US: 8:30 AM EST-NBC Sports
UK: 1:30 PM BST-Sky Sports 1
It's a game which neither set of players should need any geeing up for. Liverpool against Man United is a match steeped in history and is amongst the best, if not the best rivalry in Football, and even all of sport. Both teams come into the game on opposite sides of the form spectrum, but this is a game where form goes out of the window.
After the exit at the hands of Basel in the Champions League in midweek, Brendan Rodgers said that we didn't really deserve to go through, as most fans would agree, and everyone around the club expects much more from the team and even Brendan himself if we're gonna make anything of this season.
Injuries have been a problem for us, however, though Mario Balotelli has been back in training after a thigh problem and will have a late fitness test to judge if he could feature. Adam Lallana broke two ribs against Leicester, but looks ready to go. Kolo Toure didn't feature in midweek after a minor injury, but also looks to be fit enough. One also wonders where Fabio Borini is following another dip in form from Rickie Lambert, as the Italian hasn't even made the XI in recent weeks.
Lazar Markovic had a decent game in midweek before getting a silly red card. He may feature in some role after said impressive performance, and will look to show why he should be in the squad more often.
Phillipe Coutinho was a late sub against Basel, hopefully he'll be used tomorrow in an attempt to get some creativity which the side's been lacking in recent games. Phil hasn't had the best of seasons, and maybe needs to start scoring and contributing a little more. There's no better game, or better time than this, as this essentially kicks off an important Christmas period for the Reds.
This game is a big one for Man United too, who are in decidedly good form. They'll be without Angel Di Maria and Daley Blind, but Phil Jones and Chris Smalling are likely to feature.
The midfield will again be massive. Marouane Fellaini (AKA Elbows) has been on impressive form lately, in an advanced role to the one he played last season after a slow start to the year which had him regularly sat on the bench or used as a half time substitute.
Jordan Henderson will no doubt be a big player for us here. His work rate and never say die attitude will be needed here. Steven Gerrard will probably be played in the number 10 role, while Lucas sits in the holding role and Phil Coutinho and Raheem Sterling on the wings, maybe Adam Lallana in there as well. Maybe perhaps Borini up front to run the channels, or Balotelli and Borini up front in the diamond if he's fit.
The defense for both sides has been a problem this season... The Mancs' biggest problem is having to adust to the back three even with the injuries to Smalling and Jones, which has seen Tyler Blackett and Paddy McNair come in, while Marcos Rojo has also been used at Center back. The first objective, whatever combination is used, should be to get at them. They aren't settled together, (although that's much like ourselves as well) and could be susceptible.
-Other thoughts
-Please, lads... Please be better than Tuesday. We need this more than them. It's quite simple. (Johnathan)
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