A global derby that came too soon

| Friday September 17, 2010 00:00

Manchester United versus Liverpool is historically a duel that is always eagerly-awaited not only in England but around the world. That is why this epic duel has over the years been dubbed the global derby.

For 90 minutes, the world of football comes to a standstill as attention shifts to a combat between the old power of English Football and the modern giant. When these sworn enemies are swinging at each other, everything else becomes secondary. Peace talks on the Israel-Palestine impasse could be interrupted, controversy surrounding the Pope's visit to the United Kingdom can wait while the most important matter of Liverpool versus Manchester United is attended to. Do not be surprised to see some officials of the Botswana Examinations Council and militant teacher unions release their foot from the pedal on their acerbic exchanges - at least for 90 minutes - to engross and immerse in the ultimate football battle that could see foes and friends on one side.

This Sunday when Liverpool travel to Old Trafford for a lunch time date, fans are bound to be on a knife-edge. But has this fixture come too early? Is it an oxymoron to claim that football's much-awaited fixture has come early? The truth is that judging by their recent games in the league, the two teams have been playing very badly. Lousy.On Sunday Liverpool laboured to a dull 0-0 draw at Birmingham. Alex Mcleish's side terrorised, out-played and out-smarted Liverpool in every department. It was only goalkeeper, Pepe Reina who stood tall in goal to thwart Birmingham. In fact, Liverpool were lucky to escape with a point in a game they should have lost. Manchester United in their Tuesday Champions League game were awful against Scotland's Glasgow Rangers. Playing before a home crowd, United failed to subdue a resilient Rangers. Wayne Rooney, the talisman who has ghosted past many defenders to snatch victory where defeat seemed definite for the Red Devils was anonymous.

Manchester United have looked ordinary in their past two games. While they scored three at Everton, they failed to shut the back door when it mattered most. This allowed Everton to launch a comeback in the last minutes of the game, a speciality, which Manchester United have perfected and dished with ruthless brutality on other teams.

Everton's consistent forays engineered a nervous breakdown in the Manchester United system. When the referee blew the whistle at Goodison Park, the Red Devils were on the ropes and on their way to hit the canvas face down. With two draws in three days, the confidence and belief is slowly ebbing away.

The two teams are playing badly at the moment. But there is always expectation, anticipation, hope and intense rivalry that overshadows anything when Liverpool plays Manchester United.

If there is a fixture that completely disregards the form-book, punters and book-makers, this is it. Even when there is talk of bad form, some things ought to be put in perspective. Both teams have not hit a purple patch but even that is relative. On account of performance, the red half of Merseyside should be more concerned and fearful of this encounter more than their Manchester counterparts. This season Liverpool has been exposed as bad travellers. In one of their two away league games, they were humiliated 3-0 at Manchester City. In the game, Liverpool full backs were tormented by City's speedy wingers. Although this was just the second league game, many felt that Liverpool's credentials as a top four club was examined and found wanting. On Sunday they were again exposed by Birmingham, a lower mid-table team. Any team that habours ambition of dominating the top flight should be used to the vagaries of playing away but the Reds seem ill-prepared for this task early in the season.

Liverpool's biggest worry will be the quality of its playing personnel. Without sounding like a broken record, the Reds still depend on Steven Gerard and Fernando Torres a lot. Things seem  worse this season.

Gerard has been outstanding while doing duty for England and he is expected to transfer the good work to Liverpool at Manchester. The same however cannot be said about Torres who had a gloomy World Cup and continues his bad form into the new season. It came as no surprise when former Liverpool ace, Jamie Redknapp described Torres' performance at Birmingham as diabolical. That might have been a lot hash as Torres is still struggling to regain his fitness. But the player will be the first to admit that he has been below average.

Therein lies the big problem for Liverpool. Without Torres' influence, there is no one at the same level to take up the cudgels and fight for the team's cause. David Ngog who has faltered to deceive does not look ready to have the mentality and DNA to harass the likes of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic. Ryan Babel is full of promise but has not delivered. Daniel Pacheco is a youngster who is yet to break into the first team.

