Considered as one of the oldest and fiercest rivalries, Manchester United and Liverpool are set to launch their 2008/2009 Premier League campaign with contrasting mentalities. While the defending English Premier League and European champions are regarded as the hot favourites to defend their title for the second season in a row, the Merseyside club would be trying to chase the likes of United, Chelsea and Arsenal for the first domestic league title since 1990.
When it comes to Premier League face-offs between the two bitter Northwest rivals, Liverpool has the worst record in the last eight meetings with Manchester United winning on seven occasions and one match ending in a draw. Well, it could remain that way in the coming season until and unless Rafa Benitez changes his style of play against Sir Alex Fergusson’s ‘dream team’.
As far as the league is concerned, Liverpool have to deliver something note-worthy to the passionate fans of Anfield. The Merseyside club might have been successful in Europe and domestic cup competitions over the past few years, yet the Reds need league glory to quench the thirst of a long starving fan base.
There have been some important summer signings by Rafa Benitez over the closed season, most notably being the inclusion of Robbie Keane from Tottenham. The arrival of David Ngog has also added firepower to a Fernando Torres-dependent strike force. It remains to be seen how Keane and Torres develops their chemistry in the due course of what is expected to be a grueling and highly charged 2008/2009 season.
The main aim in signing Keane is to reduce the workload of skipper Steven Gerrard. Far too many times, the inspirational England midfielder had been overburdened by Mr.Benitez last season. A free Gerrard could wreak havoc against any opposition on any day, given his uncompromising attitude. Yet to me, Manchester United looks like the strongest team mentally, physically and technically.
As I write this article, news are pouring in about the imminent arrival of Dimitar Berbato to Old Trafford in the next forty-eight hours. As and when the deal gets completed, Sir Alex would have made his United a far more formidable attacking side in the Premiership.
With the Red Devils kicking off against Newcastle United at home on Sunday, Liverpool face a tricky Saturday tea-time trip to the North east to face an ambitious Sunderland side managed by former Manchester United legend Roy Keane.
Benitez needs to watch out for Sunderland and hope that Liverpool do not start the Premier league in a negative note as has been the case many times before. To compete with the likes of United and Chelsea, Liverpool need momentum early in the season.
For this to happen, Rafael Benitez should keep a settled team rather than go for his infamous ‘tinckering’. The Liverpool fans deserve more than what Rafa Benitez, Tom Hicks and George Gillet have been offering over the past years.
The upcoming Manchester United-Liverpool face-offs could be crucial but one feels that it would be the same story just like last year with United making a double of their fierce rivals until and unless Torres, Gerrard, Keane, Mascherano and company get their acts right along with a pretty unsettled Spanish manager.
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