Former Liverpool player and current football pundit Alan Hansen has given his opinion about Saturday’s lunch time kick-off between Liverpool and Manchester United.
The Merseyside Reds haven’t lost in the English Premier League on home soil. They began their journey with a 1-1 draw against Sunderland. They pursued their unbeaten record at Anfield with a 3-1 win over Bolton Wanderers before earning a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Wolves. In an article in LFC Magazine, Hansen wrote:
“Another potentially important factor is the Anfield atmosphere on Saturday. I was at the Bolton game at Anfield in August and while, with all due respect to them, Bolton will never be the biggest game of the season, the atmosphere was electric.
“I don't think Manchester United's players will be frightened by the noise levels on Saturday, but Liverpool's players could be inspired by it.
“If you're playing in that sort of atmosphere and you know the crowd is right behind you it definitely gives you an edge.
“On Saturday, Kenny would love the crowd to be in full voice and for Anfield to be bouncing because when it is, there is simply nowhere better.”
In an interview with the Daily Mirror, Wayne Rooney echoed Hansen's thoughts about Liverpool's home crowd by stating:
“Anfield is always for me the toughest place to go and win a game. They’ll be pushing to get into the top four and, with the signings they’ve got, they’re capable of doing that.
“We’ll have to be aware of them and try and beat them this time.”
But Kenny Dalglish downplayed the importance of this weekend’s clash in Liverpool. Speaking to reporters, the manager was quoted as saying:
“People say this is the biggest game of the season but I don't look at any game as being big or small. It's another game, another three points for a win.
“The only difference this time is the fact that, if we win, we will move a bit closer to them. It's an opportunity to help yourself and dent their chances at the same time.”
Liverpool are fifth in the English Premier League with 13 points from a possible 21. Manchester United are 6 points above them and they occupy the first spot.
“Another potentially important factor is the Anfield atmosphere on Saturday. I was at the Bolton game at Anfield in August and while, with all due respect to them, Bolton will never be the biggest game of the season, the atmosphere was electric.
“I don't think Manchester United's players will be frightened by the noise levels on Saturday, but Liverpool's players could be inspired by it.
“If you're playing in that sort of atmosphere and you know the crowd is right behind you it definitely gives you an edge.
“On Saturday, Kenny would love the crowd to be in full voice and for Anfield to be bouncing because when it is, there is simply nowhere better.”
In an interview with the Daily Mirror, Wayne Rooney echoed Hansen's thoughts about Liverpool's home crowd by stating:
“Anfield is always for me the toughest place to go and win a game. They’ll be pushing to get into the top four and, with the signings they’ve got, they’re capable of doing that.
“We’ll have to be aware of them and try and beat them this time.”
But Kenny Dalglish downplayed the importance of this weekend’s clash in Liverpool. Speaking to reporters, the manager was quoted as saying:
“People say this is the biggest game of the season but I don't look at any game as being big or small. It's another game, another three points for a win.
“The only difference this time is the fact that, if we win, we will move a bit closer to them. It's an opportunity to help yourself and dent their chances at the same time.”
Liverpool are fifth in the English Premier League with 13 points from a possible 21. Manchester United are 6 points above them and they occupy the first spot.
