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Liverpool vs Manchester United Preview

Gregory Sica, January 28 2012,
Liverpool and Manchester United will lock horns in what is expected to be a fiercely-contested FA Cup fourth round tie in Anfield on Saturday.
Ryan Giggs (left) will feature in the United midfield
Ryan Giggs (left) will feature in the United midfield
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The clash will mark the first time the teams face one another since Liverpool's Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez was banned for eight matches after being accused of racially abusing Manchester United left back Patrice Evra in October.

The eagerly-awaited contest is expected to be fought out right until the death, as the fierce rivals will do their utmost to inflict defeat upon one another.

What adds an extra dimension to the clash is obviously the race row conflict concerning both sets of teams, although both clubs have played their part to ensure that the match doesn't continue to play a secondary role.

Liverpool come into the match in confident mood after having booked their ticket into the final of the Carling Cup thanks to a 3-2 aggregate victory over Manchester City on Wednesday.

The Red Devils are also full of confidence after having escaped from the Emirates Stadium with a valuable 2-1 victory over Arsenal that allowed them to move within three points of Premier League leaders Manchester City.

If previous results are any indication, the match is expected to be very evenly balanced, because the last five FA Cup ties between the sides have all been separated by a one goal difference, with two of the matches ending 2-1 and the other two ending 1-0.

While United have won the FA Cup a record 11 times, the last time they lifted the Cup was back in 2004. Meanwhile, Liverpool have won the competition 7 times with their last title triumph coming in 2006.

United boss Alex Ferguson will be forced to make several changes to his side ahead of the game, with Rio Ferdinand, Anderson, Phil Jones and Nani all having been ruled out due to a variety of different injuries.

Ferguson, who has guided United to the FA Cup trophy on five occasions during the course of his career, will likely decide to occupy the vacancy left by Nani with South Korean midfielder Park Ji-Sung, while Danny Welbeck will partner Wayne Rooney in United's intimidating attack.

Meanwhile, two-time FA Cup winner Kenny Dalglish has few selection concerns, as his only players of note to miss the match are Suarez, who is serving his lengthy ban, and fellow South American Lucas, who is likely to be out of action for the remainder of the season due to a severe knee injury.

In the absence of Suarez, Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard will be called upon for his side's inspiration.

While there is no clear favourite coming into the tie, the fact that the Reds will play their third game in the space of just a week could play to United's advantage, even if they have been plagued by injuries.

Liverpool vs Manchester United

Date: Saturday, 28 Jan 2012
Time: 07:45 ( US/Eastern )
Competition: England FA Cup
Live/Repeat: Live
Venue: Anfield (Liverpool)

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