft. But if we can somehow close the gap slightly and finish within 8 points of the league winners this season I will take that as some kind of progress. Especially given all that has gone on behind the scenes this year.

[Skillz]

Ok so the gap is 11 points now. I have no hope of us winning the league, Im not daft. But if we can somehow close the gap slightly and finish within 8 points of the league winners this season I will take that as some kind of progress. Especially given all that has gone on behind the scenes this year.

Definitely. TBH if we finish strongly regardless of results I will still feel very optimistic next season providing we add the right personel in the summer. We have a very good YOUNG team and there is plenty to be optimistic about IMO.

[G]

its massive cos we need to stay 4th place and ahead of Everton who have an easy game with west ham at their place

those who are talking about the title need to get their heads checked

extraordinary how an easy set of home fixtures won can change peoples mentality from trying to get a cl place to winning the league

If you aim low you will achieve low or worse.Aim High and you may be disappointed but at least you tried.Nobody thought we could win the Champions league in 05 but we did.Nobody ever won the league while aiming for fourth and however unlikely it is to win it this year,the mentality of the players must be win every game while aiming for top spot while its still mathematically possible.Gaining that mentality will then help us in future situations when we may be in a close battle for top spot comes seasons end

[Shaggy]

Ok so the gap is 11 points now. I have no hope of us winning the league, Im not daft. But if we can somehow close the gap slightly and finish within 8 points of the league winners this season I will take that as some kind of progress. Especially given all that has gone on behind the scenes this year.

Definitely. We're closing the gap. It's easy to forget that when we played Chelsea in the 2005 CL semi, we were THIRTY SEVEN points behind them!

[Shaggy]

Liverpool can upset Man Utd charge
Premier League
by Phil McNulty - BBC Sport
21 March 2008

Manchester United have the opportunity to strike a defining blow in the Premier League title race on Sunday - but face a Liverpool side in shape to land a counter-punch of their own.

To describe Rafael Benitez's league record against United since his arrival at Liverpool as utterly wretched is to do the Spaniard a great kindness.

The grim record in seven league games reads no wins and only one goal, which was actually scored by United's John O'Shea in a 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford in September 2004. It does not bode well for Liverpool's aspirations.

Sir Alex Ferguson also knows victory against Liverpool on Sunday lunchtime will apply huge psychological pressure on Chelsea and Arsenal when they meet later at Stamford Bridge.

Liverpool, however, have every right to believe they can approach the traditionally combative meeting with more optimism than in recent years.

Benitez has actually hinted that victory could push Liverpool's own door to the title slightly ajar, although bookmakers' odds of 100-1 on this freak occurrence actually taking place offer a more realistic assessment.

United have been typically remorseless in over-hauling Arsenal to reclaim their place at the Premier League summit, and in Cristiano Ronaldo they have a player who is currently peerless.

If he dovetails with Wayne Rooney - who will never shy away from the opportunity of sending Liverpool away as losers - then it will be a long afternoon for Benitez and his team.

Ferguson is the master of the perfectly-timed title charge and United have once again hit the front at a crucial time. They traditionally raise their game in an encounter that is always played for high stakes and they will not take Liverpool's threat lightly.

Liverpool, for their part, have rebuilt form and confidence since the FA Cup defeat at home to Barnsley, with an Anfield victory against Inter Milan in the Champions League the catalyst for seven straight victories.

Fernando Torres is only just behind Ronaldo when it comes to current form, and you can bet Benitez is plotting Liverpool's game-plan with the attention to detail he traditionally reserves for the Champions League.

Torres was an annual summer target for United until Liverpool finally prised him away from Atletico Madrid, and he will provide a bigger threat than any Ferguson has had to combat since Benitez came to England.

He will hope the link between Torres as his spearhead and captain Steven Gerrard playing just off the striker continues to flourish.

Their partnership is key to Sunday's outcome, as they aim to exploit the tactical freedom afforded by the screen operated in front of Liverpool's defence by Javier Mascherano.

The Argentine has been masterly in midfield and Benitez will detail him to break up United's threat, including fellow countryman Carlos Tevez, before it reaches Liverpool's back four.

Liverpool's approach will be ordered while United will enter the game intent on applying the all-out attacking flair that hallmarks every team assembled by Ferguson - a philosophy even his detractors must admire.

So can the methodical Benitez get the better of a manager whose natural instinct is to tell his team to go for the jugular?

A month ago the answer would have come emphatically in the negative, but now might just be the perfect time for an in-form Liverpool, galvanised by the world-class duo of Torres and Gerrard, to end their curse.

When players and managers talk about the twists and turns still to come in the title race, this is exactly the sort of game they had in mind.

[lfcruleus]

Liverpool can upset Man Utd charge
Premier League
by Phil McNulty - BBC Sport
21 March 2008

Manchester United have the opportunity to strike a defining blow in the Premier League title race on Sunday - but face a Liverpool side in shape to land a counter-punch of their own.

