[Red Royal]

Any early team news for Scousers - is Matip available and is TAA still isolating?

 

[UNITED ACADEMY]

In my opinion this is where we are going to play our strength and finally beat the top team (in the league this season). Why?

One, because Klopp is not going to play 5 at the back like Chelsea and Arsenal.
Two, because Klopp will not play for a draw and their defense isn’t as good as City defense to nullify our counter attack.
Three, I’ll be more confident if Matip isn’t fit for the match.

We are the best counter attack team in the country at the moment and it will hurt their defense without VVD, poor form Trent and especially if Matip isn’t available.

 

[12OunceEpilogue]

If in the last three years you'd have told me we'd be going into our first game of 2021 against this lot three points ahead of them at the top I'd have had you sectioned. We have problems in our team, starting with all our strikers being out of goalscoring form and the conundrum over how we try to balance out our lack of a right flank, but hopefully the lads go into this one brimming with confidence. There is nothing to fear against this fecking bunch and we shouldn't give them any respect.

 

[croadyman]

Its beautiful being 3 points ahead for this. Really does make it feel like a free hit

Yeah that win tonight means we will be at worse level on points after Sunday and slams shut their chance to gain on us. What a position to be in and gives us some real flexibility ahead of the game.

 

[0le]

So the last time we beat Liverpool at Anfield in the league, this was our team :

De Gea
Darmian Smalling Blind Young
Herrera Schneiderlin Fellaini
Lingard
Martial Rooney​

 

[ClaytonBlackmoorLeftPeg]

So the last time we beat Liverpool at Anfield in the league, this was our team :

De Gea
Darmian Smalling Blind Young
Herrera Schneiderlin Fellaini
Lingard
Martial Rooney​

was that when Gerrard got sent off after half time, or was that at OT?

Shit team. But then the team that name at Arsenal 8-2 looks bloody awful on paper.

 

[bondsname]

I fear Liverpools crosses can hurt us. We need Bailly and Maguire to be confident and focused to get points from here I think, we can't rely solely on our attack.

 

[Cloud7]

This is the one. This is the one.

I know in the post Sir Alex era we've been in some cup finals and stuff, and we've had a fair few matches of significance even outside of those, but none of them have carried the weight that this match does for me. The chance to go six points clear of the league leaders, Liverpool no less, this is something else. I haven't been as nervous, and simultaneously excited, for any match in this era, as I am for this one.

 

[Cloud7]

So the last time we beat Liverpool at Anfield in the league, this was our team :

De Gea
Darmian Smalling Blind Young
Herrera Schneiderlin Fellaini
Lingard
Martial Rooney​

If I remember correctly Young had one hell of a game in this game, didn't he?

 

[Red00012]

I'm pretty sure this will be the starting 11, if Martial is fit he'll start over Cavani for his superior hold-up play.

Would be going with this as well even if Martial is fit.

 

[Houdini]

Rashford needs to play on LW. He is a waste as RW. I would go:

LW: Rashford CF: Martial RW: Greenwood (he looks off but do we have better option?)
AM: Bruno
CM: Fred CM: McT
Shaw - Magire - Eric - AVB

Cavani as SUB around 60min
Pogba, Matic, VdB, Telles as otrer options, Axel if we need to park the bus for last few minutes.

 

[Houdini]

If we want to go with our best players from the star then:
Mart - Rash
Bruno
Pogba - McT
Fred
Shaw - Maguire - Eric - AVB
DDG

Cavani as supersub

 

[RedPed]

We haven't shown up against the top teams yet so hoping we don't get hammered. Would take a draw but optimistic on a 2-1 win and 6 points clear of the Dips.

 

[bosnian_red]

Huge game. Martial seemed to pick up an injury, but either way I'd be tempted to use just him as a sub. He's off it, and one of Martial/Rashford/Cavani/Bruno/Pogba have to sit out as Fred and McTominay will be the midfield duo. After Pogba's recent form, he has to be in, Rashford and Bruno are obvious, and then Cavani for his experience/movement and freshness I'd start up top. Hoping for Bailly to start as well, as he's been great the last few games. Nothing wrong with Lindelof, but Bailly's pace and power have been a huge plus (along with being comfortable on the ball). Finally got some consistency, just need to trust it. Fine either way though.

