Liverpool VS Manchester City Match Preview

As if a meeting with the Premier League leaders was not difficult enough, Liverpool will be aware that a Manchester City backlash could be on the cards this weekend.

The Reds will head into Sunday's game in positive mood, with a seven-match unbeaten run keeping them within touching distance of the top four.

They will also be fresh, with no European action at Anfield this season meaning there can be no excuses when the Premier League takes centre stage.

Kenny Dalglish has already seen his side overcome Arsenal and Chelsea this term, while only a late equaliser allowed Manchester United to leave Merseyside with something to show for their efforts.

Liverpool can also boast an impressive record against City in recent times, with six wins and two draws taken from their last eight meetings at Anfield.

In fact, the Reds have lost only one of their last 12 top-flight matches against their North West rivals.

Dalglish's men came out on top the last time the two sides locked horns, with Andy Carroll netting twice in a 3-0 victory back in April.

That match represents the last time City failed to score in the league, with 52 goals plundered in 18 games since.

Liverpool are also the last side to score more than two goals against the Blues, with Roberto Mancini's side having shipped just 14 since their forgettable visit to Anfield.

Such fine form has City sat proudly atop of the Premier League table, with 11 victories taken from their opening 12 fixtures this term.

It is, however, abroad that the Blues have struggled, with Mancini's men in danger of slipping out of the UEFA Champions League at the group stage.

A 2-1 reversal against Napoli on Tuesday has left their European fate hanging in the balance, with favours now required from elsewhere.

A disappointing showing on Italian soil will have been put to the back of their minds, though, by the time they take to the field on Sunday, with City looking to respond positively to a rare setback.

It could be quite some afternoon on Merseyside, with both sides boasting frontmen in imperious form.

Luis Suarez continues to go from strength to strength for Liverpool, while Sergio Aguero and Mario Balotelli have been regular sources of goals for City.

Team news

Dalglish is likely to keep changes to a minimum as Liverpool attempt to bring some stability to their season.

Defender Jamie Carragher, who returned to the squad for last week's win at Chelsea but could only make the bench, may have to settle for a place among the substitutes again.

Winger Stewart Downing will be pushing for a recall having been dropped last week after starting the first 11 league matches but captain Steven Gerrard is still not fit to return from an ankle infection.

Manchester City have no fresh injury or suspension concerns to contend with, with Balotelli having recovered from a fever, but Mancini is likely to shuffle his pack.

Gareth Barry and Samir Nasri will be pushing for a recall after being left on the bench on Tuesday.

Aguero will also be hoping to start, with a cameo appearance in Naples suggesting he is over a slight knock and ready to lead the line.

Micah Richards will be another hoping to get the nod against the Reds after being omitted from Mancini's midweek European plans.

Facts & Match Preview.

Last season Liverpool 3 Man City 0

Referee Martin Atkinson

This season's matches 9 Y30, R4, 3.78 cards per game

Odds Liverpool 9-5 Man City 13-8 Draw 12-5

 

Liverpool v Manchester City: Probable starters.

Liverpool

Subs from Doni, Aurélio, Carroll, Wilson, Downing, Coates, Henderson, Spearing, Sterling, Kelly, Coady, Carragher, Flanagan

Doubtful None

Injured Gerrard (ankle, unknown)

Suspended None

Form guide WDWDDW

Disciplinary record Y20 R2

Leading scorer Suárez 4

Manchester City

Subs from Pantilimon, Taylor, Zabaleta, Milner, Johnson, Kolarov, Savic, Onuoha, K Touré, De Jong, Balotelli, Rekik, Veseli

Doubtful None

Injured Hargreaves (hamstring, 12 Dec)

Suspended None

Form guide WWWWWW

Disciplinary record Y14 R1

Leading scorers Agüero, Dzeko 10

Match pointers

• City have won only one of their last 12 Premier League matches against Liverpool

• Liverpool were the last side to keep a Premier League clean sheet against City (in April) and Saturday's visitors have scored 52 times in 18 subsequent games

