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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Fighting a losing battle

Forget Usain Bolt... I'm a superstar!

Without giving too much away, I'm not exactly a spring chicken in terms of age. I watched the recent documentary about James Hunt and Nikki Lauda during their battle for the 1976 Formula 1 World Championship and it surprised me how I could easily recall watching the coverage at the time. Lauda, literally going up in smoke, James Hunt the morning after a typically well done night before... Those were the days... The epitome of an era that has long passed. There was a different mindset then, as there is now. Whether better or worse.

Hunt and Lauda were described as the first superstars of their sport. Listen to Sebastian Vettel and his sadly unconvincing congratulations to "the team"..., "great job guys!" then disobeying the team to overtake his team mate in order to win, and you see how bad things have become. Football also, has sadly changed to follow suit. Gone are the days when the expression that "No player is bigger than the team" was actually true. It has since left the building along with Sir Alex Ferguson.  

At the time of writing, there are at least three managers who, sadly didn't notice the departure. For whatever reason, probably their own ego and to confirm their status they've inadvertently created a situation where some players, do appear to be, bigger than the clubs. I'm talking about Manchester United's David Moyes, Paul Lambert at Aston Villa and Liverpool's own Brendan Rodgers. All of whom are fighting, often very public but losing, battles with those who have frankly become too big for their boots. In each case, they're letting players dictate to them - even when the exact opposite is apparent. Moyes is showing that this approach with Wayne Rooney obviously isn't working. 

In one of Sir Alex Ferguson's last interviews after his final match at Old Trafford, he was asked how he would handle the Rooney situation. He diplomatically used words to the effect that it's not his problem now. Quite rightly in the circumstances, but anyone that has watched his team go from strength to strength since their crunch game against Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup back in 1989 will know exactly what he'd have done with Rooney. Ask Jaap Stam, Paul Ince or David Beckham. He'd have sold him quicker than Rooney's Range Rover Sport does the 0-100KPH sprint. The fact is he wouldn't have stood for it. 

Brendan Rodgers, like many a Liverpool fan seems to have this unconditional love affair with Luis Suarez, when the guy is clearly only interested in his own promotion. Suarez should be sold. Point. With the utterings coming from Liverpool that Rodgers is "on the phone to Suarez every day" in an effort to convince him to stay, being a prime example. What the hell for? Why behave like a mother who's last born is leaving for University? Rodgers should be on the phone to the Real Madrid, Arsenal and Chelsea to see if they're looking for a spare part! Suarez's behavior is absolutely not befitting of a Liverpool player, in the way that genuine fans would describe one. It's not just down to ability, but also attitude and Suarez's attitude stinks more than the browny-green stuff in a babies nappy! There should be no place for him. Liverpool Football Club has managed very well before Suarez and I'm sure they can do so after he's gone. His behavior is a smack in the face for the club that has stuck by him, even ill advisedly through thick and thin. LFC, literally, is bigger than that. 

Lastly, we have Christian Benteke at Aston Villa, again arrogance abounds. Not turning up for training,
threatening to strike as he did at his old club FC Genk. Totally unacceptable, and instead of "threatening" to fine him, Randy Lerner should have docked a sizeable sum from him already. Threatening is what powerless parents do with their spoilt and belligerent children. Action is what gets results be they pretty or ugly. Football, is a results game after all. The guy has played one season in the Premiership and thinks he's all that already. He has some ability, but lets hope the phrase "one season wonder" isn't his descriptive come May 2014. 

I don't know if these lads are just badly represented, misunderstood, or if what gets into the press is simple maneuvering, but it leaves a sour taste in the mouths of the fans and the public in general. Whatever it is, the teams, the managers and all associated with them need to take a stand. They need to send the right message. Nobody is irreplaceable and nobody is bigger than the club. 

Follow me on Twitter @Mrbengreen