Its a big change from when Rafa Benitez was Liverpool manager, his relationship with Fergie was far more strained. Make no mistake though, the two will put their friendship on hold, and on the pitch, and in the stands, there will only be acrimony. It is the biggest fixture of the season – similar to El Classico or the Derby d’Italia.
It doesn’t matter how either side is doing – which is fortunate, as both sides have been all over the place. Man United are coming off the back of a collapse against Everton last week, and a draw with Rangers midweek in the Champions League, while Liverpool’s Jekyll and Hyde performances have seen a struggle to get a point against Birmingham, followed by a 4-1 win in midweek.
Fergie has said that this fixture is “the one” and that no English fixture compares to it, and he’s right. In the playgrounds at school everyone had a team, and also cheered on either Man United or Liverpool when the sides met. The preference might change for whatever reason, but most supporters will want one side or the other to win, regardless of how their team is doing on Sunday.
I’ve written before on the history of the derby, and a couple of years ago I said the striking thing about the two sides is the similarities. The Working Class, Anglo-Irish, Industrial, rich in culture, rich in football success similarities. This year in particular, the similarities seem particularly pertinent.
Both clubs are currently owned by Americans, but not the fun kind. Both clubs have been saddled with the debts of their clubs owners and while Man United supporters wear Green and Gold to defy the club’s ownership, Liverpool are currently in a power struggle, with the owners effectively being told to get the hell out, but with Hicks in particular desperate to cling on.
Both clubs have worries about their future on the field as well. There has been a weird feeling over the last couple of years, that the “Man United Era” of the Premier League might be beginning to wind down. They’ve been such a dominent force over the last 20 years that it genuinely is hard to imagine, but the immediate future doesn’t look quite as bright as the immediate past.
Last season was a disaster for Liverpool fans, and with the rise of Manchester City and Spurs, has raised plenty of questions about Liverpool’s status as a member of the Big Four. I think the “Big Four” will always be Man United/Chelsea/Arsenal/Liverpool, but the Big Four won’t always be the sides in the Champions League.
All of this makes the early-season derby more fascinating. Both sides could use a win as a real jolt towards the top. Its impossible to overstate how much the fixture means to both clubs, and winning for either side will be a massive boost over the coming weeks.
Fernando Torres, who has been struggling for form a little, surely must be looking forward to this game more than most. He has a great record against Man United, and if anything can boost his season back up to becoming the talisman Liverpool need him to be, a goal or two against United, at Old Trafford would surely do it.
Similarly, Wayne Rooney has gone through a well publicised rough spell. For an ex-Everton player as well, to score the winner against Liverpool would surely be the result he needs. He’s going to come in for a lot of abuse from the crowd I’m sure, and it’ll be interesting to see how he reacts.
I honestly can’t wait, it is going to be absolutely huge.
Category: Liverpool, Manchester United
Tags: Arsenal, Big Four, Chelsea, Derby, Gerrard, Liverpool, Man United, Manchester United, North West, Rooney, Torres« How Far Will English Sides go in the CL This year? | Home | Subscribe
Share.wp-notable img {border: none;margin-left:5px;}
Leave a ReplyIf you have not commented here before, please take a moment to peruse our
Commenting Guidelines. Connect with your Facebook Account
Name (required)
Mail (will not be published) (required)
Website
Follow Us
Already candidates for succeeding Capello are stepping forward Fabio Capello WILL Step down after Euro 2012 Two games, Two wins. Where from here? more news... Search The Offside
Related Links
Categories 10 Things We Learned5 Reasons WhyBig FourBloggersCarling CupClubsConfession BoxEngland National TeamEPL LegendsEPL NewsEPL RamblingsFA CupFantasy Premier LeagueFixtures and ResultsFlashbackHeroes and VilliansLiveblogManagerial Merry-Go-RoundPhoto of the DayPlayer AwardsPremier LeaguePromotionRelegationRewind: Weekly RoundupSecond ThoughtsTeam of the WeekTransfers and SpeculationUncategorized
Send Your Tips! Found a great story, photo or video that's perfect for The Offside?
Email epl[at]theoffside[dot]com
LATEST COMMENTSTen Things We Learned From the Premier League This Weekend
iphone 4g: Im going to say what everyone else have not said above, but i must say ,Your are truly well-inform ... [read more] Clubs might complain, but Player Power will stay until they make a stand
xiuli: ===== http://www.shoptrade.us ====Air jordan(1-24)shoes $30Handbags(Coach l v f e n d i d&a ... [read more] So Houllier at Villa. Will he be a success?
xiuli: ===== http://www.shoptrade.us ====Air jordan(1-24)shoes $30Handbags(Coach l v f e n d i d&a ... [read more] The Void of Westcountry Football, and why its tragic
xiuli: ===== http://www.shoptrade.us ====Air jordan(1-24)shoes $30Handbags(Coach l v f e n d i d&a ... [read more] The Void of Westcountry Football, and why its tragic
Sarah: "My youth is dominated by watching football involving teams from nowhere near where I live – often ... [read more] The Void of Westcountry Football, and why its tragic
Ethan: Great piece, Rob! I'm retweeting it... 10 Things We Learned From the Premier League this weekend
Ronnie Ricky: If I were Dan Henning I'd use Brandon Marshall in the slot more. I'm not sure he'll like playingas a ... [read more] The Void of Westcountry Football, and why its tragic
Mustafa: Very good article Rob... I always liked looking at those maps that pinpoint where every team in the ... [read more] Ten Things We Learned From the Premier League This Weekend
Jason Chen: Hi Friend , I find an amazing web: http://www.gotopick.com , The website wholesale for many kinds of ... [read more] Ten Things We Learned From the Premier League This Weekend
Brenton: Ask Diaby if he feels the ref protected him from the horror tackle by Robinson that could have been ... [read more]
Archives Select Archive Month September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008
About The Offside | Advertise on The Offside | Privacy Policy
Top Content: Football Match Tickets | Football Kits for Sale | English Premier League | Italian Serie A | Spanish La Liga | German Bundesliga | French Ligue 1 | Major League Soccer | Europa League Groups | Champions League Groups | Travel to Europe for the Champions League | UEFA Champions League Tickets
Related information: EPL Football Shirts | England Jerseys | Arsenal | Liverpool | Chelsea | Manchester United | Fernando Torres | Didier Drogba | Chicharito
© BootsnAll Travel Network - All rights reserved
EuropeEngland: PremiershipEngland: ChampionshipEngland: League One England: League Two FranceGermanyGreeceHollandItalyPolandPortugalRussiaScotlandSpainTurkeyAfricaEgyptTunisiaAustraliaSouth AmericaArgentinaBrazilColombia North AmericaMexicoMLSNPSLUSLWomen's SoccerCup CompetitionsChampions LeagueEuropa LeagueCopa LibertadoresCopa SudamericanaPlayersJozy AltidoreAlberto AquilaniDavid BeckhamGianluigi BuffonAntonio CassanoAlessandro Del PieroDaniele De RossiCesc FabregasSteven GerrardPippo InzaghiKakaLionel MessiMidoCristiano RonaldoRonaldinhoFrancesco TottiSoccer Betting | World Cup 2010
Plan Your Soccer Travels | Soccer TicketsClose X
Home 
World 
Europe 
English Premier League 
StoreTravelScores 
England: PremiershipEngland: ChampionshipEngland: League OneEngland: League TwoEngland: ConferenceFranceGermanyGreeceHollandItaly PolandPortugalRomaniaRussiaScotlandSpainTurkeyUkraineChampions League | Europa LeagueClose X
No comments:
Post a Comment