• Stuart Taylor will be 31 on Monday – he has made only 30 Premier League appearances in his career since he started at Arsenal in 1997

• If selected, Glen Johnson will be making his 200th Premier League appearance

• Both these sides have hit the woodwork eight times, the joint-most in the division

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Selamanya Harimau Malaya

selamanya, selamanya,selamanya,
harimau malaya!
selamanya, selamanya,selamanya,
sokong Malaysia!

hey le le le le le le la
oohh, oohh
hey le le le le le la
Aaahh, aaahh

harimau malaya
harimau malaya
harimau malaya
harimau malaya

hey le le le le le le la
oohh, oohh
hey le le le le le la

inilah tanah tumpahnya darahku
negara pasukan biarlah hanya satu
harimau kami berlari laju,
belang nak tertanggal dari baju
harimau kami cekap gelecek
pertahanan lawan tumbang sederet
bila turun padang berumahkan gelanggang,
kalau berani mari bersandang

selamanya, selamanya,selamanya,
harimau malaya!
selamanya, selamanya,selamanya,
sokong Malaysia!

hey le le le le le le la
oohh, oohh
hey le le le le le la
Aaahh, aaahh

harimau malaya
harimau malaya

semua berlari hingga tiada keringat,
gol pertama untuk negara
kedua untuk pingat
bila atas padang main tak ingat,
tiap hantaran kemas
tiap gerak ligat
pernahkah ada harimau yang jinak
jawapannya tidak
semestinya lincah
penyokong ke stadium beranak-pinak
untukmu Malaysia kami ceria

selamanya, selamanya,selamanya,
harimau malaya!
selamanya, selamanya,selamanya,
sokong Malaysia!

hey le le le le le le la
oohh, oohh
hey le le le le le la
Aaahh, aaahh

harimau malaya
harimau malaya

hey, nari kita, semangat
hitam kuning terpahat
mari kita berjuang,
tempur berperang di padang
sekali lagi, maju lagi,
serang lagi, gagah berani sebati
tidak gentar
tenang, dengar sorakan gemilang,
harimau malaya pasti menang!

selamanya, selamanya,selamanya,
harimau malaya!
selamanya, selamanya,selamanya,
sokong Malaysia!

hey le le le le le le la
oohh, oohh
hey le le le le le la
Aaahh, aaahh

harimau malaya
harimau malaya

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Top Two Barclays Premier League Match Preview (Man Utd vs Man City)

Old Trafford, Manchester

October 23, 2011; 12:30 GMT

***

 In a season of league football, each game is as important as the other, a win gives you all three points whereas a draw just the one. Yet, some games are worth more than the other; clearly Manchester United against Manchester City is one of those. This Sunday the two Manchester clubs renew their rivalry at the Theatre of Dreams when league leaders City visit Champions United. The city of Manchester will come to a grinding halt; the rest of the football-ing world would perhaps stand still for those crucial 90 minutes. In boxing terms this is the equivalent of a big fight night when two giants collide till eventually only one’s left standing. This is the Manchester derby and the hype is real for once.

The match couldn’t be more tantalizingly poised as first takes on second and with pole position up for grabs. Roberto Mancini’s Citizen’s hold a slight edge but count the Red Devils out on your own peril, certainly never at Old Trafford. Form book favours City though, as Mancini’s men have emerged from the shadows of their illustrious neighbours and as things stand look the more menacing of the two outfits.

Ferguson’s United side began in awe-inspiring fashion but gradually began to slide of their pedestal in terms of the quality of football. Nevertheless, United still remain unbeaten and with most of their squad back to full fitness, City will have their task cut out as the Red Devils haven’t lost on their home turf in more than 18 months. All the little battles on and off the field add up to a momentous occasion and to quote one of the great cliché’s of modern life “when an irresistible force meets an immovable object, something’s got to give“.

 

Team News and Tactical Brief

MANCHESTER UNITED

After going through an injury crisis of major proportions, Sir Alex has announced that all the first team players except Ryan Giggs are fit and available for selection including the 23 players that made the trip to Romania in midweek for the Champions league game. This also means that Tom Cleverley, who started the season brilliantly, is also fit and likely to be included in the matchday squad for the first time since suffering a ligament injury at the Reebok Stadium last month. The only player missing for the Red Devils is the old war-horse Ryan Giggs who has a minor hamstring problem.

