It’s Manchester United vs Liverpool at Old Trafford in the English Premier League on Sunday. It’s third vs thirteenth, Berba vs Cole, and more…
1) Manchester United vs Liverpool: What Do Their English Premier League Statistic Reveal?
The Red Devils haven’t lost a game in all competitions so far this season, but this record is not enough to put them on top of the English Premier League. With two wins and two draws, Manchester United are third behind untouchable reigning champions Chelsea and second-placed Arsenal. Interestingly, Manchester United aren’t suffering from a goal crisis as it used to be the case a few seasons ago.
However, it’s their defense and their mental state perhaps that need to come under scrutiny. Aside from beating both Newcastle United and West Ham United 3-0 on match-day one and match-day three respectively, the Red Devils have been vulnerable in the latter stages of their matches against Fulham and Everton.
But one may point out the fact that Manchester United’s shocking and disappointing draws in the English Premier League occurred away from Old Trafford. Indeed, the former Premiership winners are building a great record at home this season; that’s what six goals, two clean sheets, and six maximum points seem to reveal, at least.
On the contrary, Liverpool’s away form in the English Premier League has suffered an early setback. The Merseyside Reds lost 3-0 at the City of Manchester Stadium in their first non-home game before taking only a point from Birmingham last weekend.
Manchester United are actually expected to display a strong performance as they aim to build on their first two marvelous results at home. So what kind of formation and tactics will Roy Hodgson need to apply to turn around Liverpool’s poor away condition? When will Liverpool clinch their first full points away from Anfield in the English Premier League? At Old Trafford against Manchester United on Sunday, perhaps…
2) Manchester United vs Liverpool: The Dimitar Berbatov vs Joe Cole Battle
When was the last time since Joe Cole appeared for Liverpool in the English Premier League? Ironically, the answer is, ‘when he featured for the first time for the Reds’. The ex-Chelsea midfielder received a red card on the opening day of the season when Liverpool hosted Arsenal and thus had to serve a three-match ban.
But in the Europa League in midweek, Joe Cole proved what he was made off as his 1st minute goal powered the 2005 Champions League winners to a 4-1 victory. The English international is now anxious to make his return for Liverpool against Manchester United as he declared on the club’s website:
“It’s been a long time [since I played in the EPL] and the suspension just seemed to last for ages. So, I just want to get back into it now.”
Likewise, Manchester United will welcome back a player; Dimitar Berbatov – who put Manchester United 3-1 up before they drew 3-3 against Everton – should return into the team’s starting lineup. The Bulgarian was dropped from the squad that played out a goalless draw at home to Rangers in the UEFA Champions League, but fans will hope that he keeps his encouraging form.
So between Joe Cole and Dimitar Berbatov, which player is likely to have the best game on Sunday afternoon?
3) Manchester United vs Liverpool: Fernando Torres’ Time?
If Liverpool should beat Manchester United and enjoy a better season, it would be through Fernando Torres; that’s according to Ray Houghton. As he talked to talkSPORT, the Liverpool legend shared his opinions with the media and the public:
“Fernando Torres is key. If he can get back to the way that he was last season, where he was scoring goals for fun, this game could just kick star their season.
“There’s obviously a lot of pressure on him [Fernando Torres] to produce, but he has done it before. He has given Vidic a torrid time on a number of occasions, and this could be another time.”
The Red Devils haven’t lost a game in all competitions so far this season, but this record is not enough to put them on top of the English Premier League. With two wins and two draws, Manchester United are third behind untouchable reigning champions Chelsea and second-placed Arsenal. Interestingly, Manchester United aren’t suffering from a goal crisis as it used to be the case a few seasons ago.
However, it’s their defense and their mental state perhaps that need to come under scrutiny. Aside from beating both Newcastle United and West Ham United 3-0 on match-day one and match-day three respectively, the Red Devils have been vulnerable in the latter stages of their matches against Fulham and Everton.
But one may point out the fact that Manchester United’s shocking and disappointing draws in the English Premier League occurred away from Old Trafford. Indeed, the former Premiership winners are building a great record at home this season; that’s what six goals, two clean sheets, and six maximum points seem to reveal, at least.
On the contrary, Liverpool’s away form in the English Premier League has suffered an early setback. The Merseyside Reds lost 3-0 at the City of Manchester Stadium in their first non-home game before taking only a point from Birmingham last weekend.
Manchester United are actually expected to display a strong performance as they aim to build on their first two marvelous results at home. So what kind of formation and tactics will Roy Hodgson need to apply to turn around Liverpool’s poor away condition? When will Liverpool clinch their first full points away from Anfield in the English Premier League? At Old Trafford against Manchester United on Sunday, perhaps…
2) Manchester United vs Liverpool: The Dimitar Berbatov vs Joe Cole Battle
When was the last time since Joe Cole appeared for Liverpool in the English Premier League? Ironically, the answer is, ‘when he featured for the first time for the Reds’. The ex-Chelsea midfielder received a red card on the opening day of the season when Liverpool hosted Arsenal and thus had to serve a three-match ban.
But in the Europa League in midweek, Joe Cole proved what he was made off as his 1st minute goal powered the 2005 Champions League winners to a 4-1 victory. The English international is now anxious to make his return for Liverpool against Manchester United as he declared on the club’s website:
“It’s been a long time [since I played in the EPL] and the suspension just seemed to last for ages. So, I just want to get back into it now.”
Likewise, Manchester United will welcome back a player; Dimitar Berbatov – who put Manchester United 3-1 up before they drew 3-3 against Everton – should return into the team’s starting lineup. The Bulgarian was dropped from the squad that played out a goalless draw at home to Rangers in the UEFA Champions League, but fans will hope that he keeps his encouraging form.
So between Joe Cole and Dimitar Berbatov, which player is likely to have the best game on Sunday afternoon?
3) Manchester United vs Liverpool: Fernando Torres’ Time?
If Liverpool should beat Manchester United and enjoy a better season, it would be through Fernando Torres; that’s according to Ray Houghton. As he talked to talkSPORT, the Liverpool legend shared his opinions with the media and the public:
“Fernando Torres is key. If he can get back to the way that he was last season, where he was scoring goals for fun, this game could just kick star their season.
“There’s obviously a lot of pressure on him [Fernando Torres] to produce, but he has done it before. He has given Vidic a torrid time on a number of occasions, and this could be another time.”