Will be a tough game since they have the full week off, and are obviously a top team and will be hurting after we knocked them off the top. Also it's at Anfield, where we have always been dreadful. So not expecting much. But you never know. Any sort of result would be great. Bite your hand off for a draw sort of game.

De Gea
Wan Bissaka Bailly Maguire Shaw
McTominay Fred
Rashford Bruno Pogba
Cavani
​

 

[spiriticon]

It's been so long since we were in a credible title race I think I've forgotten how to get excited for these types of clashes.

I am way too calm about this match.

 

[McGrathsipan]

Would be going with this as well even if Martial is fit.

Martial playing this is a mistake.
We need workers.
I'll be worried if he starts.

 

[Red00012]

Martial playing this is a mistake.
We need workers.
I'll be worried if he starts.

Any update on Martial?

 

[McGrathsipan]

It's been so long since we were in a credible title race I think I've forgotten how to get excited for these types of clashes.

I am way too calm about this match.

Were not in a title race.
If we are in this kind of position after another 10 or 12 games then yeah. Now its just noses in front coming up to halfway.

Whether we kick on or run out of contention starts on Sunday. The performance will tell alot.
If we go and get pasted then forget it. If we go and win then no reason why we can't kick on.
If we draw or lose narrowly after a really good performance then we'll have a good go.
Its all about the performance

 

[McGrathsipan]

Any update on Martial?

Don't know.

 

[westmeath]

Huge game. Martial seemed to pick up an injury, but either way I'd be tempted to use just him as a sub. He's off it, and one of Martial/Rashford/Cavani/Bruno/Pogba have to sit out as Fred and McTominay will be the midfield duo. After Pogba's recent form, he has to be in, Rashford and Bruno are obvious, and then Cavani for his experience/movement and freshness I'd start up top. Hoping for Bailly to start as well, as he's been great the last few games. Nothing wrong with Lindelof, but Bailly's pace and power have been a huge plus (along with being comfortable on the ball). Finally got some consistency, just need to trust it. Fine either way though.

Will be a tough game since they have the full week off, and are obviously a top team and will be hurting after we knocked them off the top. Also it's at Anfield, where we have always been dreadful. So not expecting much. But you never know. Any sort of result would be great. Bite your hand off for a draw sort of game.

De Gea
Wan Bissaka Bailly Maguire Shaw
McTominay Fred
Rashford Bruno Pogba
Cavani
​

That has to be the lineup. Think they might go 4-2-2-2 rather than 4-2-3-1 though. I don’t like Pogba in that winger slot.

Left of 3 in 4-3-3 he is effective but I think he’s too far up the field to properly influence the game when he’s there in a 4-2-3-1.

 

[Dominos]

Lineup will probably be something along the lines of (with Martial's injury)

De Gea

Wan Bissaka Bailly Maguire Shaw
McTominay Fred
Rashford Fernandes Pogba
Cavani
​

Chance someone else starts instead of Cavani but I expect the other 10 to play.

I'm really not a fan.

The aim is surely to play as few players out of position as possible. Rashford and Pogba in this line up are square pegs in round holes. It either involves Rashford looking uncomfortable on the right and Pogba uncomfortable out wide. Or it reverts to a 442 diamond, and given how well Liverpool use the wide areas with their full backs and Salah/Mane I don't think it's a good idea. Whilst playing 4 midfielders has worked in some games this season it's also been home to some truely dismal displays.

I wouldn't have advocated for Pogba to start a game like this usually because there will be a lot of defensive work to do and they'll be pressing him like mad to force him to turnover possession in dangerous positions as he tends to do.. However you can't really drop him after tonight, so it's a difficult one. I don't think we have much choice but to go with the team you gave..


Only alternative would be something like

De Gea
Wan Bissaka Bailly Maguire Shaw
Pogba Fred
Greenwood Fernandes Rashford
Cavani

Now I know Greenwood has been out of form but he's at least shown he can be effective from the right at times which is more than I can say for the alternatives, and it allows Rashford to potentially get some joy in his best position from TAA. I do worry about Pogba in a double pivot in a game like this though. I would say the last time we played a line up similar to this we outplayed Sevilla so I don't think it would be worst idea.

Most of us would consider a back 5 usually given the success of it at times last season and against PSG this year. However the horror showing in Leipzig has scarred us on that front.

 

[Alemar]

We can lose now and still be level on points (game in hand).