Sir Alex, for once, came under scrutiny for his team selection at Anfield which showed that he was looking for a point rather than all three. However, with the game being at Old Trafford, expect no such thing from the wily old Scot on Sunday as he will certainly go all out attack with his team selection and tactics.

De Gea will once again return to the starting line-up after being rested for the midweek game as Lindegaard was started in goal in Romania. However, it will not be an easy choice for the manager as far as the back four is concerned. Nemanja Vidic returned to the starting line-up in midweek but looked a touch short on match sharpness and that could be dangerous in this game considering the form of City’s front four. Having said that, the skipper’s presence and experience in big games is a boost for the whole team as he certainly brings a calming influence at the back. Vidic will be partnered by Rio Ferdinand, who was rested for the midweek game. Evra, who has looked on song for the last two games, will start at left back while Smalling is likely to get the nod at right back ahead of Phil Jones and the Brazilian twins.

Michael Carrick is likely to start his first league game this season after producing a sound display in Romania. The Englishman has normally been an automatic choice for the manager in big games for the past few seasons and his experience could once again prove to be vital on Sunday. He is likely to sit in front of the back four breaking City’s fluent passing while Anderson will be playing the role of the playmaker and will be looking to get forward on every opportunity. Nani, who has done well against the bitter rivals in the past, will return after being benched at Anfield while Park, another big game player for Sir Alex, is expected to start ahead of Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia who have both been off colour in recent weeks.

Rooney will also return to the starting eleven in the league but the other choice of striker will be between Chicharito and Welbeck.

Probable Starting Line-up: (4-4-1-1) De Gea; Smalling, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra; Nani, Carrick, Anderson, Park; Rooney; Welbeck

MANCHESTER CITY

Roberto Mancini, like his counterpart, has all his players fit for the big game at Old Trafford. The only man missing for the Blues is ex-Red Devil Carlos Tevez who has been charged for his misconduct against Bayern Munich. Another former Old Trafford man – Owen Hargreaves is doubtful for the game and will face a late fitness test. However, with all the other players available for selection, the injury-prone midfielder is unlikely to get a chance against his former employers.

With all the players fit, this will be the biggest test for Mancini so far this season and it will be very interesting to see whether he carries on his attacking mentality at Old Trafford or will he revert back to his safety first option and play three defensive midfielders like he did in the last season. The formation will take the shape based on the manager’s decision and can change from 4-2-3-1 to 4-3-2-1 depending on Mancini’s approach.

Having seen the way Mancini has operated this season, it is likely that he goes for a front four from the start and then change it at the latter stages if he feels that his team could get something out of the game. De Jong and Barry are certain to start in the midfield and will be operating in-front of their defense making it a back 6 for the visitors while defending.

Lescott and Kompany will be playing in central defence for the Blues with Micah Richards taking his place at right back. The choice of left back will be an interesting one from Mancini as both Clichy and Kolarov are fit and have been in good form of late. Clichy does provide a more attacking option but has been put to test by Nani in recent seasons while playing for Arsenal. On the other hand, Kolarov is a bit slow in comparison with the Frenchman and can be vulnerable to the pace of United’s forward line. Joe Hart will start in front of goal.

Up-front, Balotelli, who has been in scintillating form, is expected to start ahead of Dzeko. He will be getting ample support from Sergio Aguero, who is also certain to start after returning from injury in midweek and David Silva, who has been the standout player for the league leaders. Nasri, Milner and Barry will battle it out for the remaining spot again depending on the tactics used by the Italian. In all likelihood, the former Arsenal man is going to start while Milner and Barry can come on later in the game if City manage to get ahead. Adam Johnson is also a probable option for the manager as an impact substitute later in the game.

