On Manchester United (champions) and Liverpool (pretenders)
This is a provocative headline and is fully justified (it’s still true, whether you like it or not) in the article, so read before you blow your wad.
Take away the big names – Manchester United, Liverpool, Ferguson, Benitez, Anfield, Old Trafford, Gerrard, Ronaldo, Torres, Rooney, Carragher, Ferdinand – and look at the game itself.
You had the home team controlling the game without being able to control the outcome – a futile exercise in proving themselves worthy of the label “title contenders” as the visiting team, overpowered but not overwhelmed, under attack but not outmanouvered, stumbling but not falling, put on a display worthy of the tag “champions” as they came, stood up and when the final whistle was blown, were the only ones worth counting.
Spare a few thoughts for the Liverpool back 6 (Reina, the 4 defenders and Mascherano), who had an excellent game. They were undone only twice in the whole game, one of them from a set piece and the other on the break where Rooney’s usually excellent finishing skills deserted him. To give a team boasting the attacking talents of Ronaldo, Rooney, Tevez and Giggs just two clear cut chances at goal is a major accomplishment and certainly worthy of praise – for being anally efficient in defence, Liverpool were the better team even if Manchester United did not concede despite being under the cosh far more often.
Everywhere else on the pitch though, Liverpool fell short. Steven Gerrard was reduced to a petty squabble with Anderson and came out second best against a 19-year old, failing to leave his mark on a game when his “dive and free kick / penalty” strategy didn’t pay off. Kewell and Benayoun are decent second-tier wingers and perhaps good for value as part of Liverpool’s second team – however, as first-teamers these two form the weakest wings of the top four Premier League sides and it is a wonder why Rafa Benitez, after three years at the helm, has not been able to solve this problem. Pennant is not the answer, Babel is the only genuine top-notch winger Liverpool have and he was played too late in the game.
Up front, Kuyt and Torres had no way past Rio and Vidic (ably supported by Patrice Evra, who had a stunner of a game), and this is where Manchester United’s quality across the board shown through. From Rooney at one end outjumped and muscling Carragher off high balls (legal challenges where he was deemed to be fouling the Liverpool defender – ridiculous decisions those) to Patrice Evra cleaning up behind Edwin van der Sar and Rio Ferdinand marshaling the Manchester United defence like a king and with Hargreaves and Anderson controlling the midfield despite Mascherano’s best efforts, Manchester United played the game like true champions, never giving up, defending and attacking as a unit and when the chips were down, making crucial saves and taking their chances.
The differences between the two sides are not great – but over 38 games these differences will tell, as they did yesterday at Anfield when pretenders Liverpool came up short against champions Manchester United.
At least one positive thing came out of this match for Rafa Benitez – Mascherano’s performances would have convinced the owners to sign him permanently in January. To not do so and allow other clubs to have a shot at one of Liverpool’s most important players would be ridiculously stupid.
Key Players
Javier Mascherano: An excellent game and if Torres / Gerrard had played with the same verve, Liverpool could have come a lot closer to scoring that first elusive goal against Manchester United in several years.
Rio Ferdinand: With due respect to Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs, Rio Ferdinand is the most effective captain Manchester United have. Games of this intensity are the sort Rio Ferdinand lives for – cometh the hour, cometh the man. From the rollicking he handed out to Edwin van der Sar to the way he took care of Torres, never has his value to Manchester United been more evident. He has his doubters – idiots who look at his fun-loving personality off-the-pitch and the unfortunate delay in his contract talks as evidence that he is somehow not loyal or good enough – but for my money, he is the best center-back playing in the Premier League today. The weakest point of his game is the lack of goals he has from set pieces, a point where Terry and to an extent, Gallas, are ahead of him. I don’t think that Ferguson even needs to make him captain, because whether Neville is there or not, it is Rio Ferdinand who is master and commander of the Manchester United defence.
Patrice Evra: I have been very critical of Patrice Evra in the past, and it’s time to admit that he has improved magnificently from the start of last season. Evra was magnificent in defence with his positioning spot on and dangerous when breaking forward (he would have done better with Nani ahead of him but then again Giggs is a better defender than Nani). Where Brown was slightly disappointing, Evra was imposing and kept United in the game.
