We lost and we are sad because we have made a big effort… Disappointed because everything is not that it seems…

Luis Suarez

United and the “P” Word

Liverpool may have suffered another stuttering first half on Sunday, this time at Old Trafford, eventually losing the game 6 minutes from time but any kind of defining moment it is not.

Sir Alex Ferguson may have just started a one man crusade to change the dictionary definition of Berbatov from “lazy” and “flop” to “genius” since his arrival at the club (2 years on), following 90 minutes of football against their north west arrivals but outside of pride, right now, the result means very little. 3 points dropped against United is just not the catastrophic blow to an Anfield title charge anymore, its a race we are just not in, as hard as that is to accept.

While Sir Alex kindly offers some unremarkable insight and comment in to the likes of Torres, he maybe better served to pick up the dictionary again and take a look at the word “professional” which should be in Nani’s contract next to the word footballer. Nani could still be wearing the United shirt for several years to come at Old Trafford, if his agent is able to keep him away from auditioning for “Wipeout” every time a camera is in the vicinity.

People can be quick to quote history in football to support their argument or direct away from their own failings. Sir Alex should be loudly applauded for what he has achieved in football, especially with Manchester United but many of his own remarks are just that. 6 years and a lot of investment in a squad rebuild it took him to bring their own fans 26 year wait for a title to a end, something often quickly forgotten before the success developed, brushed under the carpet and no longer talked about.

Who learnt the most about themselves on Sunday is another question, whether Roy’s digestion of Liverpool’s transitional development outweighed Ferguson’s further realisation of United’s own short comings is another debate entirely, questions lie in both camps right now at a footballing level as well as financial. A team they like to refer to as also rans; nearly took them to the finish line but for lapses of lost concentration and composure as they started to find their feet in the second half.

Another disappointing outing for Maxi Rodriguez, why Fernando Torres was marking Berbatov for Utd’s first goal and too many crosses coming in from wide areas were all negatives quickly voiced about Liverpool’s performance on the day and points that should certainly be addressed but confidence can be taken in other areas. A Liverpool team with the best part of half the side having very limited training and playing time together, was always going to be a harder task than normal to expect a performance from at the likes of Old Trafford but improvement there was, even with the end result always a less than ideal one. A good performance from Gerrard, improvement from Poulsen, work rate and invention from Merieles and impact from Ngog were all there to be seen.

Hodgson may continue to be classed as a less than enterprising appointment at the Anfield helm but the manager he is and support for him is a must. Questions are certainly there to be answered at times concerning his formation and team selection but just a few games in is no time to starting drawing final conclusions on his capabilities. Whether Glen Johnson, Joe Cole or Ryan Babel will be deployed on the right flank next, or whether Daniel Agger’s playing style can eventually win over the boss remains to be seen. Once again on the day a lack of width in Liverpool’s play left them restricted in creativity, supply to the frontline and the ability to change the game at the right time tactically or from the bench a frustration. Coupled with a first half and other patches that just saw too many aerial battles and second balls being lost, they may have been the biggest causes of concern but are also very much known works in progress as the side settles. Disappointing it was but a disaster it was not.

Whilst Liverpool improved on their efforts at Birmingham, this time they walked away without a point to show for their efforts. As “P” for patience, instead of Purslow, amongst the Anfield faithful starts to become more used and irritating as the weeks go past,  a cool head must continue to overrule an aching heart. The situation of ownership at Liverpool will continue to be more defining for the club than anything that United will ever have to throw at us.

Photos - Man Utd 3 v 2 Liverpool

Photo’s from Liverpool’s 2-3 defeat at Old Trafford as they took on Manchester United on Sunday  September 19th in the Premier League.

You can alternatively few the images direct from Kop That’s Flickr feed.

Goals - Liverpool 2 v 3 Man Utd

All the goals from Liverpool’s 2-3 defeat at Old Trafford as they took on Manchester United on Sunday  September 19th in the Premier League.

1 – 0 Berbatov heads Utd in front from a corner just behalf time time

2 – 0 Berbatov grabs his second for Utd with an overhead kick

2 – 1 Gerrard sends Van Der Sar the wrong way from the penalty spot after Torres was hauled down

2 – 2 Gerrard freekick goes through the Utd wall to make the scores level

3 – 2 Berbatov completes his hat trick 6 minutes from time to win it for Utd

Image Source: Liverpoolfc.tv
Video Source: Matchhighlight.com via @nizam_dorasat

Liverpool v Man Utd Preview

Despite some different changes in fortunes over recent years, too many Liverpool v Manchester United remains the biggest game in the Premiership today, as many a Liverpool fan will agree there isn’t a victory much sweeter than that over Sir Alex Ferguson.

With Utd having made good ground on chasing down Liverpool’s trophy haul since the Premiership commenced, both sides remain locked on 18 league titles, searching for the elusive 19th which will set a new marker in English football. Utd were outpaced by Chelsea last season and Liverpool have not seen a title enter their trophy room since Kenny Dalglish was manager two decades ago.

Liverpool have seen some good victories at Old Trafford over the years, many thanks to the boot of former Red and also Roy Hodgson’s former Fulham captain, Danny Murphy. The game is normally not an encounter that Utd captain Nemanja Vidic has enjoyed too much over time, having been sent off 3 three times against the Reds the date, more than any other player has achieved against a single opponent in the Premier League. The pace of Torres causing the defender more problems than he has had answers for, arguably an impact on his mindset at times.

With neither Liverpool or Utd starting the season all guns blazing, a game such as this is more often than not a battle as opposed to an exhibition of football but the result can certainly act as a springboard to better things. Liverpool arguably not playing badly but not setting the world alight at the same time have yet to benefit from the availability of Joe Cole to find their balance and perfect their system. The former Chelsea man returns to the side today having served out his 3 game suspension, following his opening day sending off against Arsenal. The player can also call on confidence and freshness from his strike against Steaua Bucharest on Thursday after just 27 seconds of the game starting.

On the injury front Liverpool continue to miss the work ethic of Dirk Kuyt, sidelined with a shoulder injury for several weeks and left back Fabio Aurelio continues to receive treatment on a troublesome achilles. Manchester United continue with the long term sicknote of Owen Hargreaves (knee) but also add to that Michael Carrick (achilles) and the recent horrific injury to winger Antonio Valencia (broken leg/ankle) which see’s the player out for the remainder of the season.

Long term friends Roy Hodgson and Sir Alex Ferguson both made a number of changes during their European action midweek to facilitate this fixture, with Utd trying to provide a level of rest to their entire starting eleven. Liverpool will see Gerrard, Torres, Skrtel, Johnson, Poulsen, Jovanovic and Carragher all return to the side for the game.

Expected Line Ups

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Konchesky, Poulsen, Meireles, Rodriguez, Jovanovic, Cole, Gerrard, Torres

Man Utd: Van Der Sar, O’Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Nani, Scholes, Fletcher, Giggs, Rooney, Berbatov