Probable Starting Line-up: (4-2-3-1) Hart; Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy; De Jong, Toure Yaya; Nasri, Silva, Aguero; Balotelli

Key Facts

1. United are unbeaten in 25 league games at Old Trafford winning the last 19.
2. Wayne Rooney has scored five goals against City in all competitions.
3. City have scored 14 away goals in 4 games this season.

 PLAYER TO WATCH OUT FOR

Nani (Manchester United)

 

City’s Nemesis?

The Portuguese has been in good form since the start of the season and is currently second on assists charts in the league. He has also done very well in the past derby games including the Community Shield this season where he scored two goals in the remarkable comeback win by United. Nani is expected to be involved in most of United’s attacks and if he has a good game, City could be facing a major problem.

Prediction

Manchester United 2-1 Manchester City

It will be a cagey game at the start with both teams easing themselves slowly into the game. However, the match will become explosive in the latter stages with United proving to be strong enough at home territory.

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Selangor VS Terengganu

Malam ini bermulanya separuh akhir pertama Piala Malaysia ,dimana pastinya debaran kini dirasai oleh pasukan yang layak ke peringkat separuh akhir iaitu Selangor vs terengganu 18 oct 2011  Sudah tentu kedua-dua pasukan akan mencongak strategi terbaik untuk mengharungi pusingan pertama bagi membawa bekalan selesa untuk perlawanan timbal balik pada 22 oktober ini. Selepas dua kejuaraan liga Malaysia musim ini menjadi milik pasukan pantai timur, Terengganu kini dalam misi memburu kejuaraan kedua bermula dengan perlawanan separuh akhir pertama menentang Selangor malam  ini. jadual perlawanan  Selangor vs terengganu adalah pada pukul 8.45 malam ini di Stadium Shah Alam, Selangor.

Terengganu berjaya  menyingkirkan juara bertahan Kelantan dalam saingan suku akhir minggu lalu, Terengganu kini mempunyai motivasi tinggi menjelang perlawanan menentang selangor di Stadium Shah Alam. Jurulatihnya, Irfan Bakti bakal melakukan satu lagi kejutan di Shah Alam dan memastikan mereka membawa bekalan selesa ke separuh akhir kedua di Kuala Terengganu nanti.Sandaran pastinya kepada tiga penyerang sensasi Ashaari Samsudin, Abdul Hadi Yahya dan Abdul Manaf Mamat untuk mengegar gawang Selangor.

Bagi Selangor pula, kecederaan lutut yang dialami kaptennya, Amri Yahyah pada perlawanan suku akhir kedua Jumaat lalu menjadi kebimbingan P. Maniam yang terpaksa mengatur semula percaturan pasukanya jika Amri gagal kembali cergas sepenuhnya.Irfan Bakti sudah pun memulakan ‘perang psikologi’ dengan mengatakan betapa Selangor barisan harus digeruni. Jurulatih kepada skuad yang menjuarai Piala FA itu melihat saingan di Stadium Shah Alam pasti akan memberi kelebihan kepada tuan rumah pimpinan P Maniam dan akur mereka harus memberi fokus 100 peratus ketika lawan ghairah mencari modal selesa.

Boleh dikatakan Irfan bakti berkemungkinan mengunakan strategi menyerang balas ketika Selangor ghairah menyerang dihadapan penyokong sendiri.Sudah pasti Terengganu perlu mengelakkan memberikan Selangor sepakan percuma dari tempat bahaya oleh syafiq Rahim seperti yang berlaku pada saingan suku akhir menentang Perak tempoh hri yang membuatkan Perak menggigit jari dengan 3 sepakan percuma dari Safiq rahim menerjah gawang Perak.Ini pasti menjadi ujian getir buat Terengganu.

Barisan Red Giants yang beberapa minggu lalu di ambang penyingkiran dalam peringkat kumpulan, kini menghidupkan misi merangkul kejuaraan ke-33 Piala Malaysia.  Apa yang pasti, saingan separuh akhir pertama di Stadium Shah Alam menjadikan satu pertembungan yang cukup hebat. Untuk rekod,  Selangor dan Terengganu pernah bertemu dalam separuh akhir Piala Malaysia pada tahun 2007 dengan kemenangan berpihak kepada Selangor. Terengganu pula pastinya mengharapkan tuah menyebelahi mereka kali ini selepas tewas dalam tiga penampilan terakhir mereka di separuh akhir.

