Even with the excellent run of form we’re in, it’s hard not to worry whenever Liverpool run out against Manchester United. You can chalk up the extra anxiety to how important this match will be in terms of securing Champions League football for next season, but at the end of the day, that’s a side-note.
A mere two points behind their fierce rivals with everything left to play for, a win tomorrow would see the Reds jump into fourth place. That in itself was a mere pipe dream in the middle of December when we lost the return fixture by three answered goals, leaving us languishing mid-table. As well publicized and documented as our miraculous turn around has been, with all due respect, we’re still in the weeds even after picking up an astonishing 33-points out of the last 39 available. It wouldn’t kill our chances completely, but a loss tomorrow would be a major blow.
Then again, regardless of league position or extenuating circumstances, when isn’t a loss to United a serious downer? We could be top of the table and they could be bottom or vice versa and there’d still be that same burning desire to win, and arguably stronger, that same fear of failure. It’s only worth three points just like the rest of them, but in terms of what it means to the fans, you just can’t measure it; but I don’t have to tell you that — regardless of allegiance — now do I?
As the kids say, it’s about to get real.
Red Devils boss Louis van Gaal will still be without defender Jonny Evans as the 27-year old continues his ban for spitting at Newcastle United striker Papiss Cisse, but the Dutchman will once again have fullbacks Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo at his disposal as the pair return from their respective injuries. Neither will be fit enough for the starting eleven and if they’re involved at all it’ll likely be from a bench that could very well also include Robin van Persie.
Rumour has it that the Dutch striker is also set to return from injury, but if that’s all a bunch of hooey, in the very least van Gaal will be able to call on record signing Angel di Maria with the Argentine available again after a one-match ban — though the United manager may hesitate to tinker with his line-up too much following the impressive outing against Tottenham Hotspur last weekend. That being said, beating a poor Spurs side at home is a vastly different prospect to winning away at Anfield.
With Lucas returning to full training and Mario Balotelli available again following a bout with a bug, Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has almost a full strength side to call on, but neither of those players will be grabbing any headlines ahead of this one. With long serving skipper Steven Gerrard set to play what could very well be his last match against the Reds bitterest rivals, the real question is whether or not they’ll be a place in the starting eleven for him tomorrow. While suggestions that the side look far more settled without the Captain in it may get Rodgers hackles up, it’s hard to deny that they haven’t struggled all too much without their fading talisman and that changing a winning side could prove to be the undoing of this fantastic run.
Or, maybe our memories are too short. Sentiment is one thing, but the manager has shown that he knows exactly when to shake things up — case in point being the win over Manchester City just over a fortnight ago when Daniel Sturridge dropped to the bench in place of Raheem Sterling and we made the defending champions look decidedly amateur. There have been calls for Rodgers to do the same tomorrow with United struggling in the past to cope with a strong, relentless pressing game, but there’s no question that he already has a plan in place and that he’s not about to tell us about it. That’s just the way it is.
And, so, we’re left with the anxiety. I don’t need to talk ship canals, music feuds, European Cups or league titles to get my point across. If you’re reading this, you can probably relate whether you want to admit it or not. With all the football left to play, this won’t decide the race for fourth, nor will it even decide whether one qualifies for the Champions League or the other. To be fair, both could still make it with the table as tight as it is, but that doesn’t matter.
Three points or not, we just want to put one over on the opposition and that’s what makes it equal parts ecstasy and apprehension. It’s the twisting stomach just before kick-off and the quiet feelings of doubt that manifest themselves even in the middle of a winning streak that make this just as exciting as it is nerve racking. I don’t think I’d change a thing, but that’s not to say I’m not relieved when it’s over…especially when we’ve just stuffed ’em.
–Steven
