A game that neither dare lose

This Monday at Anfield sees the coming together of England’s two greatest teams in a match that neither player, manager or fans want to even think of losing. This match is arguably the biggest game in England Because of the rivalry and history between these two fantastic teams that have defined different generations for football fans all round the world and you never get tired of this encounter whether your neutral or cheering for someone.

 Why is it such a big match? 

There so many things that make this game so big that I could go on forever. The main reason this game is as big as it is because it’s a clash between England’s two greatest ever sides. For the last 60 years these two sides from the North West have dominated the English game winning 38 titles between them, 8 Champions Leagues, 17 FA Cups and 12 League Cups. The honours are only a part of what makes this match so big, the long history between the two city’s only add to spice in terms of culture, shipping and music. These two sides have had some of the biggest players to ever grace the game playing for them, players like George Best, Kevin Keegan, Bobby Charlton, Alan Hansen, Dennis Law, Kenny Daiglish, Graeme Souness, Ian Rush, Eric Cantona, Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Jamie Carragher, Gary Neville, Michael Owen (who played for both clubs), Roy Keane, Xabi Alonso, Robbie Fowler, Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard and Cristiano Ronaldo. This game has the incentive of huge bragging rights, neither team will want to lose this one especially both sets of fans who passionately wait in baited breath for this game on the fixture list. This game will be broadcast to many countries worldwide with loads of people watching with anticipation.

Jose Mourinho vs Jurgen Klopp: 

One big reason two watch this game is the big personalities of both managers Jose Mourinho (Man Utd manager) and Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool manager). These two have been up there with the best managers in the world over the last ten years with both having a big passion for the game and are willing to do anything to win and building teams that will die for both of them. For United boss Mourinho this is his first taste of this game, he’s been speaking well ahead of this saying that: The rivalry is nothing to compare: he has managed some of the biggest games and Derby’s in Europe including the Madrid derby, Milan derby, El Classico and Manchester derby and won a lot of these games. Mourinho is in many ways very disliked on Merseyside due to his two spells at Chelsea so managing United will put him in a different level of dislike amongst Liverpool fans but he won’t care one bit he’ll perhaps love it all. On Liverpool’s side of the pond is Jurgen Klopp a man with fiery passion on the touch line and a personality that could motivate any team. For Klopp this will be his third time in charge of this game having been in charge for a full year now. He is another big game manager who thrives off occasions like this having beaten Bayern Munich with his Borussia Dortmund team countless times and since becoming Liverpool boss beating Man Utd, Man City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Leicester and Everton. A win in this one and Klopp can start thinking about a potential title run but only if they win (you could argue the same for United).

With this game being at Anfield you’ll expect both managers to be commanding the touch line and ordering their players on the pitch to keep going and with a loud atmosphere expect both to thrive off it.

Key Player battles: 

Batte of Midfield:  

This one will be the most key battle of the whole game with both possessing a powerful midfield. In central midfield you’ll likely have Jordan Henderson vs Ander Herrera, both can be key factors for their teams. Lately Herrea has been key to United’s play, breaking up play and getting the ball to United’s creative players, his best asset will be is his endless work rate and never ending determination to keep going when something seems lost. With Henderson it’ll be a similar case of work rate but more driving forward and getting on the end of the box. Being captain will have a bigger baring on Henderson in this game when so many greats have worn the armband in the game he’ll be hoping for a good game otherwise the Kop end will verbally kill him.

Another midfield battle that’ll be worth the watch will be Phillip Coutinho vs Paul Pogba. This will be a big factor in this game with both expected to either assist goals or socre them. Coutinho has been excellent for Liverpool since joining them scoring some memorable goals and providing great assists, the little Brazilian will be called upon again to help Liverpool to another big victory and you wouldn’t be surprised if he did. With United you have the big tall Frenchman Paul Pogba who returned to United from Juventus for a world record £93.25m last summer. If Pogba can produce the early performances of his Juve ones then Liverpool will have huge task on their hands to stop him as he possess quick speed and powerful strength plus he scored a screamer for France recently which will perhaps give him tons of confidence ahead of this which might work in his favour.

The last midfield battle is a battle of the number 10’s Adam Lallana vs Juan Mata. This one will again be a key factor as both have a goals in them. Lallana’s best assets can be his energy and getting behind the forward men. Lallana has hugely benefited under Klopp since he took over and has scored more goals than he ever did under previous boss Brendan Rodgers. If payed behind the forward men Lallana will hope to get on balls outside the box and try and add to his tally this season and if he does expect him to run over to Klopp celebrating. On Man Utd’s is the litte Spanish magician Juan Mata who loves these games having scored three goals in this game including a spectacular bicycle kick which perhaps made him a United legend already, Mata’s best strengths are getting into the box passing and scoring goals. If he is played in his preferred role you would expect him to play a huge part in this game and if he does expect Mourinho to hug him afterwards and with their (supposed) history you wouldn’t be shocked.

Striker vs Defender: 

Zlatan Ibrahimovic vs Joel Matip:

Expect this one to be two of the big striker/defender battles. With United’s attack expect the big Swede Zlatan Ibrahimovic to be the leading the attack line for them, with his tall powerful strength and poacher instinct Zlatan is one the best strikers in the world and at 35 continues to get better. Zlatan in some sense is the captain without the armband and has scored goals in loads of big games throughout his extraordinary career so expect him to dominate the box for United with Marcus Rashford and Jessie Lingard/Anthony Martial operating between him. Leading the Liverpool defence will most likely be Joel Matip, the young German who arrived from Schalke on a free has been establishing himself as the anchor of the Liverpool defence and could be the glue that stops the United attack from scoring which is huge pressure on his shoulders but Germany has a very good bunch of defenders so don’t be surprised if Matip has a good game.

Sadio Mane vs Eric Bailly: 

Last but not least, this will be the quickest battle on the pitch. With Sadio Mane who has been Liverpool’s best signing at £34m combining his lethal pace with excellent finishing. Mane will be a big factor in this game if he is given the chance so expect Mourinho to devise a game plan to try and stop him. If Mane can do something special then he’ll be remembered amongst the Kop for a long time. In the United defence expect Eric Bailly to be marking Mane because of his pace and awareness to get back and mark people. Coming to Old Trafford practically unknown from Villarreal at £30m Bailly has been another good purchase already establishing himself, sometimes erratic but very good at tracking back Bailly is on his way to becoming another great centre-back at United. If he can mark Mane and stop him from running at the goal then he will get top ratings in Tuesday’s match reports, only time will tell.

Prediction: Liverpool 2-3 Man United:

I’m going for this prediction because of Mourinho’s experience as a big game manager and Liverpool’s defence. I’m going for Ibrahimovic, Rashford and Pogba to get on the scoresheet for Man United and Firmino and Mane for Liverpool. I just think the goalkeeping experience of De Gea will be vital as well, expect Mourinho to play a chess game with his team and set up to counter attack whilst Liverpool try and blitz United in the first 25 minutes. I expect this to be an enthralling game that we’ll remember but with Man United coming out on top.

We’ll find out on the night.