Sama-sama kita tontoni  Selangor vs terengganu piala Malaysia 18 oktober  2011 malam ini….pastinya mendebarkan.

Viva Selangor!!! Viva The Red Giant!!!!

p/s: Saksikan  Siaran langsung Separuh Akhir piala malaysia 2011 Selangor vs terengganu 18 oktober  2011 di tv1 8.45 malam di  Stadium  Shah Alam.

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EPL Big Four Cakap Belakang.

Chelsea : "Kau orang semua bertenang..biar aku uruskan Manchester United yang kuat tu..aku je harapan kau orang kan?"

Liverpool : " Pergi lantak la kau nak perasan Chelsea!, yang aku tahu..aku tak kisah kalau kalah hatta 36 game sekalipun..asalkan 2 game balance tu aku menang dengan Manchester United yang kuat tu. Bapak puas hati kalau dapat menang dengan Manchester United. Memang team aku ni main target nak memang dengan Manchester United je. Tak memang piala pun takpa..kalah benkrap dengan Swansea pun takpa..takpa..takpa!!

Arsenal : "Bodoh la kau ni Liverpool..patutla budak budak luar panggil kau Liver-fool.patut sangat. Dah kalau setakat nak menang dengan Manchester United yang kuat tu je matlamat hiudp kau dunia akhirat, buat apa kejadahnya?..cuba think-big!, fikir menang liga, menang FA, menang CL!

Chelsea : "Ahhh Arsenal..kau ni pun sama bangang dengan Liverpool. Menang CL celah bedah mananya si Liverpool ni?"

Arsenal : "Hehehehe...lupa..lupa.."

Liverpool : " Gampang kau orang ni..cakap nak bersatu..alih alih aku juga kena anjing!"

Chelsea : " Rilek la Liverpool...takkan amik hatii kot..benda tu biasa kan?, kena nganjing tu kan ko dah biasa dah..apa ada hal sangat"

Arsenal : "Entahnya Liverpool ni..tacing pulak dah..benda kecik pun nak tacing."

Liverpool : "Aku bukan tacing...tapi celaka apa Manchester United yang kuat tu boleh potong aku punya EPL title yang last aku menang..errr..aaaa...errrr..last aku menang...bila sial last aku menang?, aku pun tak ingat sial last aku menang bila.."

Chelsea : "kehkehkehkeh...kehkehkehkeh..last kau menang masa zaman Komunis di Malaysia tu belum serah diri lagi.."

Arsenal : "Kau jangan emosional sangat Liverpool..tengok aku ni haa..kena kutuk anak ikan lah, budak tadika lah..budak tak sunat lah..tapi aku rilek je..kita ni main bola..main bola kalau jadi team tak sekuat Manchester United tu memang nasib la kita kena macam gini.."

Chelsea: "Takpa jangan bimbang...musim ni nasib kita berubah..aku champion, Liverpool amik nombor 2, kau Arsenal amik nombor 3..nanti musim depan kita rotate. Amacam?"

Arsenal & Liverpool : "Kau dah hilang akal Chelsea??, Habis tu Manchester United yang kuat tu nak letak mana????"

Chelsea : "Hehehehehe...aku buat lawak je tadi.."

Arsenal: "Ehh..ehh..tu..tu..tengok tu..Manchester United yang kuat datang arah kita la.."

Chelsea : "Alamakkk!!, dia dengar ke kita punya plan tadi?..alamakk..mamposla kalo dia dengar"

Liverpool : "Kalau dia tanya kau orang cakap aku baru datang..aku tak terlibat apa apa ye..plsssszzz...aku takuttt"

Manchester United : "Kau orang semua borak bangang apa ni, nak kena pukul lagi macam selalu?, tak serik lagi hahh?"

