Written by Shahan Ahmed
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September 21, 2012

North West Derby: Manchester United vs Liverpool

Seventeen year-old Raheem Sterling has reportedly impregnated a woman. It would be his third child. Raheem Sterling has created more children than Liverpool has points this season, the joke goes. Whatever there is to be said about that young man’s extracurricular activities, the boy can play. He gets the ball, he challenges his opponents, he does a stutter, he does another, and then he goes by his man. Yes, that boy can play. Raheem Sterling is the most exciting Liverpool player, and he is involved in seemingly every substantive Reds attack.


Putting a Bib on will means something totally different for this kid

Liverpool is on the right path. Sterling is the future, and at the moment, he is the present. The squad is not perfect, but the manager has the right idea and attitude. Liverpool may not finish top four, Liverpool many not win trophies, but Liverpool is playing good football. Liverpool is improving and showcasing talent and youth. Sound like someone? Arsenal, maybe?

Yup, Liverpool is on its way to becoming Arsenal. Arsenal, after all, is a club that plays entertaining football and regularly competes in the Champions League. Wouldn’t that be an improvement on what Liverpool currently is?

To be clear, Liverpool is an underachiever and has not won the English first division in over two decades.

With two points after four rounds, all is not well at Liverpool Football Club. This weekend, though, Liverpool faces Manchester United, and the Reds are the bookmakers’ most likely winners. AccuScore does not agree.

The AccuScore computer thinks Manchester United should be 44.4% to win this weekend, well above where the bookmakers currently have it—35.2%. To be fair, the bookmakers are not exactly convinced by Liverpool, giving Liverpool only the slightest of edges—Liverpool is 36.3% to win by the oddsmakers’ calculations. This minor advantage is due to how poor United has been at Anfield.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s men played the Reds three times last season, twice at Anfield. Neither match on Merseyside resulted in a Manchester United victory. Since the 16th of December, 2007, Liverpool has not lost a match to Manchester United in any competition with the KOP on hand . Anfield, truly, is sacred ground when United comes to town.

Regardless of the manager and regardless of the current state of affairs, the two most successful clubs in the history of English football are about to go head-to-head in front of some of the loudest and liveliest supporters in the world.

The moment a Liverpool supporter walks into Anfield, the Reds in his eyes and the Reds in his shirt bleeds out the Reds in his voice, and the Reds may even curse. The Reds may claim Merseyside, but they do not proclaim mercy—certainly not when the United comes to town with Fergie. With Hillsborough finally brought to justice, Anfield is more united than ever. Emotion will be overflowing after United supporters chanted deplorable words last weekend about the disaster that took nearly 100 lives back in 1989.

It is fitting, then, that a united Liverpool must overcome a Manchester United for new manager Brendan Rodgers to earn his first league win with the Reds. Much like Whitney Houston, Rodgers has been waiting to exhale for far too long. If he is winless after five rounds, his Liverpool career may run out of air and join Whitney Houston in the past tense. Rodgers needs a win.


Suarez and Evra during happier times...yup, that was 'happier'

For Sir Alex, the season is at the start of a long journey he knows well. United is one point off the pace after four rounds, and so, this is where United belongs—fighting for the title from the outset. With Robin Van Persie fit, goals are raining in. However, United’s weakness is in a thin and injured defense.

Injuries have ruled out the likes of Phil Jones and Chris Smalling for an extended period. Ferdinand and Vidic are far from the dominant forces they were two seasons ago, a byproduct of injuries both have suffered. Simply put, Rafael is not a good right back. The holes are there, but Ferguson’s tactics have a habit of hiding holes and finding opponents’ weaknesses.

Liverpool certainly has weaknesses, but the strength of Anfield will be behind the Reds on Sunday. The North West derby, as this fixture is often called, contains plenty of drama. It’ll be another weekend of analyzing handshakes and revisiting racial lip reading before the match, but after the first whistle, it should be another classic English Premier League fixture: Manchester United versus Liverpool from Anfield.

Director’s Picks:

Our Director of European football is 5-4 on the season after pulling off a 3-0 weekend last weekend. Now, he’s up to +183 in profit and he’s got 3 more picks (1 Free for Everyone & 2 for members only)

1. Manchester United to win at Anfield at 2.700 - Winner!

I don’t like this pick, but it is hard to argue against value. A streak is only there to be broken, after all. United played on Wednesday, and Liverpool played on Thursday, so neither team is feeling extra fresh entering the derby. However, making picks is in the margins, and Liverpool played on Thursday in Switzerland while United played on Wednesday at Old Trafford. Even with Rodgers resting many regulars, United has a clear advantage, and the odds are pretty hard to pass on.

2. Fulham vs Wigan Athletic: Over 2.5 goals at 2.040 - WINNER!

This is a computer trends pick. The computer is a perfect 4-0 in picking over in matches involving Fulham this season. The computer is also a perfect 3-0 in picking Totals for Wigan this season. Overall, with the record being a combined 7-0 involving over/unders for these two teams and better than even odds on offer, this is a smart play.

Members, log in now to see the final of this week’s picks. Everyone else, Join Now! :

3. Napoli to win away to Catania at 2.380

To this point, Napoli is the only real contender for Juventus’ Serie A title. AC Milan is a broken side, Inter Milan needs to learn to win at the San Siro, and Roma is still inconsistent. Catania lost 2-0 away to Fiorentina last weekend and has had a week to think about the defeat. If Napoli is truly a contender, this is the type of test Napoli needs to pass. At better than even odds, this is the type of value that is hard to pass.