Rodgers Must Avoid Defeat At Old Trafford

Rodgers Must Avoid Defeat At Old Trafford

Liverpool playing against Manchester United is one of the biggest fixtures on the Premier League calendar, but this fixture takes on a greater significance with both respective managers coming under scrutiny by their supporters after an underwhelming start to the season that has both worried about their chances for the rest of the season.

But a win on Saturday will provide the perfect tonic for the victors, but a defeat will only intensify the pressure on the losing manager.

From a Liverpool perspective, Brendan Rodgers has to prove that the disastrous defeat to West Ham a fortnight ago was only a one-off and he has the chance to redeem himself against the Reds’ greatest rivals.

Coutinho’s absence is a blow for Liverpool and it will be interesting to see if Rodgers’ sticks with Lovren after his nightmare against West Ham. I expect him to select him but the expensive defender must be running out of chances after so many poor performances since arriving at Anfield.

Sturridge has resumed full training again but the United game will come too soon for the England striker and Rodgers will probably play with just Benteke up front on his own.

Playing away from home might suit Liverpool, where you expect United as the home side to take the game to us, where we can play counter-attacking football that worked so well in the 0-0 draw at Arsenal.

It is still very early in the season but the result at Old Trafford could have a massive influence on the rest of our season and Rodgers’ future.