Anderson: Like Nani earlier this season, Anderson is growing as a key player for Manchester United thanks to the run of games he’s getting in the center of midfield. For Ferguson to replace the likes of Giggs and Scholes in one transfer window, and to do it so effectively, says a lot for Manchester United’s ability to pick the right players (especially when you consider Liverpool’s problems in finding decent wingers).
Future Predictions
Manchester United and Arsenal are my bets to duke it out for the title, although the next four fixtures will give us a better picture of who is going to be on top.
Chelsea will be in there but are now open to losing games to top quality opposition as well as less illustrious rivals, and while you expect to see them in the top four they’ll have to step their game up a bit to hold on to 3rd place.
Liverpool need to buy in the January transfer window if they want a shot at 3rd spot – and as things stand they’re being chased by Manchester City, Everton and Portsmouth, three teams capable of finishing at 4th spot this season.
Topics: English Premier League, Liverpool, Manchester United, Match Reports
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f*** off you man u scum
December 17th, 2007 @ 11:25As much as I hate to admit as a die hard Red, you are right in most of the things you’ve written. Our wingers are crap, and we need to change the formation to accomodate Alonso, Mascher and Gerrard.
December 17th, 2007 @ 11:41Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
December 17th, 2007 @ 12:17wow to my time.i love so much
December 17th, 2007 @ 12:51no matter what,i won’t forget MAN UNITED
GOD BLESS YOU.
December 17th, 2007 @ 12:55As a neutral (at least when looking at this game), most of what you’ve said is true. Kewell should’ve been brought off at half time. Babel could’ve and would’ve probably brought 1 goal for Liverpool if he had been given ample time.
December 17th, 2007 @ 13:52Ahmed –
I think Chelsea can peg back Man Utd in their next fixture IF they have Drogba. Considering their current run of form, Man Utd have their work cut out for them at Stamford Bridge. Other than that, i can’t really fault much of anything else in this article.
December 17th, 2007 @ 13:58Spiral architect.what are you talking about man?
December 17th, 2007 @ 15:55Umm, Spiral Architect – Drogba’s not going to be around for a few more weeks. And then if he’s fit, he’s definitely going off for the African Cup of Nations. United have only Chelsea away now. The other two Big Four games are at Old Trafford.
And Liverpool-Utd games have never been pretty. Sir Alex admits that – the points are far more important than the style.
December 17th, 2007 @ 16:28Considering you’re a Man Utd fan Ahmed Bilal, this article isn’t really surprising. Anderson did not have the better of Gerrard and given time, Kewell will regain his form. Remember he has only just come back from a long-term injury. It is therefore too much to expect from him so soon after his return to first team action, especially against a confident Utd team. His pace has not returned and its doubtful whether it ever will, even if he is at 100% match fitness and crucially, sharpness. Quaresma has been mentioned as a top class option for the wing position but his pace is not that much better than Kewell’s tbh. Certainly not that of Ronaldo, Giggs or even Vicente in his pomp. In fact there a very few world class wingers available on the market, whether it be in January or in the summer. Pace allied with skill and thus the ability to beat a man on the outside, the propensity to cut on the inside and shoot with their weaker foot et al. Also, the end product being up to scratch etc. Silva is in my opinion not an orthodox winger, while Mancini may have the skill and technique, does he have the pace and aggression? I don’t believe that he does. Malouda is certainly another winger i’m glad we ended up missing out on. Babel is made for the second striker role and its only matter of time before he gets his chance there. However, atm whenever he has started games he has not impresses. In fact, he has been quite annonymous. This may well be down to adapatation process to the english game coupled with his young age. Therefore inconsistencies seen with his performances are perhaps to be expected. Lpool won’t win the title this season obviously but we’ll be alot closer.
December 17th, 2007 @ 16:36Don’t worry Arvin maybe it will only be 15 or so points at the end of this season
. The thing is, there is only one L’pool player who would get into the United first team and that is Torres (although with Tevez and Rooney maybe even he wouldn’t get in) an honourable mention to Gerrard and Mascherano but I would rather have Hargo and Scholes/Anderson there than them (well I suppose Mascherano and Hargo are about equal but Hargo has more skills going forward). The rest of the team are inferior (some of them are even inferior to United’s second teamers) which is why United are champs and Liverpool haven’t won the league since before I was born (well only 6 months before I was born but still…).
December 17th, 2007 @ 16:59Liverpool’s best player was Edwin Van Der Sar. That says it all.