Liverpool goes to Old Trafford without the industry of Dirk Kuyt. No one works harder and better than the injured Dutchman and Liverpool will be poorer without him. Although new recruit, Jovanovich is full of running and passion, he seems to have more brawn than skill. He cannot be relied on to beat defenders and deliver a telling cross in dangerous areas. On the right flank, Argentine Maxi Rodrigues is an insult to the memory of legendary Anfield wingers such as John Barnes and Steve MacManaman. With Maxi donning the Liverpool shirt, it is not difficult to see how England's most successful team has descended into mediocrity. 

 The Liverpool midfield has been unsettled with Javier Mascherano's departure to Barcelona. The player gave Liverpool bite and fear factor in the middle of the pack. He ably broke up play and often forced teams to try and by-pass the midfield in their bid to attack, thus leading to uncoordinated attacks.  Christian Poulsen, the new recruit from Juventus, looks a pace slower for the Premier League. Lucas Leiva gives away possession easily while his passing range is non-descript. On Sunday, Liverpool will welcome Joe Cole from suspension with the hope that he delivers.

The Reds will be boosted by a natural left-back in Paul Konchesky. For once, Liverpool will have balance in the full back positions with Glenn Johnson doing business on the right. In midfield, Raul Meireles, the former Porto FC player is expected to be in the starting line-up. The new recruit has not played in the Premiership except the 10 minutes outing at Birmingham on Sunday. But given his quality, he is expected to bring dynamism to the Liverpool midfield.

Meireles is no Mascherano nor Xabi Alonso but to his credit, he has the quality of both - he can tackle and distribute. Even better, the Portuguese scores goals. If he is not overawed by the occasion, he could be Liverpool's trump card at Old Trafford.

The return of Cole might be the tonic that Liverpool needs. Without doubt, Cole will release the pressure from Gerrard who might play at the top of the midfield. The greatest comfort to Liverpool supporters is that Torres, who has been playing below par has launched a personal war on the Red Devils. He has committed to launch his revival at Old Trafford and who can doubt the demolition man when the world has seen him leading the onslaught in a 4-1 demolition at Old Trafford last year.

In defence, Liverpool will be solid with the Jamie Carragher, Martin Skrtel or Daniel Agger tightening the screws on Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov or Hernandez. Reality though is that United have a better bench than the Merseysiders and this could be callously demonstrated on Sunday. Even though they will miss Antonio Valencia, United could call on a galaxy of stars such as Nani, Jung-Sung Park or youngster Macheda to torment their blood rivals.

Despite his off the field problems, Rooney will still be the man to watch. Of late, Berbatov has been in good form carrying on from the Community Shield win. Veterans Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes have shown no signs of slowing down and they will relish an occasion to punish their fiercest rivals.

This is the game that United could use to send a strong message to pace-setters Chelsea and Arsenal. United coach, Alex Ferguson has been blamed for tinkering with his squad and against Liverpool, he will know better than that. Expect the old fox to put his best 11 in action. This is a game that even Paul the Octopus will refuse to predict because the die appear to be heavily loaded against Liverpool. There is so much unrest and instability in the Liverpool board. In a few weeks' time, Liverpool could go into administration unless a buyer comes along. The club has a new coach who is up against a wily and cunning Ferguson. Roy Hodgson is up against a coach who has perfected his drills with United for over two decades now. The league log will show that Manchester United after four games are in position three with 11 points and 11 goals. The same table will show Liverpool at position 13 with just five points. The Reds have been blunt upfront having scored only two goals and conceding four.

Even with this compelling evidence, the true Kopites emboldened by the Bill Shankly spirit would dare not believe that United will grab and hoist Liverpool to slaughter them at Old Trafford.  I have seen statistics lie and I am one of those stubborn Reds who believe that it is not a miracle to beat United even when the chips are down. Yes, we can.