Liverpool face a huge test this weekend as they attempt to recover from their setback of being knocked out the Champions League in mid-week. They travel to arch-rivals Manchester United, a team on the up after five successive games. United fans are beginning to feel like Louis Van Gaal is the man to bring back past glories, having taken 15 points from the last 15, blowing away the early season cobwebs and guiding United to a current third place in the league. Liverpool, on the other hand, are in costless-fall. Finding themselves at rock-bottom following a string of poor performances, compiled by their Champions League exit at the hands of FC Basel on Wednesday. With a pumped Old Trafford crowd baying for blood after their fierce rivals did the double over them last season, here are five things Liverpool must do in order to have a chance of a positive result on Sunday:
Stop Wayne Rooney - The Englishman, Manchester United's captain, has been in good form this season since being made skipper. Using someone like Lucas as a 'sacrifical lamb' may well be worth doing in order to stop United's most creative player, especially with Angel Di Maria ruled out, from collecting the ball in space after he drops off the centre backs. If Liverpool don't do this and he is allowed room to manouvre, he certainly has the ability to put a frail Liverpool defence to the sword with his array of qualities.
Start 'The Skipper' - Steven Gerrard's performances this season haven't been the best and he isn't the player he used to be. However the one quality Gerrard hasn't lost over the years is his passion. Liverpool need passionate players in this game and he seems to always rise to the occasion. To put it frankly, Gerrard is the only one in the Liverpool team with the nerve for these big games. As talented as some of The Reds' young players are, you need a certain spirit for this game and Gerrard is the one Liverpool player who has it. He knows the importance of bragging rights and has churned out some wonderful performances in games against United over the years, most notably in the big moments. He scored two penalties at Old Trafford to secure a 3-0 win last season and the costless kick he dispatched against Basel on Tuesday night proved he still has some magic left in him. For Liverpool to compete physically and mentally in this game, Gerrard must start whether it be in a more advanced role or alongside Lucas shielding the defence.
Play two strikers - Liverpool's best performance this season was a 3-0 win at White Hart Lane against Tottenham that featured the striking partnership of Mario Balotelli and Daniel Sturridge. With Sturridge injured, this obviously can't be repeated however - Mario Balotelli, Rickie Lambert andFabio Borini are all talented and able of causing United's defence problems when two of the three are paired together. A return to the 4-1-2-1-2 diamond formation would most likely see Raheem Sterling return to his favoured number 10 role, which he hasn't been deployed in recently due to a repetitive use of the 4-2-3-1. Liverpool came nail bitingly close to a league title last season playing two strikers and to win on Sunday a return to the formation fans have been crying out for is essential.
Start early - The symbol of Liverpool's great performances last season were the quick goals. Sterling - City, Gerrard - Everton and Skrtel - Arsenal. Liverpool were quick off the blocks in all of these games to take early leads. This is something they haven't repeated this season, with the most memorable early goal being when Rickie Lambert scored against Crystal Palace, a game the Reds went on to lose 3-1. If Liverpool can get at United early on and create some chances, the players confidence will grow and we may witness a return to the football we know they can play. The other advantage of a quick start would be that it may silence a partizan Old Trafford crowd and allow Liverpool's passionate away support to gain control of the atmosphere.
Be lucky - When all is said and done, luck still has a huge part to play in the outcome of these games. Liverpool may just need abit of ladyluck to provide the spark for them. A penalty, a deflected goal, an error from the opposition, a red card... anything to get The Reds going. Liverpool fans shouldn't be too dejected going into this game as this is the one game in world football where the formbook really does go out of the window.