December 17th, 2007 @ 18:23Obviously,Benitez is still a cup-coach…He will never realize what a LEAGUE means.(I don’t usually comment on other teams’ subjects but that’s so important).Last season had to chose between Stellios Giannakopoulos and Zenden and he picked Zenden.All he has in mind is the defence.How the fck will the goal come if you don’t use the space between the full backs,a thing that Zenden never did?Liverpool never does this cause they don’t have the players to do this “simple” thing….and of course they don’t have the players cause Benitez doesn’t want that kind of football or because he never buys the players he should….I believe he should have grabbed Simao or Nani or the injury-prone Maxi Rodriguez , this season.He signed Benayoun.WHY?Cause he is a hard-worker.It’s simple.If you don’t have acceptable flair in your game you will go nowhere.That’s what Liverpool and Benayoun have and that’s what Liverpool will get.
December 17th, 2007 @ 19:18Anyway,as a Manchester fan I’m celebrating my team’s win and I can admire more skillful players such as Anderson , Tevez and Rooney.
Of course I will end with this:GET RID OF CRISTIANO RONALDO!
Gerrard, Mascherano, Torres, Reina and Carragher would get into your team. Mascherano is a world class holding midfielder. Hargraves is not. Get it right. “Hargo has more skills going forward”…..AH HAHAHAHAHAHA. Do yourself a favour mate and wear your glasses next time you watch a Man Utd game. Torres is a better player than Tevez. Full stop. You can’t really compare pace with no pace, now can you. Tevez would not have been capable to do what Torres did against Marseille. Yet Torres, hell, even Kanu could have done what Tevez did against Lpool on Sunday. Utd went 26, yes 26 years without winning the title. Remember that son. 1 european cup in 20+ years for ol Fergie. Hahahaha. Don’t kid yourself, we won’t win the title this year, but its only a matter of time. AND just because Lpool won’t win this season’s title doesn’t mean Utd will automatically win it. Lest we forget…Arsenal and Chelsea will still be involved come the end. The world does not revolve around scum, no matter how much UTD fans want to convince us and more disturbingly, themselves.
Titles: 18-16
European Cups: 5-2
in Lpool’s favour.
Says it all really. Lpool have never taken 26 years between two title wins and UTD fans shouldn’t start getting wet dreams about that occuring any time soon.
December 17th, 2007 @ 19:27Gerrard, Mascherano, Torres, Reina and Carragher getting into our team? thats a holy joke. We have the best defence in the premierleague, which we proved yesterday, and your telling me Reina, Carragher and Mascherano would start in our team. I don’t think so. Gerrard wouldn’t be worth having if he can be kept quiet by a 19 year old in his first premierleague season. Although that 19 year old may prove to be one of the best players in the world in a few years, a player such as Gerrard who has been to 2 European cup Finals, should show some more ability. Instead he was embarrassed at Anfield. Torres wouldn’t start for united, he may come on as a sub and loose the head and reduce himself to outlandish long range efforts and missed open goals but he would not start for us, United. And you know what Arvin we are only a treble away from overtaking ye in terms of trophies too so i would count on spewing that fact around the place next season.
December 17th, 2007 @ 19:54“Don’t kid yourself, we won’t win the title this year, but its only a matter of time.” Ha! Not the first time I’ve hear this from a Liverpool fan. Every year you’s say you are going to win the league next season without a problem, but really with players like Kuyt and Benayoun you just wont. Your squad may be bigger than it was before but Torres was the only good buy, whereas Tevez, Anderson and Hargreaves have all been quality. We have the better manager, the better team and the better fans. Get over the fact that your teram is the most successful English team ever, in the last 20 years you have done little, we have done lots.
December 17th, 2007 @ 20:40liverpool fc.all youve got is history….what is it now,17 years?well done there arvin
December 17th, 2007 @ 20:53how long has it been since liverpool last won the league,17 years is it?well done there arvin
December 17th, 2007 @ 20:57don’t worry .. in two years more we will reach liverpool in leaugue titles… and continue winning …
December 17th, 2007 @ 21:01Liverpool is always overrated. They just don’t have enough marquee players at keey positions to challenge for the title, but they ARE getting there.
December 17th, 2007 @ 22:35Bennayoun, Pennant, Kewell, Kuyt, Sissoko and Voronin? They are NOT getting there by any means
December 17th, 2007 @ 23:18I disagree with your assessment of Kewell.
