Could Liverpool dent Manchester United’s title hopes?

Liverpool host Manchester United at Anfield tomorrow afternoon in one of English football’s biggest grudge matches.

There is no love lost between the north west rivals and tomorrow’s game will be crucial for both clubs.

Title

Manchester United are in need of a victory after losing their last Premier League game 2-1 at champions Chelsea. The result left United four points  clear of Arsenal in second place but the Gunners have a game in-hand.

Arsenal host Sunderland later today at the Emirates Stadium. Maximum points would put them within touching distance of the Red Devils. If Manchester United lose at Anfield tomorrow afternoon that would give Arsenal the advantage in the title race.

Champions League

Liverpool are still in with an outside chance of qualifying for the Champions League. The Reds are currently nine points behind fourth place Chelsea but the Blues have a game in-hand. However they know that they must gain as many points as possible if they are going to claim a spot in Europe’s elite competition.

Dalglish

The return of Kenny Dalglish as manager has lifted everybody at Liverpool. It now seems that everybody is pulling in the same direction. The atmosphere around the club is far different than it was under former-boss Roy Hodgson.

Dalglish has inspired the team to a decent run of form which has seen them climb away from the bottom of the table and into a position to challenge for European spot. It was impossible to see that sort of improvement under Hodgson.

With Dalglish in charge the Reds finally look like a team capable of winning games. I think Dalglish’s presence could just be enough to inspire a victory for the Reds tomorrow afternoon.

Absentees

Manchester United will be missing the defensive duo of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic. The pairs absence could prove crucial. Youngster Chris Smalling has impressed at the heart of the United defence in recent weeks but gave away the vital penalty against Chelsea on Tuesday night.

That incident could knock his confidence and against Liverpool he will partner Wes Brown. If I was a United fan I would feel far more secure with Vidic and Ferdinand at centre-back than Smalling and Brown. Brown is a decent player but he never inspires me with confidence. As an opposition fan you always think he will give you a chance.

Carroll

If reports are to be believed Liverpool’s £35million record signing Andy Carroll could be set to make his debut against the Red Devils. His first appearance will also give Liverpool a big lift. It won’t just lift the team it will lift the fans and when the Liverpool fans are on song they can be a twelfth man.

Carroll obviously won’t be in his peak physical condition but can still cause problems for Manchester United’s makeshift central defensive partnership. He is such an aerial threat that Brown and Smalling will have their work cut-out to keep the big striker quiet.

Explosive

This is the sort of explosive game that makes the Premier League so exciting to watch. As a neutral I love watching these games. These two teams really do hate each other and it makes for a superb good fashioned blood and thunder encounter.

Fans

Liverpool fans would love to beat their bitter-rivals not just to help their cause but also to dent United’s title hopes. The Red Devils are currently level on 18 league title victories each. Liverpool fans will be hoping that United don’t break that record this season.

Victory tomorrow may give them some temporary joy but I have a feeling that come May Manchester United fans will be the ones celebrating.

Can Liverpool dent Manchester United’s title hopes?