We can’t lose as it will make City the league leaders (on points lost). If we want the title, we can’t allow losses to either Liverpool or City (draws against these teams may probably be acceptable)

 

[Tapori]

Even for a bit, I've always loved any campaign where our nearest rivals are the scousers.
Makes it the much edgier

Have we ever had seasons where we took it vs them to the last say 4 matches?

 

[Tapori]

Shouldn’t be anything else

if he starts James then he might as well hand over the 3pts

James is effective against the high line and does decent defensive work.
I can see him as an option during the game why not?

 

[Tapori]

Shitting bricks already. I'd take a draw if offered right now, but I hope we do them on the break with their makeshift defence. Should be scoring at least one against that backline. Sitting back would be the smart thing but I really hope we don't completely surrender possession and invite them to whip in balls. Hope he takes a page out of Hasenhuttl's book and doubles up on their fullbacks to restrict service into our box.

With or without Martial's injury, I think Ole will go with:

--------DDG
AWB-Bailly-Maguire-Shaw
------Fred-McSauce
--Bruno-----Pogba
-----Cavani-Rashford

I hope Lindelof doesn't come back in, although this game probably suits him more than most.

It's cliche but form really is out the window here. There's a chance they smash us which would be huge for both teams' confidence.

This

 

[Tapori]

Imagine winning on Sunday and going six points clear at the top of the table.

Just picture it.

Post the Liverpool fan gifs

 

[tentan]

Haven't been desperate for a United win in so long. Please end Liverpools Anfield unbeaten run.

 

[Irwin99]

Ruining their Anfield run would be magical . I hope we don't go too cautious and sit back and just wait to counter. Our record against the big teams this season has not been good. I think the best statement of intent would be to attack a weakened Liverpool defence.

 

[suheilsworld]

We can’t afford to start slow in this one. Need to be alert and sharp from get go. Pool attacking play might help our counter attacking play.

 

[PoTMS]

Post the Liverpool fan gifs

Oh God, I haven't seen that gif in years. Feck, they were shit just the other day. How time flies.

 

[Morpheus 7]

We are going in to this in good form. Liverpool with no fans and poor form. We should be going in confident to get a result. Winning against Burnley was huge. Liverpool are a good side but have real weakenesses now, have a proper go. Hopefully be a good game, nothing is decided on Sunday but we could really make a marker to the league with a win. They haven't been beaten in a long time at home, due a real performance. Feels different to previous seasons. The dread isn't the same, hopefully the lads can do it.

 

[TheNewEra]

A must win obviously, hopefully they are fired up for it.

 

[always_hoping]

I'f I am not mistaken, they haven't lost at home since 2017. Imagine now going there and win it.
I suppose a point is somewhat all right, but if are to truly make a statement we will win this

23rd of April 2017 against Palace was their last Anfield defeat in the league. United haven't lost away in the league since January 2020 against Liverpool.

Have a feeling both records will remain and we'll have a score draw in this game.

 

[calodo2003]

Beautiful day - Us v. Liverpool, then the Buccaneers v. Saints.

 

[Mr Smith]

The jammiest of goals. Made my day it did.

Imagine a repeat. Bailly miskick from a corner in the last minute that deflects in off Henderson/Robertson

 

[bond19821982]

Is Martial definitely out ? Would have loved tp see Martial and Rashy going at their makeshift CBs.

 

[Mr Smith]

The McFred combo certainly need to come in for this one.
Both will be perfectly rested.

Aside from those two you'd have to say at least 8 who started tonight will play, with the only doubt whether Martial is injured meaning Greenwood might step in.

Could go with the 4 centre mids and Cavani and Rashy up front. Or could just play Pogba on the wide left and keep mosty of the rest the same.

The problem with the diamond is it doesn't offer protection against Liverpool's fullbacks, which is why I think the 4-2-3-1 is far more likely, even if it does mean Pogba has to track Robertson. I actually wouldn't rule out a back 5 either, though I wouldn't want that myself.

 

[Jam]

Part of me really wants an absolute shitehouse performance and Fernandes to score a dubious penalty in the 93rd minute to win 1-0, just for the glorious reactions.

Klopp would break.

 

[meamth]

We need that top 6 mojo back. We know Ole and the boys had it in him.

Biggest match of the season.

 

[Adam_S]

0-1 from a questionable penalty in the 98th minute. Wouldn't it be glorious?