Topic: Liverpool v Manchester United (FA Cup) Sunday 17th

[jj2005]

No point thinking of a semifinal v Coventry, Chelsea are going to get them before they lose their 7th final in a row.

[jackh]

Knobhead here wrote the post he'd committed to doing but went to bed with it still in a Word document rather than posted to RAWK

Manchester United vs Liverpool

15:30, Sunday 17th March
Old Trafford, Trafford
FA Cup Quarter Final
Referee: John Brooks

Liverpool make their first of two visits to Old Trafford within a matter of weeks this weekend, as Manchester United host an FA Cup Quarter Final match that brings together the nation’s greatest footballing rivals. Erik ten Hag’s side beat Nottingham Forest three weeks ago to progress to this stage of the competition, but lost their league games either side of that fixture (home to Fulham and away to Manchester City) before beating Everton last weekend. Jürgen Klopp’s side beat Southampton in the Fifth Round, prior to which they won the League Cup before league matches that saw them beat Nottingham Forest away from home and draw with Manchester City at Anfield – that latter fixture sandwiched between legs of a Europa League tie with Sparta Prague that was resolved 11-2 in Liverpool’s favour. Form and – frankly – quality should make the Reds favourites to claim victory over their famous rivals, but United’s schedule has been lighter and this fixture represents an opportunity both to keep their trophy hopes alive & to diminish the silverware aspirations of their visitors.

The sides last met in mid-December, playing out a goalless draw at Anfield, whilst their previous FA Cup meeting was a Fourth Round tie at Old Trafford three years ago – Mohamed Salah scored a goal in each half, but goals from Mason Greenwood, Marcus Rashford, and Bruno Fernandes secured a 3-2 victory for the home side (they progressed through the following round with a victory over West Ham United before being knocked out at the Quarter Final stage). This weekend’s fixture is the fifteenth time the clubs have been drawn together in the competition, with twelve-time winners United getting the better of eight-time winners Liverpool on ten occasions – the 1990’s meetings offering particularly painful memories for supporters of the Reds.

Erik ten Hag’s side enjoyed a straightforward run to the Fifth Round, courtesy of away wins against Wigan Athletic and Newport County, but found their trip to Forest’s City Ground more challenging – the tie was settled by an 89th-minute Casemiro winner. Jürgen Klopp’s side fought hard away to emerging rivals Arsenal before two late goals secured a 2-0 victory, whilst his side’s youngsters have represented the club well in subsequent home victories against Championship sides Norwich City & Southampton.

There’s an air of change around both clubs at the moment, albeit with the prevailing moods around the clubs feeling very different. Manchester United have recently secured 25% investment from INEOS owner Jim Ratcliffe, who’s group will take control of football operations from long-term owners, the Glazers. United’s supporters enjoyed great success through the 1990s and ‘00’s, but have mainly languished around the Champions League qualification positions since Alex Ferguson’s departure in 2012. Erik ten Hag arrived amidst encouragement two years ago, but little has really changed in regard to the club’s realistic ambitions and his position – and the sustainability of the wider footballing operation as it has existed for many years now – looks increasingly untenable. The process of change is already well-underway for their Anfield rivals too, with Michael Edwards returning to the FSG Group fold – his position differs to the one he previously held at Liverpool, but offers some reassurance as the club embark on the final months of Jürgen Klopp’s time as manager.

Both Manchester United and Liverpool have struggled with relatively high numbers of injuries throughout this season, though both have seen this ease over recent weeks. Erik ten Hag will have observed Liverpool’s free-scoring habits over their matches against Sparta Prague over the last week or so, and may be tempted to use similarly stifling tactics as those observed at the City of Manchester Stadium recently – albeit to no avail, as their city rivals came from behind to win 3-1. Jurgen Klopp’s squad has been transformed by the performances of youngsters who’ve been involved due to necessity during recent months – Jarrell Quansah and Connor Bradley join Caoimhín Kelleher in looking like they’ve been in the first-team for years, whilst Bobby Clark, James McConnell, and Jayden Danns have also contributed positively recently. Liverpool have already won the League Cup and supporters still have hopes of seeing their side lift the FA Cup, Europa League, and Premier League trophies during the final days of Jürgen Klopp’s tenure – on the verge of an international break and with players returning from injury, a combination of senior stars and promising youngers will be trusted to overcome the next hurdle on Sunday.

[PaulF]

Wolves 2 - [3] Coventry; Ellis Simms 90+7' - https://streamin.one/v/ecbea689

Corrected that for you. Ex colleague of mine is a Cov City fan.   If they don't get Liverpool I want to go support them at Anfield South.

[Cafe De Paris]

What a result that is for Cov. Think all remaining teams will be wanting them in the semi. Thing is if you want to win the comp you may have to face off against Chelsea (again) or city.