I didn’t see the game yesterday (caught the highlights), but I don’t think you can ever dismiss someone as a “decent second tier winger” based off one performance against the most intimidating defense in the premier leage, and the second most intimidating in the world, behind Inter. Also, he almost scored yesterday, but unfortunately for him, Evra was positioned superbly. Kewell played very well against Reading last week, although he was only on the pitch for a limited time. In Marseille, he was a key player, and much of what Liverpool built up was down the left, including a superb cross to kill off the game.
He has great athletic ability and technique, and I think he is one of Liverpool’s best attacking options. Unfortunately, he has been let down by his body since he came to Liverpool, but it appears he is finally regaining his health. If they could get Kewell, Babel, Torres and Gerrard on the field at the same time, supported by Alonso and Mascherano I think they would find attacking to be a lot easier.
An erroneous assessment of Kewell is the symtpom of a bigger problem. Your bias, although not obvious, clouds this article. Ruling Liverpool out of the title race based off one goal game, where Liverpool controlled posession, had two shots cleared off the line and Torres missed his header, would be foolish. Let’s remember Chelsea will not be seeing Drogba or Terry for some time now, and if any of the big four are poised for a slip-up, I feel it will be them. Liverpool have maintained touching without the heart of their team, Alonso. When he returns, we will see that they can come up with. I expect them to go on a very impressive run of form, and they should be in the picture for some silverware at the end of the season.
In terms of the league picture, this weekend leaves United in prime position.
December 17th, 2007 @ 23:19I disagree with your assessment of Kewell.
I didn’t see the game yesterday (caught the highlights), but I don’t think you can ever dismiss someone as a “decent second tier winger” based off one performance against the most intimidating defense in the premier leage, and the second most intimidating in the world, behind Inter. Also, he almost scored yesterday, but unfortunately for him, Evra was positioned superbly. Kewell played very well against Reading last week, although he was only on the pitch for a limited time. In Marseille, he was a key player, and much of what Liverpool built up was down the left, including a superb cross to kill off the game.
He has great athletic ability and technique, and I think he is one of Liverpool’s best attacking options. Unfortunately, he has been let down by his body since he came to Liverpool, but it appears he is finally regaining his health. If they could get Kewell, Babel, Torres and Gerrard on the field at the same time, supported by Alonso and Mascherano I think they would find attacking to be a lot easier.
An erroneous assessment of Kewell is a symptom of a bigger problem. Your bias, although not obvious, clouds this article. Ruling Liverpool out of the title race based off one goal game, where Liverpool controlled posession, had two shots cleared off the line and Torres missed his header, would be foolish. Let’s remember Chelsea will not be seeing Drogba or Terry for some time now, and if any of the big four are poised for a slip-up, I feel it will be them. Liverpool have maintained touching distance without the heart of their team, Alonso. When he returns, we will see that they can come up with. I expect them to go on a very impressive run of form, and they should be in the picture for some form of silverware at the end of the season.
In terms of the league picture, this weekend leaves United in prime position. They have the strength of squad to take advantage. They have suffered injuries all season, but have not been shaken from their stride. Their one irreplacable player is Ronaldo, and as long as he remains injury-free, United are my tip to win the league.
December 17th, 2007 @ 23:26Brown did quite well, he marked Kewell completely out of the game and was excellent. Ronaldo was very poor though.
December 18th, 2007 @ 02:05kewell is finally regaining his health – where have i heard that before. Its all false hope, hes never gna be the player he was.
December 18th, 2007 @ 02:22at least you can look forward to a good run in the CL. its the only reason lfc ever get to the final. they have been out of the title race by xmas. so rafa can rest players for his fav euro games. similar to what milan done last season and mst probabaly do this season. i think rafa needs to learn the term “challenging on all fronts”
The article really sums it all up nicely.
All i have to say is well don Anderson you gun
And Hargreaves controlled the midfield excellently 
December 18th, 2007 @ 02:39Taehr & Artful Lounger -
ANC ends on the 10th of February. Chelsea vs Man Utd at Stamford Bridge is in the end of April. So ummmmm…carry the 2…multiply by 7…..
Yeah, Drogba should be fit enough well in time for THAT game. So what were you guys talking about?
December 18th, 2007 @ 03:50great article…liverpool have never been contenders…they will not be one any soon..i think torres is a striker but cannot produce brilliance…we have players doing that…..kuyt is nothin striker….gerrard was outplayed by a kid…the only player for liverpool was van der saar….
