Premier League
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Played
February 11, 2012 12:45 PM GMT
Old Trafford — Manchester
Referee:‬ P. Dowd‎
Attendance:‬ 74844‎
 
47′ Wayne Rooney
Luis Suárez 80′
50′ Wayne Rooney
 

Manchester United - Liverpool Preview: Kenny Dalglish's men looking for repeat of recent FA Cup win against rivals

The Reds' away record makes for slightly better reading then their home form, having won two their last five on the road, including a 1-0 victory over Manchester City at Eastlands

By Adithya Ananth

More On :  Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester United vs Liverpool
FA Cup: Sir Alex Ferguson - Kenny Dalglish, Liverpool v Manchester United
Getty Images

 PROBABLE LINEUPS

MANCHESTER UNITED

De Gea
Rafael, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra
Valencia, Giggs, Carrick, Young
Welbeck, Rooney
LIVERPOOL
 
Reina
Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique
Gerrard, Spearing, Adam
Kuyt, Suarez, Bellamy

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has fitness concerns over Phil Jones and Anders Lindegaard (both ankle), whilst Michael Owen (thigh) joins the duo in the treatment room.

Ashley Young returned to the starting line-up in the previous clash against Chelsea after recovering from a knee injury, as the Red Devils managed to come back from three goals down to draw the game at Stamford Bridge. The winger would expect to continue in his position on the flank.

Tom Cleverley (ankle) and Nani (foot) are also both doubts for the blockbuster game against Liverpool, and the former is unlikely to make the starting line-up even if he regains full fitness due to a lack of first-team football. Chris Smalling missed the game against Chelsea and is a doubt for this game, and Rafael should continue at full-back if his team-mate does not return in time for the game against the Merseysiders.

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish does not have too many injury-related concerns ahead of this game, with Lucas (knee) having already been ruled out for the rest of the season while Jack Robinson is nursing an ankle injury.

Jose Enrique missed the goalless draw with Tottenham Hotspur due to a hamstring problem, but is thought to be on his way back to fitness. Even so, he remains a doubt for this clash.


 DID YOU KNOW?

  • Manchester United have won 22 of their last 25 games at Old Trafford in the Premier League. But they were recently subject to defeat at the hands of Blackburn Rovers, who registered a 3-2 victory on New Year's Eve.
  • The last meeting between the two sides was at Anfield in the fourth round of the FA Cup in January. Saturday's visitors managed a 2-1 victory at Anfield that day.
  • Sir Alex Ferguson's men have lost only once in their last seven Premier League games against this opposition at Old Trafford.
  • But overall, United have beaten the Merseyside club 38 times in the league at home, losing on 15 occasions. A further 25 matches ended with points being shared.
  • If all matches had ended at half-time, Manchester United would have been at the top of the table with a two-point lead over Manchester City. For their part, Kenny Dalglish's men would have remained in seventh place.
  • Liverpool have won only one of their last five matches in the Premier League. This came in the form of a 3-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux.
  • The visitors have alternated conceding in two games then keeping two clean sheets for their last 11 away games. If this trend continues, Dalglish's men would keep a clean sheet at Old Trafford.
  • The Reds have conceded only 21 goals so far in the league this season. Barring Manchester City, they have the best defence in the top-flight.
  • Steven Gerrard (pictured right) has scored four times in his last five appearances in the Premier League against United.
  • Throughout the course of history, Liverpool have scored 238 goals and conceded 254 times against Manchester United.

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Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
  • Manchester United 0-9 Liverpool
    16.95 %
  • Manchester United 3-0 Liverpool
    15.67 %
  • Manchester United 1-2 Liverpool
    9.34 %
Head to Head
Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 11 Feb 2012 Manchester United 2 - Liverpool 1
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FA Cup ‎(FA)‎ 28 Jan 2012 Liverpool 2 - Manchester United 1
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Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 15 Oct 2011 Liverpool 1 - Manchester United 1
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Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 6 Mar 2011 Liverpool 3 - Manchester United 1
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FA Cup ‎(FA)‎ 9 Jan 2011 Manchester United 1 - Liverpool 0
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Last Five Matches
Manchester United
13 May 2012Sunderland 0 - Manchester United 1EPL
6 May 2012Manchester United 2 - Swansea City 0EPL
30 Apr 2012Manchester City 1 - Manchester United 0EPL
22 Apr 2012Manchester United 4 - Everton 4EPL
15 Apr 2012Manchester United 4 - Aston Villa 0EPL
Liverpool
13 May 2012Swansea City 1 - Liverpool 0EPL
8 May 2012Liverpool 4 - Chelsea FC 1EPL
5 May 2012Liverpool 1 - Chelsea FC 2FA
1 May 2012Liverpool 0 - Fulham 1EPL
28 Apr 2012Norwich City 0 - Liverpool 3EPL
Odds
Returns: Manchester United £22.00 Sportingbet Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets!
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Returns: Liverpool £460.00 WilliamHill Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Team News
Available Squads
1David de GeaGoalkeeper
21Rafael SilvaMidfielder
5Rio FerdinandDefender
6Jonny EvansDefender
3Patrice EvraDefender
25Antonio ValenciaMidfielder
16Michael CarrickMidfielder
22Paul ScholesMidfielder
11Ryan GiggsMidfielder
10Wayne RooneyStriker
19Danny WelbeckStriker
40Ben AmosGoalkeeper
20Fabio Da SilvaDefender
13Ji-Sung ParkMidfielder
23Tom CleverleyMidfielder
42Paul PogbaMidfielder
9Dimitar BerbatovStriker
14ChicharitoStriker
25José Reina PaezGoalkeeper
2Glen JohnsonDefender
37Martin SkrtelDefender
5Daniel AggerDefender
3José EnriqueDefender
20Jay SpearingMidfielder
14Jordan HendersonMidfielder
8Steven GerrardMidfielder
19Stewart DowningMidfielder
18Dirk KuytStriker
7Luis SuárezStriker
32DoniGoalkeeper
23Jamie CarragherDefender
34Martin KellyDefender
26Charlie AdamMidfielder
33Jonjo ShelveyMidfielder
9Andy CarrollStriker
39Craig BellamyStriker
Players to Watch
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney
Position: Striker
Squad Number: 10
Games Goals YC RC
34 27 1 0
Wayne Rooney is a big-game performer and he will undoubtedly be inspired against Liverpool, given his history with Merseyside rivals Everton. Having scored four goals in as many games in all competitions, the forward should be raring to go and take revenge against the visitors for knocking his side out of the FA Cup.
Luis Suárez
Luis Suárez
Position: Striker
Squad Number: 7
Games Goals YC RC
31 11 5 0
Luis Suarez will be the talking point of this game, since the Uruguayan should take to the pitch for the first time against Manchester United following his eight-match ban. He is expected to receive a fair amount of stick from the home supporters, but the forward believes that that should inspire him to perform better on the day.
Prediction
Liverpool may be one of the home side's greatest rivals, but their eyes will likely be fixed on securing three points to keep the pressure on current league leaders Manchester City.

With Liverpool playing away and the Red Devils having lost the last game - albeit in the FA Cup - against Kenny Dalglish's men, it is possible that both teams will go into this game not wanting to make a mistake as opposed to trying to outscore the opposition.

Overall, it is likely that United might just nick this one by a single goal.
Editor's Prediction
Manchester United 1
Liverpool 0
Results
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