Perhaps it is because I was not born on Merseyside that I feel the way I do. That a win over Manchester United is more important to me than a win over Everton. Perhaps because in South Africa, you will find only a sprinkling of Toffee fans here and there, but without a doubt the two most supported teams are Liverpool and Manchester United. And I am sure these Manchester United fans are just as annoying worldwide as they are in South Africa. I have found that there are two kinds of Man U fans. The first, a minority in South Africa are true supporters that follow the club as intently as I follow my club. But the second, the majority, will readily walk around sporting a Man U top, have the Man U logo as their screen saver and celebrate passionately when someone tells them that their team won on the weekend, but are unable to tell you five current players, or name their assistant coach. People who probably decided one day that they needed an answer to the question of “which club you support”. The same kind of fans that are now trading in their Man U jerseys for Arsenal and Chelsea tops now that Magic Moyes is doing such a great job. But one thing all Man United fans share, which frays at my nerves, is arrogance. This is why I am so excited about this weekend's match. This is a chance to drive a stake through their arrogance.
So how do we beat them?
I cannot recall a time in which we were to face Man United and I felt so confident about the result. There is no doubt that this season, Liverpool is the much better team. Of course, this being such an important match that both teams want to win, I do not doubt that United will raise their game for us, but in the same breath, we will raise our game for them. And if we can improve our performance from how we are playing at the moment, then we will be unstoppable. I envision United will come out of the blocks all guns blazing. However, I am positive that Moyes will not be thinking “we have to win this match,” but rather “we cannot lose this match.” They will try and nick an early goal to settle their nerves. We cannot allow this to happen. If they do not score within the first 20 minutes, then they will panic. I do not doubt that for a second.
This match will be a match in which we can really put down a marker. The match in which the Liverbird can shrug off the dust of the last 25 years, and like a Phoenix from the ashes, put one foot back on our perch… with a wink to Alex Ferguson. A Liverpool win, all the way.
And our competitors…
Man City travel to Hull having experienced different fortunes in the FA Cup. I think Hull will prove no match for a wounded and angered City and they will leave with all the points. Everton host Cardiff and our neighbours will keep the points at Goodison. Chelsea should leave Villa Park with a win as well and a juicy London derby between Spurs and Arsenal will probably end in a draw.
