Match Preview: Manchester United vs Liverpool

Old Trafford, Manchester

Wednesday 25th September 2013 – KO 7:45pm Live on Super Sports

Referee: Mark Clattenburg, Assistants: S Beck, S Child, Fourth Official: L Probert

After a disappointing derby defeat at the weekend, Liverpool visit Old Trafford tonight and present the perfect opportunity for Manchester United to banish the woes from Sunday.

The 4-1 thrashing at the weekend was a bitter pill for United fans to swallow. City completely played us off the park and in many respects, it was worse than the 6-1 loss to City but it is now in the past and United need to move on.

The Capital One Cup may not be a priority this season but the game against City means it has taken on an increased significance. The fact that it is against Liverpool only adds to that. Brendan Rodgers is likely to see the competition in a similar fashion after they lost against Southampton at the weekend.

Rodgers has a number of injury worries especially in the full-back areas with Glen Johnson and Jose Enrique both missing Saturday’s defeat to Southampton. Steven Gerrard could be rested but Luis Suarez is back after serving his ten match suspension for biting Branislav Ivanovic.

For United, Robin van Persie is ruled out with the thigh strain which kept him out of the derby. Jonny Evans, Shinji Kagawa, Nani and Chicharito are all likely to play some role in the match as they are all in need of game time. Moyes acknowledged that the competition is also great for blooding young players so Wilfried Zaha and the exciting Adnan Januzaj could feature too.

When the two sides met three weeks ago, Liverpool emerged victorious. After doing the double over Liverpool last season, it is important that United look to avenge the league defeat and get back in the groove ahead of a period which will see United go on a run of winnable games that could shape the season ahead.

Games against Liverpool are typically tense affairs and with both sides coming into the match off the back of disappointing defeats, a fiercely competitive spectacle seems inevitable even if it is only the Capital One Cup.

Players to watch:

Wilfried Zaha: The England winger could make his debut at Old Trafford in the competition where he first caught former manager Sir Alex Ferguson’s eye. The winger made United pay in that match two years ago with Crystal Palace winning 2-1 with Federico Macheda scoring the only goal for United. Many United supporters have been waiting for David Moyes to play him, but six matches into the season, we are still yet to see him play. He has of course played in the FA Community Shield against Wigan Athletic at Wembley last month. With United’s problems on the wing this season, Zaha could be that ray of light we are looking for.

Luis Suarez: The Uruguayan striker will make his return to action for Liverpool in the Capital One Cup after sitting on the sidelines follow his 10 match ban for biting Branislav Ivanović last season. Suarez, despite his tendency to dive and constantly wave his hands, is a great footballer. Some of his free kicks are pure genius. Watching him in the Confederations Cup this summer against Brazil, the free kick he scored was sublime. Liverpool have made do with Daniel Sturridge so far this season, with the England striker currently the clubs top scorer.

Prediction: Manchester United 2-1 Liverpool