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David Moyes, Manager of Manchester United and Brendan Rogers, Manager of Liverpool. They take each other on in the Premier League on September 1, 2013 at Anfield, Liverpool. (Getty Images)
After close to 27 years at the helm of Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson finally called time on his career; it was without a doubt, one of English football’s most depressing moments. The 71-year old finally passed in his throne to another Scot in David Moyes.
This Scot, however, is not one who chews gum or one who gives his players the hairdryer treatment. Neither does he pace up and down his technical area nor does he frighten referees by simply looking at his watch. Moyes may not be the ideal one, but certainly is the ‘Chosen One’.
His opposite number today is Liverpool’s Brendan Rodgers, who was instrumental in Swansea City’s meteoric rise. The Irishman, who worked under Jose Mourinho earlier in his career, shouldn’t be taken lightly. He has, slowly but surely, been implementing his methods, as he looks to regain past glories at the Merseyside club.
Both managers would look to build a legacy at their respective clubs, but at this point of time, the stage couldn’t be better. These two English giants clash early in the league, and here is what could be in store for us:
1. Transfer talk
Three months without football and the United’ impotency in signing any players pretty much sums up their transfer window. Though Moyes has done a good job in persuading Wayne Rooney to stay, his midfield woes are far from over. With bids being rejected for various midfielders, United and their new vice-chairman Ed Woodward in particular, have had an embarrassing off-season, to say the least.
Ever since Rodgers has taken over Liverpool, he has look to bring in quality players, who understand his ways. Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge added a lot of creativity and flair to the Liverpool attack at the end of the last season. This summer window, Rodgers has strengthened most areas of his team with the signings of Kolo Toure, Iago Aspas and Luis Alberto. In addition, he has managed to hold on to Luis Suarez as well.
Both clubs have experienced contrasting transfer windows, and this game will tell if Liverpool, and their new signings, will be able to cope with what is one of the most hotly contested derbies in the world.
2. Team strength
Moyes has not changed much in terms of tactics. United’s wingers haven’t been in the best of form lately and their midfield looks dysfunctional without Michael Carrick running it.
But if they were on song or if Shinji Kagawa were to start for that matter, Rooney and Robin Van Persie will be spoilt for chances. The Scot used the 4-2-3-1 formation against Chelsea, with Rooney linking their attack and midfield.
Danny Welbeck and Antonio Valencia would do well to use their pace and strength to get past Liverpool’s full-backs; Simon Mignolet’s will be in for a long night if United’s front four click into gear.
Rodgers, on the other hand, gets his team to play short, incisive passes on the floor to break opposition’s defence. Rodgers has used the 4-3-3 formation so far and it has worked well both in their opening games.
Rodgers method of pressing high and controlling most of the possession may work well at Anfield. And the likes of Coutinho, Sturridge, Sterling and Aspas, who have pace to burn, will look cause some trouble.
3. Players to watch out for this season
Moyes and Rodgers would bank on their respective strikers van Persie and Sturridge, who have netted in all their previous nine games.
With Moyes running out of options in the midfield, he will expect the ever-reliable Carrick to feed balls to the strikers. United, who haven’t signed anyone as yet, could well breed youngsters in Adnan Januzaj and Wilfried Zaha, who were impressive in United’s pre-season, as his usual wide-men seem out of sorts.
Rodgers’ has shared most of his success with Coutinho’s clever passing and Steven Gerrard’s assistance upfront. But the return of Suarez, who is currently serving his 10-game suspension, will give him an added attacking dimension.
It is always hard to predict the result in a Liverpool- United face-off. But the performance of the likes of van Persie and Carrick for United and Sturridge and Coutinho for Liverpool, will certainly determine who has the last laugh.
