Liverpool VS Man Utd: Preview

Sorry faithful readers for not updating lately. As I have previously stated, I definitely struggle to muster the words when we lose. I take it very hard, and that has certainly not changed in the now 11 years of support. I have also never witnessed such a massive dip in form as the one we are currently in. From winning six straight to losing four in a row, it is safe to say that we have lost our touch. Torres and Gerrard are out, as well, and that has not helped matters. But honestly, I am almost lost for words in explanation of why we have not done the business this year.

Many critics have pointed at the sale of Xabi Alonso and that Lucas is not worth the space. That is a valid point, but does it REALLY explain why we have lost six of our thirteen matches this season? I don’t think it does. It has not been a good thing, obviously, but to blame it all on Lucas is immature and daft. To blame it on Rafa is also not exactly fair, as injuries have played an importantly unfortunate role. Then, you have lady luck. Last season, we won so many matches at the death. This year, we are being scored on by beach balls. So there you have it!

As a supporter, I definitely have some views. But I am not from the camp that states that I know more than the manager or that we need to sack him or anything ludicrous like that. I have the opinion that there are a few players who probably should be getting a crack of the whip that are sitting at the moment. The big one for me is Albert Riera. He was so important last season in giving us that balance of width, given that Kuyt is not a natural winger. With Benayoun on the left, and I LOVE Benni, we are too narrow again. If Rafa would slip Benayoun into the midfield instead of Lucas and put Riera on the left, I think we could be recovering some of our form.  But like I said, I’m indeed not a football manager and he is one of the best in the business. He must have his reasons for not playing Riera, and I do not know what those are. I just want to see him out there! The other player is Fabio Aurelio, who I without question prefer on the left flank in defense over Insua. Insua is a great young talent, but Aurelio fills me with so much more confidence when we are being attacked, which recently seems to be all of the time!

With United coming to town today, I just want to say RIGHT NOW that this is not a make or break match. Our season is already broken in the league, let’s face it. A top four finish will be the goal. What matters to me is qualifying for the Champions League and putting together a trophy winning campaign in one (or more) of our cup competitions, preferably the FA Cup or Champions League (which is looking iffy, sadly). Although we are behind two clubs who have already beaten us, we have seen Liverpool make an impressive comeback before… 2007-2008 anyone? Or 2004-2005? We can do it! Either way, a cup run would make our league failings so much easier to swallow, even if it ends in heartache like 2006-2007’s Champions League final defeat to Milan. That saved what was otherwise a complete waste of a season. With last year being such a massive success in the league, perhaps our expectations were above what they should have been. At no point, though, did I think we would win it. I have banked on United getting their fourth, and I hold true to that. But Liverpool aren’t done yet, and maybe we can pip some kind of result today. My guess is that we most likely will lose 0-2, but my heart is BEGGING for something different. As long as Owen doesn’t score, right?

Okay. Official prediction. 1-1. I’ll go with a combo of heart and head. We’ll score on a PK, (if no Gerrard or Torres, it would probably go to Kuyt) and United will score in the 94th minute through some joker like John O’Shea or via a set-piece through Vidic or Ferdinand.