Liverpool & Chelsea & Arsenal : "Err..maaf..maaf abang Manchester, kami tak borak apa apa..betul, serius, sumpah wallah!..err.. kami beransur dulu ye..nak pegi training ni..maaf ye..maaf..jangan pukul kami..kami tak nak kena pukul dah.."

Manchester United : "Dah berambus!..aku nampak kau orang kumpul macam ni lagi aku rembat sekor sekor!"

 

p/s: Its ok liverpool. Record 5 times Champion League winner is still in our hand.

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Liverpool FC Confirm Tour Game in Malaysia

Liverpool FC is delighted to announce they will be playing a Malaysia XI on Saturday July 16 during the Club's Asia Tour - sponsored by Standard Chartered.

Organised by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), the Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur will host the match with kick-off at 5.45pm local time. It is the second game to be played in Asia during July with the other match being staged in China.

LFC Managing Director Ian Ayre said: "At Liverpool FC we take these games very seriously. The game in Malaysia will be an important part of our preparations for the 2011-12 campaign and it's a chance for all our fans in Malaysia to get up close to their heroes.

"We will work closely with our main sponsor Standard Chartered and our other tour partners, adidas and Carlsberg, to ensure we can deliver our best ever pre-season tour."

For the Malaysia leg of the trip, Courts are also official partners.

The Reds enjoy fantastic support in Asia and this summer's visit follows the hugely successful 10-day pre-season tour of Thailand and Singapore two years ago.

The Asia Tour begins with a game against Guangdong Sunray Cave in Guangzhou, China on Wednesday July 13.

"The match will be a piece of football history as this is the first time Liverpool FC will be stepping on Malaysian soil and it has created a lot of excitement," said Julian Kam, CEO of ProEvents, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary in Malaysia this year. "The Reds have a massive base of football fans in Malaysia.

"We have scheduled the game on a Saturday with kick-off at 5.45pm so everyone can come and watch."

LFC manager Kenny Dalglish said: "I'm looking forward to taking the team to Asia. It is great that we can give our supporters in Malaysia and China the chance to watch the team play. Our last tour of Asia in 2009 was a great success and we're delighted to be returning this summer."

Osman Morad, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Standard Chartered Bank (Malaysia) Berhad, added: "Liverpool FC has a huge fan base in Malaysia; all very loyal supporters impatiently counting the days to see the Reds in action on our own shores.  

"Standard Chartered is therefore delighted to sponsor this tour. We like to give back to the communities we operate in, and bringing Liverpool FC to Malaysia is in that spirit. Together with our employees, clients and Malaysian fans, we look forward to welcoming LFC with true Malaysian hospitality."

The confirmed Asia Tour fixtures are as follows:

Wednesday July 13 - Guangdong Sunray Cave v Liverpool FC in the Tianhe Stadium, Guangzhou. 8pm kick-off local time.

Saturday July 16 - Malaysia XI v Liverpool FC in the Bukit Jalil Stadium, Kuala Lumpur. 5.45pm kick off local time.

Tickets are priced at RM388, RM108, RM68 and RM58 and are available online at www.ticketpro.com.my.

Standard Chartered Bank (Malaysia) is offering an exclusive priority ticketing sales until June 9 2011. Standard Chartered Bank credit/debit cardholders can have the privilege of purchasing tickets in advance from the general ticket sales by using their cards (no cash sales). Tickets are available from Ticketpro Hotline 03-78807999, Ticketpro outlets and an additional outlet at The Pavilion. Each ticket will come with a complimentary training pass (subject to availability).

The open public sales will begin from Friday June 10 at all Ticketpro outlets, Ticketpro hotline or online at www.ticketpro.com.my.

For general open ticket sales and all the latest official news and information about the tour, stay tuned to www.lfctour.com or www.proevents.com.

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Five Things Kenny Dalglish Must Do For Liverpool To Beat Manchester United.

In 1993, Sir Alex Ferguson guided Manchester United to his first Premier League trophy and the club's first since 1967. It was United's seventh League title, and Liverpool fans said, "Yea, yea, come back when you've got 18."

