Manchester United 0-3 Liverpool - LFC put United to the sword to retain 2nd

Steve Gerrard: Penalty double for LFC

Liverpool visited Old Trafford this afternoon and left with all three points and gave the old foe a footballing lesson in the process. Brendan Rodgers' men simply had too much for the home side who looked a sorry shadow of the side that ruled the Premiership less than a year ago. So alarming has been the regression from the current, and soon to be replaced Champions. The visitors opened the game brightly and never really looked like losing. The home side failed to turn up until after they went 0-1 down to a Steven Gerrard penalty. And then promptly left again after that. 

Rogers named an unchanged side to the one that triumphed over Southampton a fortnight earlier and it looked as if they meant to carry on where they left off. Liverpool harried and pressed their hosts in the early stages to assert their dominance. The breakthrough came on 33 minutes after good work from Daniel Sturridge on the right flank to find his strike partner Luis Suarez in the home side penalty area with an inch perfect cross-field pass. Suarez controlled perfectly before the hapless Rafael needlessly handled the ball to give referee Mark Clattenburg no choice but to point to the spot. The United defender had already earned himself a yellow card for an earlier infringement, but for some reason, Mr. Clattenburg chose not to send him off. 

United had it all to do and for the remainder of the first half, showed glimpses of the pressure they're so used to exerting on visiting sides. The home side had arrived at last. This period brought about their only shot on target up until then, and indeed, for the remainder of the match. Their sole threat Wayne Rooney forcing a brilliant save from Simon Mignolet, pushing the ball away to his right to avoid a certain equaliser. Liverpool held firm as the United front line pushed forward and to bombard crosses into the Liverpool penalty area for the out of sorts Robin Van Persie. The home sides efforts were easily thwarted by stout defending from the LFC back line. 

As far as any resistance from the home side went, that was it. David Moyes looked like a rabbit caught in the headlights of a marauding red juggernaut, and the expectation was that he would change things at half time as any beleaguered manager would do in the face of such a compelling onslaught. Clearly he felt his team would continue the second half as they ended the first and that an equaliser would come. They didn't, and neither did an equaliser. Within two minutes of the restart, Liverpool extended their advantage in similar style to how they got it. The tireless Suarez found Jordan Henderson on the edge of the box. His weighted pass found the run of Joe Allen who was bundled over in spectacular fashion by Phil Jones. Again, Mr. Clattenburg pointed to the spot. Again, Gerrard converted coolly to send the visiting fans and players into raptures. Liverpool were now 0-2 up. 

To make matters worse, a further penalty was awarded to Liverpool after Nemanja Bidic brought Sturridge down in the box to earn himself a red card and reduce the home side to 10 men on 70 minutes. Gerrard was unable to convert on this occasion as his effort crashed against David de Gea's right post. There was no way back for United at this point, and it showed on the face of each and every man, woman and child in the stadium - from both sides and, not least that of Moyes. It took him another five minutes to reply, making a double substitution. Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck on for Marouane Fellaini and the ineffective Adnan Januzaj. The move only served to confirm what trouble the home team were in as Liverpool put the game beyond any doubt, had there been any at this point. 

Following a period of sustained possession without reply, Sturridge picked out Suarez with a through ball that couldn't have been better timed with the best Swiss watch. The Uruguayan gratefully controlled the pass and swept it past the helpless de Gea to complete the 0-3 score line. A result which must raise questions over Moyes ability to take the Red Devils forward. Perhaps shadows of Sir Alex Ferguson's early tenure in the job, but it's time for Moyes to crack the whip and knock his troops into shape. They simply weren't at the races today and the body language of Robin Van Persie makes one wonder where he'll be playing his football next season. 

