Jota should be in Liverpool’s starting line-up again tomorrow. — AFP
WE’RE not even three weeks into the new season, and we have a blockbuster lined up this weekend – Manchester United versus Liverpool.
In the realm of English football, this rivalry stands out as the most intense. Some claim it’s the most significant rivalry in the world of football.
Regardless of where you might find your space in terms of clashing with a formidable foe, this fixture generates an untold amount of bitterness and competitiveness between the two clubs and their fans.
Some families are divided down the middle by their football loyalties: one-half Manchester United and one-half Liverpool, but it’s always seen as being just part of the game.
When Old Trafford lights up for the Reds’ visit tomorrow in the late kick-off, there will once again be a lengthy list of reasons why either team should not lose to the other.
The main reason why, and the most popular among the fans, is because this is the old enemy – and you should never lose to them. Lose to anyone else and it’s okay, but not against them.
This passion extends to the changerooms and even to management.
Therefore, tomorrow promises to be another exciting chapter in the history of English bulldog football.
What will add a decent dose of extra spice to this encounter will be Arne Slot in the away dugout and Erik ten Hag attempting to salvage some pride for the home in the wake of their embarrassing defeat at the hands of Brighton last weekend.
After his opening two league games as Liverpool manager, Slot has a 100% record, having succeeded Jurgen Klopp who quit in the off-season.
The Dutchman was gracious in his assessment of Ipswich and Brentford, whom the Reds beat in consecutive weekends.
After the Brentford victory last Sunday, Slot said they had “two good wins against two difficult opponents”.
But Liverpool’s new boss also acknowledged that there was “still a lot for us to prove” with the whole season yet to come.
Slot will surely keep his backline intact from last weekend, with Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, the centre backs, and Trent Alexandre-Arnold and Andy Robertson the wing backs.
It is the midfield that Slot might tinker with, although there is a school of thought that he’ll keep faith with Ryan Gravenberch alongside Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai playing a little further up as the No.10.
We also expect the starting frontline trio of Luis Diaz down the left, Diogo Jota, the central striker, and Mohamed Salah on the right to maintain their positions in the First XI.
Regardless of what the scoreline might look like after an hour or so, Slot would more than likely turn to his bench for changes.
The same could be said about ten Hag, with the difference being that he’ll be keen on a fast start and a more purposeful approach from his side, which should see a change or two from the start.
With Rasmus Hojlund out injured, Joshua Zirkzee, who came on in their opening two fixtures – scoring in the first one against Fulham – should start upfront, playing down the middle with Marcus Rashford and Amad patrolling the wings.
The midfield combination of Mason Mount and skipper Bruno Fernandes has its critics, and ten Hag could still sacrifice the England player.
Fernandes, for his part, is considered too important to sideline, given that he is also the team’s captain.
It will be interesting to see how Man United’s backline copes with Liverpool’s marauding strikers, who will surely be buoyed by their start this season.
The Anfield side won their two games with two goals each and did not concede any, with Diaz, Jota and Salah all finding the net.
Of course, given this fabled rivalry, which often leaves the form book to count for nothing, all this could be in vain.
This north-west derby will see Man United and Liverpool clash competitively for the 187th time. Man United have won 70 of these, and Liverpool 62, with 54 drawn.
And with this kind of early-season excitement, it could be that we will have another winner outright tomorrow, after another fiery clash.
