EPL: Liverpool 0-1 Man United (16.12.07)

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Manchester United make the short trip down the East Lancs Road on Sunday to renew one of English football's fiercest rivalries as they take on Liverpool at Anfield.

It is no secret that the two North West clubs do not like each other and this year's contest, which can be seen as part of Grand Slam Sunday live on Sky Sports 1, promises to be one of the biggest battles for years.

Liverpool sit six points behind United, who trail league leaders Arsenal by one point, but they have a game in hand on their rivals and can be labelled as genuine contenders to snatch the Red Devils' Premier League crown.

United, though, have not lost to Liverpool in the league since 2004 and Sir Alex Ferguson's side will be keen to stretch their unbeaten record while also inflicting a major body blow to their Merseyside foes' title aspirations.

Comeback

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez could name Xabi Alonso in his starting line up for the first time since October following the midfielder's return to training.

Alonso, who missed six weeks earlier in the season with a broken metatarsal, has been out of action since sustaining a new foot injury in the 1-1 draw with Arsenal on 28th October, but the influential Spanish international could be fit to face United.

However, Benitez looks set to be without defender Steve Finnan after the Republic of Ireland international missed Tuesday's 4-0 win over Marseille with a calf problem.

Daniel Agger will definitely miss out as he continues his comeback from a foot injury, however Benitez is expected to stick with star striker Fernando Torres who has been singled out as a major threat by United.

Top of the table

United could return to the summit of the Premier League if they record three points against Liverpool and Arsenal slip up against Chelsea in Sunday's other crunch clash.

And United manager Sir Alex Ferguson only has new concerns over the fitness of last year's Anfield match winner John O'Shea.

The versatile United man fired an injury-time winner against Liverpool last season to send the Red Devils on their march to the title, but he is struggling with a groin strain and is expected to have to settle for a place on the bench.

Gary Neville - who tends to prove a less than popular figure on Merseyside - will be missing as he continues his comeback from a series of injury setbacks, much to the disappointment of the Anfield faithful.

Source: Skysports

[Vargas_4]

I hope Torres scores leading them to victory... that would be cool

[NJ10]

Nervous about this one as usual. I hope we play the same type of game we have been playing at Anfield of late, hope to fucking God that Gerrard turns up and that Torres keeps his form going.

if im being realistic i say a draw, if im being bold then we will sneak it 1-0 or 2-1.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Liverpool Team:
Reina; Arbeloa, Carragher, Hyypiä, Riise; Benayoun, Gerrard, Mascherano, Kewell; Torres, Kuyt

Subs:
Itandje, Aurelio, Lucas, Babel, Crouch

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Liverpool haven't beaten United on Anfield since November 2001.

[Podolski]

good luck liverpool

[Trim]

Game over!

Liverpool beaten at home by Manchester United, 1-0.

Goalscorer: Carlos Tevez, 43rd minutes.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Shame.

[Robinho4Ever]

Shit, I expected Liverpool to win ....
At least they were the better side when it came to dominating the game !! ManUtd played really bad, except some minutes of the match ....

[Mighty T.A.L.]

United was real good at defending though. Liverpool didn't create much clear chances.

[NJ10]

Bollocks bollocks bollocks.

i will post something meaningful tomorrow. too pissed off today to be of any use.

[Vargas_4]

It's a shame Liverpool didn't win. I was cheering for them. But i must admit, Ferdinand & Vidic keep the box impenetrable. And for Liverpool's misery, Owen Hargreaves had a fantastic game (FCBM Product ). After they conceded the goal, Torres nor Gerrard could find a way to find the equalizer.

[NJ10]

Torres was terrible today. His composure wasnt there and he never looked like scoring. Didnt help that he had a complete retard alongside him in Kuyt, but Torres was no better.

[verde-rubro]

Crouch should of started along side Torres

[usamu]

Originally Posted by NJ10

Torres was terrible today. His composure wasnt there and he never looked like scoring. Didnt help that he had a complete retard alongside him in Kuyt, but Torres was no better.

I think a lot of that had to do with Rio, he was brilliant today.