Tactically, Brendan Rodgers called it absolutely spot on. Glen Johnson was restored to right back and Jon Flanagan moved over to the left. Henderson partnered Allen in the central roles with Raheem Sterling playing just being the front two. The movement between the front players and the industry of the two central midfielders won this game for Liverpool. It's equally fair to say that United were poor but credit must go to Brendan Rodgers men for the grit, akin to some excellent pressing and passing to boot. Liverpool have retained second place and are perfectly placed for a determined assault on the title. 

I think most people would have noticed there was a banner being held up from the travelling support, it read: "David Moyes is a tactical genius". Albeit that sarcasm is the lowest form of wit they say, sometimes, it's worth the descent.  

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Manchester United v Liverpool - Match Preview

In around 24 hours from now, Liverpool FC arrive at Old Trafford with the intention of tightening their grip on fourth place and at the same time, inflicting more misery on David Moyes Manchester United side in a season that has seen the balance of power between the two clubs swing firmly toward the Reds of Merseyside. Brendan Rodgers' men will have to be at their very best in a game that ranks 

Lucas Leiva: Key man for LFC

alongside Barcelona - Real Madrid; Borussia Dortmund - Bayern Munich, and AC and Inter Milan teams in being some of the most hotly contested rivalries in world football. 

Liverpool have good news going into the match with Lucas Leiva and Mamadou Sakho returning from injury and available for selection, leaving Jose Enrique as the only player retaining the proverbial Sicknote. The choice of midfielders at Rodgers' disposal; Leiva, Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson, Philippe Coutinho and Joe Allen translates to a fully fit first choice midfield plus Victor Moses and Luis Alberto. In terms of formation, I'd like to see both Gerrard and Lucas playing in front of the back four - which should perhaps include Sakho in place of Daniel Agger - with Henderson or Allen in front of them and behind an attacking trio of Daniel Sturridge, Luis Suarez and Raheem Sterling. The benefit of Lucas' return is that it will give Gerrard some more freedom to advance in midfield and put through balls in to the runs of breaking attackers. In any case the choice of personnel  leaves the Gaffer with the nightmare many of his peers could only dream of having!

United will no doubt have Marouane Fellaini continue in midfield following his performances in the last two games for them. The absence of his physical presence, eye for a pass and undoubted skill has left the Red Devils wanting in the middle of the park for much of the season. Other than Fellaini, Michael Carrick, Juan Mata, Wayne Rooney and of course Robin Van Persie, don't give United have enough for Liverpool to fear. Having said that, this is still for the most part, the team that won the league last season. As such, Liverpool have a very tough afternoon's work ahead of them if they wish to come away from Old Trafford with anything, let alone three points. 

Tactically, I believe Liverpool will continue with their high pressing, counter-attacking approach and deny the home side any time on the ball. Interestingly, Liverpool have made the fewest crosses (410) in the Premiership of all the top ten teams with the exception of Everton (392). Manchester United on the other hand have made the most (692) and this is a very telling stat. It follows that David Moyes' tactics are perhaps outmoded given the season they've had. I for one, don't believe this is a coincidence. It's clear to me that playing a high pressure, counter-attacking game with through balls to fast attackers - allied to possession football, is an infinitely more effective approach than simply getting crosses in from the flanks. Liverpool have shown this to devastating effect against their neighbours Everton and Arsenal among others this season, so go figure. 

One cannot ignore the fact however, that this fixture is as good as a derby due to the relative close proximity of the sides and the unrivalled history between them. Arsenal - Tottenham Hotspurs; Newcastle United - Sunderland; Swansea and Cardiff Cities; Chelsea - Fulham. All great rivalries, great clubs in their own rights but no disrespect to them, meetings between these teams don't capture the imagination quite like Manchester United versus Liverpool. The two from North London perhaps, but there's still something missing. Some history, some achievement some thing that goes just a little further than bragging rights and this is what makes this match such a tough one to call. On paper and current form, you'd expect the Merseysiders to come out on top and quite rightly so but the games are always such tight, emotional affairs that anything can happen on the day. 

