Liverpool vs Manchester United
Barclays Premier League – Sunday 1st September, 2013 (13:30 KO BST) – Anfield (45.522)
The Teams
Liverpool
Manager Brendan Rodgers ahead of the game: “It’s not just the football clubs – it’s the cities that you’re representing. It’s a game that we were unfortunate not to get something from last year; we lost the game but we’re very confident going into this game.”
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Two wins from two in the Premier League thus far (both 1-0).
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Taken to extra-time by League One side Notts County in their midweek League Cup tie.
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Kolo Toure (groin) and Joe Allen (hamstring) look likely to miss out with injuries sustained in the game.
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New loan signing, Aly Cissokho, is out for four weeks with an ankle injury and will not feature.
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Martin Skrtel looks set to return to the side.
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Daniel Sturridge has netted 4 goals in all competitions so far this season. He has scored 8 in 7 in the league.
Home record: P1 W1 D0 L0 F1 A0 Pts3
Predicted line-up: Mignolet, Johnson, Agger, Skrtel, Enrique, Gerrard, Henderson, Lucas, Aspas, Coutinho, Sturridge
United
Rio Ferdinand on the difficult trip to Anfield: “You know what it means to the people of Manchester to beat Liverpool, especially at Anfield. I’ve been lucky enough to be on the winning team in my time. To do that, and come away from Anfield with a win, is a great feeling.”
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Rafael continues to miss out with a hamstring injury picked up in the Community Shield win over Wigan.
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Jonny Evans, Javier Hernandez and Nani are back in contention after resuming training this week.
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Wayne Rooney is in line to start after impressing against Chelsea on Monday.
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“He’s looking in good condition and is mentally in good shape,” said David Moyes.
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Otherwise, Moyes has a full squad to choose from.
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An impressive performance vs Chelsea should see Tom Cleverley retain his place in the side.
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Moyes will very likely lean on experience again, with Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra, Carrick and van Persie all certain starters.
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A win will take United above Liverpool in the Premier League table.
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United have won the last three meetings between the sides 2-1.
Away record: P1 W1 D0 L0 F4 A1 Pts3
Record at Anfield: P86 W24 D20 L42 F97 A145
Predicted line-up: De Gea, Jones, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Cleverley, Welbeck, Rooney, van Persie
Officials
Referee: Andre Marriner. The 42-year-old official has taken charge of 2 Premier League matches this season, brandishing 8 yellow cards and 1 red. Was last seen by United fans during February’s 2-1 win over Reading in the FA Cup.
Assistants: S Ledger, M McDonough
Fourth Official: Phil Dowd
Recent meetings at Anfield
Liverpool 1-2 United (23-09-12) – Liverpool 2-1 United (28-01-12) – Liverpool 1-1 United (15-10-11) – Liverpool 3-1 United (06-03-11) – Liverpool 2-0 United (25-10-09)
Notes
Should be feature, Rio Ferdinand will make his 20th appearance for United against Liverpool.
Last season’s 2-1 win was United’s first at Anfield since 2007.
Robin van Persie’s penalty in the same game was only the third United have ever been awarded at Anfield (Irwin, 1999 and Byrne, 1953).
United will entertain Liverpool in the Third Round of this year’s League Cup after last week’s draw paired the two sides.
David Moyes failed to win at Anfield in 12 league and cup games as Everton manager (D7, L5).
A win will equal Moyes’ best-ever start to a Premier League season, matching the 7 points earned by Everton in the opening 3 games of the 2006/07 season.
November 2012 – The last time United failed to score in a Premier League away match (1-0 defeat at Norwich).
United are unbeaten in 13 away games in the Premier League.
Score prediction: Liverpool 1-2 United
