Ah, the good old days.
The ancient days.
Liverpool versus Manchester United used to be a collision of two forces that the world would stop to watch almost in nervous anticipation.
Even in recent history, despite the lack of league success on Merseyside, Anfield and Old Trafford were still hosting clashes of superpowers. Roy Keane and Steven Gerrard were still throwing down. Ruud van Nistelrooy and Sami Hyypia were doing battle. Fernando Torres and Vidic.
Granted, there have been plenty of duds scattered through this fixture over the years but not quite like what both outfits are boasting in present day.
Liverpool and United come head to head for the first time in European competition on Thursday night and the duels that could win or lose the tie is nothing short of sad.
Marcus Rashford v Dejan Lovren
The 18-year-old uncapped England international is leading the Manchester United line with all the experience and distinction of a man who has made four senior appearances in his career. Louis van Gaal will rest easy knowing that the club’s European fate, their derby pride and his own job is in the hands of a player who, in fairness, has been performing consistently at the top for almost three weeks now.
To stop him, Liverpool have Dejan Lovren.
I know.
Jesse Lingard v Alberto Moreno
It says a lot that Alberto Moreno is going into a clash with a Manchester United winger and he’s by far his superior.
This isn’t going to be so much a ding-dong battle as it will be a clash of two potshot masters.
Lingard is suspended for the first leg, Memphis Depay might replace him…
So basically it’s safe to assume that Moreno doesn’t have his work cut out for him in the Europa League tie. He doesn’t even have it penciled across the back of a cardboard box as a guideline to where you could cut it out if you were really bothered. We won’t be talking about this clash in years to come. This will not be the Cristiano Ronaldo v Ashley Cole of our generation.
It better not be.
Memphis Depay v Divock Origi
A lot of games are won from the bench. This one won’t be.
Simon Mignolet v Aerodynamics
The Liverpool goalkeeper is still getting to grips with physics and how his own body moves.
Often the side’s success – or lack of – depends on which Simon Mignolet is going to show up. The good shot-stopper who’ll still probably make a mistake, or the shaky, indecisive shadow of himself who’ll still probably make a mistake. Unfortunately, the latter has cost them a lot in recent seasons.
Daley Blind and the Belgian goalie will go toe-to-toe from the corner spot in this clash- these are the sort of things we’re looking out for now during Manchester United v Liverpool.
Jurgen Klopp might have his side well set up, they might even dominate the opposition yet again but he has little control over the next shambles the club’s player of the year might concoct.
Daniel Sturridge v Insert Injury Here
It’s only a matter of time before the prolific attacker falls victim to another knock. Whether it’s his hamstrings or just between the ears, it’s hard to accept that the Englishman will be available for 180 minutes – maybe half an hour extra – over two European legs against Manchester United.
If he was, it would boost Liverpool’s chances considerably. If he was.
