While the international break got more entertaining as it dragged on with Wayne Rooney overcoming Sir Bobby Charlton to become England’s all-time leading goalscorer, we’d be lying if we claimed that our punters relished the period in the Football Transfer Tavern.
Back to our bread and butter in the Premier League this weekend, what a treat is in store as Liverpool travel to arch-rivals and old foes Manchester United for the tea-time kick-off tomorrow evening.
Both locked on seven points, a lot is at stake with neither liking to give one another any encouragement in a game that will ultimately give the bragging rights to one set of supporters come Monday morning in the office.
While a draw can of course also take place, United have managed to win four of the last seven league encounters against Liverpool by a scoreline of two goals to one so Red Devils fans are feeling fairly confident heading into the big clash.
For the Reds, they were well and truly embarrassed at home by West Ham United last time out and Brendan Rodgers will be keen on keeping the fans off his back by answering that defeat in the best possible way by inflicting defeat on their less than friendly neighbours from down the East Lancs Road.
However, with many neutrals in the tavern backing United for the win this weekend, here’s five reasons why they believe Louis van Gaal will be smiling come 8 o’clock on Saturday evening.
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Click on the image below to reveal the 5 reasons why Manchester United will beat arch-rivals Liverpool on Saturday.
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Because United have won 4 0f the last 7 encounters 2-1
As referenced at the outset, Manchester United have won four of the last seven meetings with Liverpool by a scoreline of two goals to one.
With United having proved that they have the mettle to overcome their rivals by the slimmest of margins, this psychological advantage could prove vital come kick-off tomorrow evening.
Beating Liverpool 3-0 at Old Trafford last term and then 2-1 in what was virtually an unofficial play-off match for Champions League qualification last term, these two psychological blows will still haunt Reds supporters and if United go into an early lead in tomorrow’s game, Liverpool’s fans might get that sinking feeling all over again.
They’ll just have to ensure that this doesn’t transmit to their players.
Because Old Trafford is much more of a fortress again nowadays
Compared to the days of David Moyes whereby United were giving away three points like busy traffic wardens awarding speeding tickets, Old Trafford is far more of a fortress nowadays.
Losing just three times at Old Trafford last term, this record was only bettered by the three teams that finished above them in Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal so United give fewer points away at home nowadays.
Liverpool have of course won at the home of their fierce foes in the past but the 3-0 drubbing last term will be something everyone connected with the Reds doesn’t want to see a repeat of.
Because Juan Mata enjoys playing against Liverpool
Starting off his career at Old Trafford in a slow fashion, Juan Mata is now an automatic selection for the starting eleven and he solidified his reputation with Red Devils fans having struck three times against Liverpool last season.
His brace against the Reds at Anfield last term stands out as one of the greatest individual performances by a single player last season and with the Spaniard so successful against the men from Merseyside, Brendan Rodgers best get somebody to man mark the former Chelsea star tomorrow evening – just not Dejan Lovren!
Because there is current euphoria around De Gea, Rooney & Martial
With David De Gea having experienced a remarkable turnaround in signing a new deal earlier, Wayne Rooney having broken the goalscoring record with England and Anthony Martial all set to make his Red Devils debut, there is quite a lot for United fans to be upbeat about right now.
On the other side of the fence for those connected with Liverpool, no real fresh news has occurred during the international break so Red Devils fans will be bouncing into Old Trafford tomorrow full of optimism.
Hoping to create a raucous atmosphere – as it usually is against Liverpool – these three factors will ultimately ensure an essence of confidence amidst those connected with United ahead of the fixture.
Because LVG inflicted two defeats on the Reds last term
While we’ve already talked about Juan Mata helping to inflict two defeats on Liverpool last term, it would’ve also been important for Louis van Gaal who has twice proved now that he can out tactic his Reds counterpart Brendan Rodgers.
Nothing solidifies a new Manchester United managers’ reputation in the hotseat than by beating Liverpool twice in a season so the Dutchman should be incredibly clued up on how to achieve the three points tomorrow evening.
Drawing against Newcastle United 0-0 last time out at home, United will and can play better and they’ll have to be convincing because in all fairness, Liverpool were largely dominant in their last away game to top four rivals Arsenal at Emirates Stadium.
