'I grew up hating Liverpool and nothing has changed' - The exact words of Wayne Rooney about Sunday's opponents. The England and Manchester United captain and talisman has never hidden his resentment of Liverpool and tempers have gone higher with the recent spats between both clubs, more recently the racism incident involving Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra (both of whom\are no longer in Britain) and the refusal of the Uruguayan to make peace with the then United vice-captain even when all accusing fingers pointed in his direction. On the field, Liverpool secured the double over a very poor United side last term but tomorrow is a different ball game entirely.
Manchester United are in a rich vein of form but not one that will worry Liverpool too much. Despite the fact that the red devils have won 5 matches on the bounce, there are still gaping holes in the team, especially at the back where at least 8 different combinations have been used since the start of the season no thanks to 44 Injuries sustained since August. At St Mary's on Monday, United rode their luck for much of the game and had RVP and DDG to thank for snatching victory by the skin of the teeth. United dodged a bullet at the Theatre of Dreams two match days ago, against Stoke. It has been 5 consecutive wins but not exceptional performances along the way. It nevertheless, shows the grit LVG's men have shown in the last month or so.
For Liverpool, it has been a very putrescent season thus far, with the club recently kicked out of Europe by Basel and sitting in 9th position with a 6-3-6 record. A far cry from the form which say them almost end their decades long league trophy drought until the 'STEVIE G SLIP' surfaced. They have been without Daniel Sturridge for most part. The Englishman was in a hot streak before injuries set in. His 21 EPL goals last season was a big step forward in his quest to be put in the same bracket with the world's finest marksmen. EL PISTOLERO's replacement, Mario Balotelli, is still looking for his first Premier League goal since his second coming. The controversial but very talented Italian striker has a very good record against Manchester United. It wouldn't be a surprise if he opens his account on Sunday. Steven Gerrard, without doubt one of the greatest footballers of his generation, couldn't repeat his heroics of years gone by, in midweek v Basel, He scored a trademark free kick to bring his team level but the winner never came. He has found himself in and out of the starting line up in recent weeks but he also knows how best to hurt Manchester United. He usually brings his A-game when it is time to face the old enemy.
Louis Van Gaal is finding his feet slowly, gradually and steadily. The Dutchman is a perfectionist to the core but he has been very unlucky with injuries as his best eleven is yet to be known. Angel Di Maria, Daley Blind and Luke Shaw will definitely miss out on Sunday and Chris Smalling is two weeks away from returning to the fold after limping out of the So'ton game. Phil Jones is back but Evans and Rojo are fitter and should make the centre back pairing. Ashley Young has played his heart out since he was introduced v Arsenal last month. The Englishman is revelling in his new left wing back role. Wayne Rooney returned to the starting eleven on Monday but was below par all round. Despite his poor showing, it was his delivery that set United on the path to victory as RVP turned in a great cross from his captain to seal victory for the red army. The Dutch man joined the 140-goal club in the Premier League after notching a brace in the South Coast.
Rivalries will be renewed on Sunday when hostilities resume. This will be the 45th time both teams will lock horns in the League since the new format was introduced in 1992. LVG's men, 8-4-3 are suddenly back in the mix after a stinking start to the season. Suddenly, they are 8 points behind seemingly runaway leaders, Chelsea and five points shy of Manchester City. It is an extraordinary improvement on what the situation was a few months ago. Whatever goes down on Sunday, one thing's certain-the 3-0 obliteration on my birthday earlier this year will not repeat itself .
DELATAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OHIREIME P EBOREIME
@ohiskaka1990
