Liverpool Face United Today

Fernando Torres Surely our late run of form in the Champions League, especially four goals against Marseille can carry forward to today as Liverpool take on United at lunch time.

I won’t be live blogging the game (as much as I’d love to) as I’ll be firmly rooted to a bar stool and screaming at the TV in my local as Liverpool try extend their unbeaten league run at Anfield.

We’ve only managed to beat United once since Rafa arrived at Anfield but hopefully that’s all about to change today. Fernando Torres is on fire, Gerrard and Mascherano look great in midfield, Xabi Alonso may make a return and barring the defeat against Reading, the backline are solid and brimming with confidence. Defensively this season, United have conceded just eight goals (Liverpool nine) but 6 of those eight have come on the road in the league, another factor hopefully playing in our favour, though Torres will certainly have his work cut out for him.

It’s hard to call who’s going to start up front against United, though I wouldn’t be surprised if it was Torres and Kuyt. That said, going up against a solid English defence it would be nice to have Peter Crouch’s height in the box to bounce off the pace of Torres, especially when you’ve the likes of Rio Ferdinand staring back at you.

For his part, Harry Kewell did well against Marseille and I’d expect him to keep his place out of the left. He looks like he’s enjoying the link-up play with Torres so long may it continue.

While Xabi Alonso looks like he might return at some point in the game for Liverpool, Steve Finnan is still an injury doubt so Alvaro Arbeloa should keep his place in the side. John O’Shea too looks like he’ll be missing so at least we know there’s no chance of a late odd goal from the Waterford man.

If Chelsea beat Arsenal later today then even a draw would send United to the top of the table. We need to beat United to move back into fourth, leaving us three points off United in second place and still with a game in hand. Chelsea could still beat Arsenal, leap frog United into second place but I’d be happier with a draw in London this afternoon.

While the loss to Reading was shoved to the back of peoples minds ahead of the Marseille clash, the loss of three points in the league comes back to the front today, a win there and a win against United today could possibly have left us in second place in the table come the final whistle today, still with that vital game in hand.

But, such is football.

Kick off is 1:30pm, let me know during the game or post match what you think of the events at Anfield.

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