Aldo: Time for Reds to prove Man United are a fading force
Of all the quotes attributed to Alex Ferguson over the years, the one about
Liverpool FCand their perch is the one which always annoyed me the most.
Well, while it is too early to suggest a win for the Reds at Old Trafford on Saturday would knock Manchester United off their perch, there is no question that the roles have been reversed this season.
What an incentive for
Brendan Rodgers and his side, to go up the M62 and make a real statement that we are back, and we are a force to be reckoned with.
This time last year, United were disappearing over the hill. They were going for the title, while we were playing for pride, unable to even secure a Europa League place.
The turnaround since has been remarkable. Victory on Saturday would put us 14 points ahead of them with a game in hand. That’s an absolutely massive change in less than 12 months.
Make no mistake, there are tough times ahead for United. I wouldn’t risk writing them off just yet, but there is a huge amount of work to be done at that club, and it will take them some time to get back to anywhere near where they have been for the last 20 years.
I won’t lie, it’s nice to be able to look down the league table at them for a change. We’ve spent long enough looking up at them, after all. But football is cyclical, and nothing lasts forever. Liverpool know that better than anyone.
Ferguson had to leave United some time, and he has left a massive job to his successor.
David Moyes is a good manager, that is proven, but he has struggled to get to grips with the size of the job he was left. I have no personal issue with him, but as a Liverpool supporter I hope those struggles continue.
The key change, for me, with United is the loss of that fear factor, that they had held for so long.
Under Ferguson, the trip to Old Trafford was like visiting the gallows. Teams went there expecting to get beaten. United often didn’t have to play that well to win games.
Not any more. Ferguson has gone, the standard five added minutes are gone, the stoppage-time goals are going in at the other end, the breaks are going against them.
They’ve still got good players, but teams are going there thinking they can compete, that they have a chance of getting something from the game.
Everton, West Brom, Swansea, even Fulham, have all provided a blueprint of how to get a result at Old Trafford. And none of them are as good as Liverpool.
The key for the Reds is bold decisions, on and off the field. This game is different as for once it is us with something to lose besides pride, but if we go there in a positive mood, we will get our rewards, without question.
And maybe, if we do win, then Brendan might just make a quip about knocking United off their perch!
Allen has to start
A LOT of debate will centre on the type of team Brendan Rodgers will pick at Old Trafford, I am sure.
For me, I think
Joe Allen will start, and I can see exactly why, as well.
You need grafters when you go to places like Old Trafford, and a midfield of Allen, Jordan Henderson and Steven Gerrard is full of graft.
United struggle in central midfield, it is well documented, so I would make that part of the field as strong as possible.
If that means leaving Philippe Coutinho on the bench, then so be it. I think Raheem Sterling has to start, and Coutinho has looked a little jaded in the last couple of games.
Mind you, it’s not a bad option to have to bring off the bench, is it?
