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Injuries to major stars are casting shadows over the Sunday clash between Liverpool and Manchester United. Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, could be missing from the big Premier League clash, as the England striker has a calf injury, which means that he may not be risked for the weekend’s big game. Alex Ferguson has stated that Rooney has an uphill battle to make the starting eleven. Liverpool have hopes that Fernando Torres will be fully fit to play up front after a recent injury, and there are still doubts of whether Steven Gerrard will be available as he limped off during the Red’s Champions League loss to Lyon in midweek.

This is a crucial game for Liverpool, as they look to halt a four game losing streak, which has sent waves of discontent ringing around Anfield. There is to be a protest on Sunday ahead of the game, with subscribers to the Spirit of Shankly Group going on a march to voice their disapproval at the owners of the club. Since Americans George Gillett and Tom Hicks took over the club, the prestigious Anfield outfit has slumped into large debts, and now, combined with the poor results, the fans are getting restless. Manchester United in contrast are in good form and will be looking to hold on to top spot in the Premier League. Closest rivals Chelsea play on Saturday, and the London side could temporarily go top by two points if they beat Blackburn. That would put some more pressure on Manchester, and add extra incentive to kick the wounded Liverpool while they are down.

Tale of the Tape:
Goalkeepers: Reina v Van der Sar. Think who you would want as the last line of defence. Despite his aging years, Edwin Van der Sar still constantly reminds the world just how good he is. He was a steal for United and has rescued them countless number of times. His back-up Ben Foster has a lot to learn in contrast to the Dutchman, and when it comes down to it, United have the edge in this department. Reina is competent of course, and has served Liverpool well, but in times of crisis you would probably back Van der Sar over him.
Man United win Goalkeeper 1-0

Defence: Clearly there needs some work doing at the back for Liverpool, as a run of four straight defeats must point to the defence somewhere. Even if it was just taken from a team point of view when it comes to defence, their duties aren’t being fulfilled. United on the other hand are stingy at the best of times. Rio Ferdinand has not looked himself since his return from injury, and while the likes of Wes Brown, John O’Shea and Jonny Evans step in, they aren’t in the same class as Rio on top of his game. Uncharacteristically United have let in far more goals at home than they have away, while it is the reverse for Liverpool. United have conceded five fewer goals in the Premier League in total. Liverpool just do not have the stand out names in their defence, depsite having two England internationals. Jamie Carragher will usually turn out a steady performance, and Glenn Johnson is more often than not blinkered in going forward and is a liability. Certainly not as cohesive as United at the back.
Man United win Defence 1-0

Midfield: Another edge for Manchester United. When you name Scholes and Giggs, then you know what you are getting. Dedicated players who have poured their heart and soul into their Old Trafford careers. They may be getting on in age, but they are vital components of a larger machine, which is the sum of all its parts. The likes of Fletcher, Anderson, Carrick and Hargreaves are not going to strike fear into opposition when they see their names on the team-sheet, but Alex Ferguson has a way of bringing out the best in players when employed in a working model. They also have a little flair in the other Portuguese winger Nani, and Ecuadorian Valencia. It may be a little unfair to say it, but Liverpool are a one man midfield. Steven Gerrard. While he is good enough to be the equivalent of two players, the only real support he gets is from Benayoun. Perhaps they do rely too much on Captain Gerrard and his absence really does highlight a problem for Liverpool in terms of drive and dedication in the middle of the park.
Man United win midfield 2-0

Strike Force: Up front is where it all counts to be honest, as goals win games. The two stand out players are both injury doubts for Sunday though. Fernando Torres is a class act for Liverpool, but, like the midfield, has to do a lot of it on his own. Dirk Kuyt has been a refreshing outlet for Liverpool since his arrival at the club, but apart from that, the striking cupboard for Liverpool is a little bare. Take out Torres and Gerrard’s contributions, and there is 11 goals of their 22 scored gone in the league. Much of the same can be said for Man United in a way. Take Rooney out of the equation and there goes the main source of goals. Liverpool have scored one more goal in the league than Man United, but United’s goals have come from a lot more players than what Liverpool’s have. Rooney is on 6 league goals, and then you have to look down the list to Berbatov and Owen for the next. It is a little hard to discern why two of the top teams are so reliant on just one striker. Tottenham for example have Defoe and Keane, Man City have Adebayor and Bellamy, Arsenal have Arshavin and Walcott (when fit), Sunderland have Bent and Jones, and Chelsea have Drogba and Anelka. Again, with Manchester United, if they have the likes of Berbatov and Owen who can chip in as part of the machine, then it can work. But losing one class striker, be it Torres or Rooney, is bound to be detrimental at some point of the season. They are the types of talent which are irreplaceable from depth. Someone else needs to carry the can.
Tied for Strike Force: 1-1

History: In the corresponding fixture last year, Liverpool beat Manchester United. In fact they beat them twice last season, and one of them was won without Torres and only 20 minutes worth of contribution from Gerrard. If there are games that Rafa Benitez will raise his troops for, then it will be the ones against United. When the Liverpool backs are against the wall, this is where, in the past they have gone against form and put in a rousing performance to breathe new hope. It is a different scenario to last season, when Liverpool were pushing hard for the title, as they are already seven points adrift of United, and another defeat would leave them with a massive 10 point deficit to try and reel in. Beach balls aside, they aren’t performing like title contenders and that will be putting pressure on Benitez. Ferguson will be wary of the wounded beast when they take to the Anfield pitch. Manchester have won five out of their last seven trips to Anfield, suffering only the one defeat, and they hold the best record against Liverpool of all English teams.

Form: Manchester definitely have the form. They are unbeaten in 11 games in all competitions. Liverpool, as has been document are on a four game losing streak in all competitions. They have fallen to seventh in the Premier League are have a real uphill struggle to make it to the next stage of the Champions League. The injuries to Gerrard and Torres will play their part, more so than United missing Rooney for a few games. Manchester United though, haven’t won in their last four attempts against any of the Big Four opposition.

Liverpool to win: 2/1 at Bet365
Draw: 23/10 at Ladbrokes
Manchester United to win: 6/4 at Totesport

Betting advice: Will Liverpool be able to raise their game in front of an increasingly anxious Kop? A victory on Sunday would be more than just a moral one over a fierce rival. It would be one that would probably turn their season around. A defeat would be somewhat disastrous and they would make the task of having to pick themselves back up, even tougher. They have a midweek game at Arsenal in the Carling Cup on Wednesday, which may compound their problems. Form and quality points to a Manchester United victory, but these are the types of games where Liverpool could sneak a win. Not here though.
Manchester United -1 Asian Handicap: 33/10 at Bet365