December 18th, 2007 @ 08:19great article…liverpool have never been contenders…they will not be one any soon..i think torres is a striker but cannot produce brilliance…we have players doing that…..kuyt is nothin striker….gerrard was outplayed by a kid…the only player for liverpool was van der saar
December 18th, 2007 @ 08:23firstly harry kewell is far better than ryan babell!!anderson is nothing specail and trying to compare him to gerrard is crap the fact that the only other choice was the consistently shit carrick it shouldnt be a surprise that he started.
December 18th, 2007 @ 22:53man u played with five defenders the whole game hargraves being the fifth(dont know what you english see in him)scored a lucky goal out of nothing and then managed to just hang on it was one of there worst games all year.if liverpool can manage to sign another quality striker to play with torres they would beat man u easy. its time to get rid of the crap.crouch,kyut etc they simply are not good anoth to bring the title back to anfeild.also they need to sign another center half sam hypia has had his time.
I like the way that whenever Liverpoo nick a penalty they dont deserve (Everton), or get a late flukey goal (Aston Villa), its all down to tactical masterclass. When United win and defended excellently it becomes a problem with the Poo fans. Like Rio Ferdinand said:
“We were resolute all over the park. Our wide men, forwards and midfielders all defended together. That’s a sign of a team that’s strong and well bonded. That is exactly what we are. The morale in the squad is unbelievable.”
Ferdinand added: “Look at Anderson. At 19, he’s come here in central midfield and held his own. He turns defence into attack so quickly.
“He hasn’t even played the position for very long. So that bodes really well for us for the future. Tevez played really well, too. It was good for the foreign players to get their first feel of playing at Anfield and to get the taste of winning there.”
December 19th, 2007 @ 03:08@corey,
Please get you facts straigt.
First:
No-one’s even trying to compare Anderson with Gerrard. That would be silly. (I would like for a Cesc/Gerrard comparison, but that’s something else). What everybody however saw was that the Mighty SG got outplayed by a 19-year old kid.
Second:
December 19th, 2007 @ 12:38United did not defend with 5 men. They defended with 10. (It’s called teamwork). And, before you think of stating that we only came to defend, I did not see any noteworthy Liverpool attacks. (I’m not sure, did Torres perhaps play in that game?) Which means that it’s a shame that you had to play defensively as well. (And this at home!?!).
Btw corey, Liverpool’s back-4 + Mascherano = 5 defenders.
December 19th, 2007 @ 12:57What’s your point?
Re: Karl
Correction Karl! Its Liverpoo’s back 4 + Mascherano + Reina so make that 6
Liverpoo so deserved to beat United that they could not win the game at home. Liverpool did enjoy more possession but they did as little with it as Marseille achieved with the 64 per cent of the play they had in the Velodrome. It is not how much time you have with the ball that matters, it is what you do with it. And too often, Liverpool’s passing was either inept or achingly obvious.
Conclusion: Possesion however means fuck all unless you put the ball in the net, something they couldnt do especially with torres in rio’s pocket
December 20th, 2007 @ 02:26Man U were lucky. “Torres in Rio’s pocket”. Get a life famme. More like Torres was STARVED of SERVICE bitch!
December 20th, 2007 @ 21:11“More like Torres was STARVED of SERVICE bitch!”
December 21st, 2007 @ 18:08And WHY may I ask?
This then implies that Mighty Stevie G couldn’t do the job against a 19 year old. Pathetic! I think it’s more a case of Gerrard been made a bitch.
Oh well, you asked for it. I told you not to go there.
What would yu prefer?
* Torres in Rio’s pocket? or
* Gerrard been made Anderson’s bitch?
look ahmed… no i’ve never been able 2 reason with manu fans playing futbol manager…
December 21st, 2007 @ 19:02its been a case of best team losing twice now. with lfc its always been a case of 3 in a row.thus, i think we may also lose the old toilet match… but the 4th game.. just wish its cl final.. roll on.
December 21st, 2007 @ 19:08just ask arsenal…
December 21st, 2007 @ 19:10Karl once again is correct! Liverpool fans are just sore losers and they some how still think they are better then United this season. LMAO HAHAHA PFFT YEARH RITE! Torres was in Rio’s pocket & Gerrard was made Anderson’s bitch? and I could not of said it better. Thank you Karl!
December 24th, 2007 @ 02:11