Liverpool haven't won at Old Trafford for about five years now. However like many a Liverpool fan, I have faith in Brendan Rodgers. He's the man to take the team forward and I've believed as much since he took over. I don't make predictions but I'm suggesting a win for Liverpool. The manager has taken the team to a new level. A higher, more modern and effective level. Above that being occupied by Moyes' men. It's my belief that Moyes needs to overhaul his thinking, his approach, his game plan if he wishes to follow in the massive footsteps of Sir Alex Ferguson. For me, I can wait for that. Take your time David. No rush!

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Can The Reds turn the Theatre of Dreams into a nightmare?

Utd v LFC: The slave has become the master?

Brendan Rodgers and his resurgent Liverpool team travel to the wrong end of the East Lancashire Road on Sunday for what will be one hell of an encounter with the old enemy Manchester United. Can David Moyes' men put a halt to Rodgers' effervescent eleven, or will the Theatre of Dreams become a nightmare on Sir Matt Busby Way for the home side come 3.15 on the day?

It's certainly shaping up to be one of the games of the season so far. Not just because Liverpool have simply out performed United in every way so far this season, but also due to the history between the two clubs. Your average Manyoo fan must be spitting nails at the progress shown by LFC this term. From the point of view of a Liverpool supporter, I have to revel in the current achievements, or lack of, for both teams. 

The Merseysiders have gatecrashed the top-of-the-table party in spectacular style and along the way gained an army of admirers. Since the turn of the year they've remained unbeaten in nine Premiership games firing 29 goals past their opponents. In the process recording scorelines of 4-0, 5-1 and 0-3 against Everton, Arsenal and Southampton respectively. Fully deserving of the plaudits born from these performances. An average of 3.2 goals per game means you have to fancy the Reds for this one. Sir Alex Ferguson's noisy neighbours are now sounding an emphatic warning to all who stand before them.

Allied to that, there is clearly a new-found steel to Rodgers' men and a determination that is making them a very difficult team to turn over. Liverpool have not achieved their current level by any serendipitous means either. The planning, the purpose and the detail of Rodgers is plain to see and translating into firm results on the pitch. The work he's done in improving Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge, Jon Flanagan and Jordan Henderson among others, has been nothing short of astonishing.

On the other hand, their hosts have been nothing short of poor. And that's putting it mildly. Mathematically, United still have everything to play for. Realistically they're merely playing for pride. Since the turn of the year, they have managed only four wins in the nine games and mustered just 14 goals. Less than half the tally of Sunday's visitors and translating into an average of just 1.2 goals per game. Their biggest win being 0-3 against West Bromwich Albion in their last outing. The team have seemingly struggled to adapt to Moyes' requirements since he took over and one could argue his ousting of Sir Alex's successful back room staff may not have been his best move. With Robin Van Persie only netting 11 times this season and £37.1m record signing Juan Mata not exactly setting the world alight, the situation doesn't look like improving anytime soon.

There are however two positives for United. Firstly, Marouane Fellaini who has played in the last two matches and he now looks as if he's returning to the form that led Moyes to fork out £27.5m for him. It's no coincidence that United have looked stronger in, and won, these last two league matches with him in the side. Secondly, their defensive record is superior to Liverpool's which, let's be honest, isn't much too write home about. Conceding only nine goals since the turn of the year in as many matches against the visitors who's leaky back line shows 12 in the 'A' for Against column. A goal a game for Manyoo versus 1.3 for LFC.

This is shaping up to be a feisty encounter between these two giants and I can't wait until the ref blows for kick-off on Sunday at 1.30. The current situation for both teams could not be anymore opposite to how things have been in recent times. Should Liverpool come out on top, I think it'll give them the psychological edge over United, having been in their shadow for the best part of the last 25 years. Could this be the time for a change in the tide for the next 25 years? Who knows, but there's no time like the present to start and what better venue than in your biggest rival's back yard.

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