To describe Rafael Benitez's league record against United since his arrival at Liverpool as utterly wretched is to do the Spaniard a great kindness.

The grim record in seven league games reads no wins and only one goal, which was actually scored by United's John O'Shea in a 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford in September 2004. It does not bode well for Liverpool's aspirations.

Sir Alex Ferguson also knows victory against Liverpool on Sunday lunchtime will apply huge psychological pressure on Chelsea and Arsenal when they meet later at Stamford Bridge.

Liverpool, however, have every right to believe they can approach the traditionally combative meeting with more optimism than in recent years.

Benitez has actually hinted that victory could push Liverpool's own door to the title slightly ajar, although bookmakers' odds of 100-1 on this freak occurrence actually taking place offer a more realistic assessment.

United have been typically remorseless in over-hauling Arsenal to reclaim their place at the Premier League summit, and in Cristiano Ronaldo they have a player who is currently peerless.

If he dovetails with Wayne Rooney - who will never shy away from the opportunity of sending Liverpool away as losers - then it will be a long afternoon for Benitez and his team.

Ferguson is the master of the perfectly-timed title charge and United have once again hit the front at a crucial time. They traditionally raise their game in an encounter that is always played for high stakes and they will not take Liverpool's threat lightly.

Liverpool, for their part, have rebuilt form and confidence since the FA Cup defeat at home to Barnsley, with an Anfield victory against Inter Milan in the Champions League the catalyst for seven straight victories.

Fernando Torres is only just behind Ronaldo when it comes to current form, and you can bet Benitez is plotting Liverpool's game-plan with the attention to detail he traditionally reserves for the Champions League.

Torres was an annual summer target for United until Liverpool finally prised him away from Atletico Madrid, and he will provide a bigger threat than any Ferguson has had to combat since Benitez came to England.

He will hope the link between Torres as his spearhead and captain Steven Gerrard playing just off the striker continues to flourish.

Their partnership is key to Sunday's outcome, as they aim to exploit the tactical freedom afforded by the screen operated in front of Liverpool's defence by Javier Mascherano.

The Argentine has been masterly in midfield and Benitez will detail him to break up United's threat, including fellow countryman Carlos Tevez, before it reaches Liverpool's back four.

Liverpool's approach will be ordered while United will enter the game intent on applying the all-out attacking flair that hallmarks every team assembled by Ferguson - a philosophy even his detractors must admire.

So can the methodical Benitez get the better of a manager whose natural instinct is to tell his team to go for the jugular?

A month ago the answer would have come emphatically in the negative, but now might just be the perfect time for an in-form Liverpool, galvanised by the world-class duo of Torres and Gerrard, to end their curse.

When players and managers talk about the twists and turns still to come in the title race, this is exactly the sort of game they had in mind.

The highlighted is frankley bollocks, even at home against us since Rafa has been here Ferguson has not played thier normal way against us, at anfield he has been positively negative in approach, letting us have possession and hitting us on the break, but it has worked for him so expect more of the same, but we simply must start taking our chances against the cunts, in most of the defeats under Rafa we have had moments in the game to score and not taken them, hopefully Nando and Stevie will get those chances this time, though a goal from Dirk would be better!

[Skillz]

The highlighted is frankley bollocks, even at home against us since Rafa has been here Ferguson has not played thier normal way against us, at anfield he has been positively negative in approach, letting us have possession and hitting us on the break, but it has worked for him so expect more of the same, but we simply must start taking our chances against the cunts, in most of the defeats under Rafa we have had moments in the game to score and not taken them, hopefully Nando and Stevie will get those chances this time, though a goal from Dirk would be better!

Very insightful post. Whiskey nose has actually given Rafa far more respect than GH, and he has been paid dividends. IMO, he has been fortunate.

[lfcruleus]

Very insightful post. Whiskey nose has actually given Rafa far more respect than GH, and he has been paid dividends. IMO, he has been fortunate.

Fortunate yes but he has tactically overcome Rafa so far and not many do that, lets hope Rafa sticks with this system for Sunday though i have a nasty feeling he may change it.

[Frank Leroux]

Definitely. TBH if we finish strongly regardless of results I will still feel very optimistic next season providing we add the right personel in the summer. We have a very good YOUNG team and there is plenty to be optimistic about IMO.

I think the bold section above is very pertinent.

What the Utd game throws up will probably say very little about LFC chances next season. Or, it'll tell us much less than the un-beaten run we're currently enjoying. Generally these games between the 'big four' are close, tense affairs which don't really belong in the run-of-the-mill PL games which win (or lose) the title.

A good result on Sunday will allow for short-term bragging rights with a hint of setting records straight...but I won't be analysing too much to determine what our future holds.

Having said that, two wins over Utd before the end of the season....even if they were the only two

[Skillz]

Fortunate yes but he has tactically overcome Rafa so far and not many do that, lets hope Rafa sticks with this system for Sunday though i have a nasty feeling he may change it.

Only change I can see is Riise for Babel. Not fussed myself, bringing Babel on later could be a masterstroke?