Well...Here were are 18 years later, and Manchester United has those 18 titles. The problem is, so does Liverpool.

Manchester United come to Anfield on Sunday for the second League and third overall meeting between the two clubs this season. United won the first two, both at Old Trafford.  

When Ferguson took the job in Manchester, he said his aim was to "knock Liverpool off their (expletive) perch."

He's done a decent job. As Manchester United manager for the last 25 years, he's won 35 trophies. In the same time, under eight (Kenny Dalglish twice) different managers, Liverpool has won 18 trophies.

In total, the Reds have 59 trophies spanning their illustrious history, while the Red Devils have 58. This is all setting up so nicely, huh?

But the most important thing of all are those 18 League title apiece. Manchester United reaching that oh-so-elusive 19th title first would be an absolute dagger in the hearts of Liverpool fans.

Sir Alex and his men hit a slight snag on the way to the title in the loss to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge Tuesday and have a tough run-in to win that record-breaking crown, but they are still heavy favorites.

Here are the five things King Kenny must do to give the Red Devils an even bigger stumbling block on their road to history. 

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Liverpool VS Chelsea Game Previews

Tonight match-up between the Blues and the
Reds should be, at least for the neutral, completely unmissable. Chelsea vs
Liverpool is not exactly the friendliest of games at the best of times, largely
due to the feud between Mourinho and Benitez of recent years, but this year
should be even fierier.

Fernando Torres, who decided to hand in a
transfer request at Liverpool, just 3 days before the transfer window shut in
order to force a move to Chelsea, will be in for the majority of stick from
Liverpool fans, while the Chelsea faithful will surely get behind their new
hero, adding fuel to this particular fire.

Liverpool fans will be hoping that Torres
does not score against them but how often do you see players scoring on their
debut for their new clubs? Sky Sports must be over the moon as a game that
would already be much sought after has now become a global focal point.

Putting the Torres show to one side, we
have to remember that Chelsea should also welcome the debut of talented
Brazilian defender, David Luiz, while Liverpool should see one of their new
signings, Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez, make a full debut after his cameo
against Stoke. Their other signing, record British transfer Andy Carroll is
still attempting to return from injury.

Chelsea are in 4^th place
currently after a big dip in form but have found a winning way once again and,
more importantly, have found their fighting spirit again of late; demonstrated
in their 2-4 victory over Sunderland on Tuesday. The whole team is seemingly
pulling together and while a League victory is a big ask, considering the 10
point difference between them and Man Utd, you can never underestimate them
with 14 games to go.

Liverpool have also found winning form,
with critics of Kenny Dalglish found wanting, as he shows that he isn’t out of
touch with the game by constantly changing tactics, making excellent team
choices and substitutions, while maintaining the level of Liverpool wit and ingenuity within every press conference.

The bookies are backing a Chelsea victory
and there isn’t much value; Soccer odds of 8/13 at William Hill are the best
you will get. Surprisingly, considering that Liverpool are in decent form and
are playing well the bookies have given them a massive price of 5/1 – also
found at William Hill.

With the added spice of this game, I think
it will be an tight affair and the more likely result is the draw – I just
cannot see Liverpool giving up on this game, while Chelsea have a lot of
firepower going forwards. The draw is priced at 3/1 with Victor Chandler.

With a tight affair in mind, I’m looking at
the value in the varying markets and the 5/1 at Bodog for a draw at half time and a draw at full time definitely appeals.

The 0-0 scoreline actually appeals too but
with a couple of new players on show there will surely be a goal or two so look
to get on the 1-1 result at 7/1 with William Hill.

With that in mind, the Evens at Bodog for
both teams to score seems a massive price as if one team scores in this game
then there’s no way that the other won’t push for it too. I can understate the
passion that will be shown in this game, purely because of one transfer.

Chelsea possible first team:

Cech; Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole; Essien, Mikel, Lampard; Anelka; Torres, Drogba.

Liverpool possible first team:

Reina; Kelly, Skrtel, Agger, Johnson; Kuyt, Gerrard, Lucas, Maxi, Meireles; Suarez.

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