Liverpool vs Manchester United: 5 key player match-ups
This weekend marks the welcome return of Premier League football as two giants of British football prepare to face-off when Liverpool host Manchester United at Anfield.
Matches such as these are won and lost over minor details and there will be individual match-ups all over the park. The outcome of these duels will likely be determining factors in the final result.
Both Jurgen Klopp and Jose Mourinho have had ample time to tactically prepare and will hope that their players will be able to implement those plans come Saturday lunchtime.
The international break may have forced the managers to alter their preparations with injuries to the likes of Sadio Mane & Marouane Fellaini. Both of whom would’ve been certain to appear had they been available.
As always, both managers will look to their squads to step up in the place of the absentees and will likely stress the confidence which they have in the players at their disposal:
5. Mohamed Salah vs Daley Blind:
The two couldn’t have had more contrasting experiences over the past ten days as Blind’s Holland failed to make it through qualification, whilst Salah sent Egypt to their first World Cup since 1990.
Salah has had a productive return to the Premier League since his summer switch from Roma showing that he has developed enormously since Mourinho decided he was surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge.
His pace on the break and in 1v1 situations will be a major cause for concern as Blind is not renown for being the quickest.
As Mane will be missing, Salah will likely be the main outlet ball on the right flank – particularly in transition. Failure to address his threat could lead to a problematic afternoon for the Dutchman.
Mourinho will undoubtedly have prepared for this scenario and will likely look to the likes of Marcus Rashford to assist his teammate should these situations arise.
4. Marcus Rashford/Anthony Martial vs Trent Alexander-Arnold:
Luckily for Trent Alexander-Arnold, it’s unlikely he will have to face both Rashford and Martial at the same time. The England U21 international has impressed so far in his right-back berth following Nathaniel Clyne’s long-term injury.
However, his character and ability to cope with the pair will most definitely come under scrutiny in this match and may give us a further indication as to what more is to come from him.
The reason both Marital and Rashford are included in this duel is due to the selection pattern Mourinho has used thus far.
At some point during the league matches, one has replaced the other and more often than not scored or assisted.
It’s clear that the Portuguese boss has more trust in Rashford’s willingness to help his full-back in defensive situations and given what was mentioned earlier in regards to Salah’s threat – it’s likely the Englishman will start.
He did an excellent job in this same fixture last season when United was one of the first teams to nullify Liverpool’s high-flying forward-line in what can only be described as a grim 0-0 draw.
Having said all of this, the Frenchman has been in scintillating form this season. If you were to ask Mr Alexander-Arnold who he’d rather have running at him in the dying embers of the game with the match evenly poised, it’s unlikely he’d rush to an answer.
Yet Martial comes across as the more natural, penetrating, dribbler and will no doubt have the positive imagery in his mind of his famous debut goal against the same opponents two years ago.
3. Philippe Coutinho vs Ander Herrera:
Forget the summer he’s had, forget the constant speculation which surrounds him but let us not forget what an incredible talent Phillipe Coutinho is.
The Brazilian can conjure match-winning moments from nothing. Be it a set-piece, long strike or a killer pass, Klopp and Liverpool fans will be hoping for the little magician to produce something of that ilk this weekend.
Again, depending on selection it looks increasingly likely that Herrera will regain a place in the starting line-up.
He expertly marshalled last season’s PFA player of the year in Eden Hazard – during United’s 2-0 win over Chelsea back in April.
Don’t be surprised to see him deployed in a similar role as he attempts to track the Brazilian’s movement in dangerous areas.
Let’s not forget, Herrera also grabbed an assist and a goal in that match reminding everyone of the all-action performance that the Spaniard is capable of, especially in a game of this stature.
Herrera’s midfield partner will likely be Nemanja Matic who has deservedly won a lot of praise for his outstanding performances this season.
But don’t be surprised if Herrera is the one doing the dirty work whilst Matic battles with the likes of Jordan Henderson and Emre Can to recover any loose balls in midfield and initiate attacks for their respective sides.
2. Henrikh Mkhitaryan vs Alberto Moreno:
The Armenian has amazingly had his critics this season despite a glut of league assists after just seven games – assists which have definitely warranted his selection in the starting line-up.
Despite this, some sections of United fans remain unconvinced with his performances during portions of the game where he may not be as involved in the game as some would like.
Jose Mourinho is not one for carrying players, nor is he one to be swayed by external opinions and his consistent selection shows that the player has continued to build upon the trust which the coach evidently didn’t have in him this time last year.
Besides his creativity, it’s his work-rate which has been instrumental in winning over his manager’s trust.
This aspect of his game may prove to be an important factor for two reasons:
- In helping Antonio Valencia cope with the forward threat of Alberto Moreno, who will always cause problems offensively, particularly when Liverpool’s wingers tuck in and allow the overlap.
- Due to the frequency of these forward runs from Moreno, he’s equally susceptible to leaving huge gaps in behind for Mkhitaryan to exploit.
The former Dortmund man is deceptively quicker during a dribble than when he’s off the ball.
This attribute will likely lead to him starting ahead of Juan Mata in a match where you would assume United will sit off Liverpool and try to catch them on the break.
If Moreno isn’t disciplined in his decision-making, Mkhitaryan has shown this season that he can competently find a teammate and punish the opposition.
1. Simon Mignolet vs David de Gea:
If you’ve not yet noticed, there has been no mention of either centre-back pairing nor central strikers, not because of their lack of importance but due to the fact that this game isn’t as black and white as that.
Goals in this game may come from anywhere across both teams’ forward-lines, the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Roberto Firmino will obviously pose a huge goal threat, making first goalscorer predictions a real headache.
Also, hold the laughter and outrage, the comparison between the two keepers is not based on shot-stopping, nor their dribbling ability should they decide to play rush goalie.
The comparison is more on temperament when their team comes under a spell of pressure will they be able to withstand that pressure and keep their sides in the match?
Distribution (back-passes, throws, first phase build-up play), concentration levels and nerve all play a crucial part in the big games, both will know that the slightest mistake from them will likely lead to a goal.
The Spaniard’s form has earned him a spot on the list of nominees for this year’s Ballon d’Or and has arguably transformed him into the no.1 goalkeeper in the world at the moment.
Simon Mignolet, on the other hand, has received his fair share of criticism from not only his own supporters but from neutrals as well.
The criticism doesn’t seem to affect the Belgian’s self-confidence though and it’s worth noting that his shot-stopping ability is better than most.
Should either team be awarded a penalty, both sets of fans will be quietly confident that they have a player in net who might be able to pull off heroics.
Big games are ultimately decided on moments from big players. Those moments include big saves and goalkeepers tend to be the only ones who can make them.
Having said that, it will take some performance from both players in order to keep a clean-sheet in a game which generally promises goals.