[shank94]

Win please

[Dougle]

Knobhead here wrote the post he'd committed to doing but went to bed with it still in a Word document rather than posted to RAWK

Good OP too. Bit wordy given the "new style" pioneered by Andy. Gotta move with the times Jack !!

One nasty little fact in your OP though. Utd have got the better of us 10 to 5 in cup meetings. Chimes with my experiences of them over the last 50 years or so. A bloody irritating team to meet. The bounce of a ball has gone their way so many times. However ..... when we beat them we generally murder them of late. A draw suits no-one so they might even come out to play... naw.... Score first and score often. Let's have some fun...

[newterp]

Good OP too. Bit wordy given the "new style" pioneered by Andy. Gotta move with the times Jack !!

One nasty little fact in your OP though. Utd have got the better of us 10 to 5 in cup meetings. Chimes with my experiences of them over the last 50 years or so. A bloody irritating team to meet. The bounce of a ball has gone their way so many times. However ..... when we beat them we generally murder them of late. A draw suits no-one so they might even come out to play... naw.... Score first and score often. Let's have some fun...

Can't have a draw anyway.

[Nick110581]

They can be dangerous on break as they are quick.

I wonder if he will play Bruno in the front three again.

[Hazell]

Thanks for the preview jack

Could have done without that Fernandes pic though.

[duvva 💅]

Thanks for the OPs jack and Andy. Both unique.

Expecting us to go as strong as possible and we’re in much better form than December so hopeful of the win. Though you just never know how these games will go regardless of current form.

[lionel_messias]

"Sympathy is due Ten Hag because of United’s lengthy injury list" just about sums up Wilson's and the Guardian's affection for United. No sympathy for Jurgen then?

The Lidl Haaland is back though!?

Whimper.

[MartinSkrtelsBasement]

If it was at Anfield I would be confident of a steamroll muxh like everyone in this forum.

It’ll be tough I reckon, but we will make the Semi. They are short but will make a game of it. We are confident but we do struggle away from home.

[Bobinhood]

Really looking forward to this now. Pretty much expecting they will raise their game quite a bit, and we wont care or be bothered by it and will find a way, possibly easily, possibly not.

[MartinSkrtelsBasement]

Awat at Emirates in the 5th (?) was the the funnest game of the season imo. The cup ties make better spectacle because there is less at stake in many ways.

[slaphead]

I'm giving up the Paddy's Day Parade with the family for this one, don't let me down lads !
I was on the lash yesterday with about 10 lads, most of them Utd fans too, the cry arsing oh my God. Half of them said they aren't even going to watch it

[Andy @ Allerton!]

Thanks for the OPs jack and Andy. Both unique.

Expecting us to go as strong as possible and we’re in much better form than December so hopeful of the win. Though you just never know how these games will go regardless of current form.

Cheers mate

[Realgman]

I'm giving up the Paddy's Day Parade with the family for this one, don't let me down lads !
I was on the lash yesterday with about 10 lads, most of them Utd fans too, the cry arsing oh my God. Half of them said they aren't even going to watch it

They'll all be watching it man, they will be just watching it without telling you
Ive a few united mates too, radio silence about the game... they'll be doing the same watching it in a secret location no doubt.. but Ill see a few of them later on... so c'mon t'fuck lads, hammer a few in....especially want Nunez to shine..

[JackWard33]

Really looking forward to this now. Pretty much expecting they will raise their game quite a bit, and we wont care or be bothered by it and will find a way, possibly easily, possibly not.

Good way of putting it .. they’ll definitely get fired up for it and might give it a go for 20 but ultimately they’re levels below where we’re at

[slaphead]

They'll all be watching it man, they will be just watching it without telling you
Ive a few united mates too, radio silence about the game... they'll be doing the same watching it in a secret location no doubt.. but Ill see a few of them later on... so c'mon t'fuck lads, hammer a few in....especially want Nunez to shine..

Aw they will. I was surprised though that none of them seem to like Fernandes very much. His 25 penalties in teh first year he was there seems long forgotten now and they see him for the crying prick he is

[amir87]

Good way of putting it .. they’ll definitely get fired up for it and might give it a go for 20 but ultimately they’re levels below where we’re at

Reckon their game plan is heavily reliant on that first goal. We get that and there’s a real chance they get ripped to shreds.

You’re probably right about the first 20 mins. They’ll have the one benefit of having fresh legs so might start with some intent but if we don’t concede I’d expect us to assume complete control.

[MonsLibpool]

https://twitter.com/CBF_Futebol/status/1769144924002234832

Casemiro is injured. They might play Amrabat🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[smutchin]

Ten Hag said “no team can deal with so many injuries” but Liverpool are doing a decent job of it.

Guess who did NOT write this piece:
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/mar/16/klopp-trusts-youth-amid-injury-chaos-as-farewell-tour-arrives-at-old-trafford

[Realgman]

Aw they will. I was surprised though that none of them seem to like Fernandes very much. His 25 penalties in teh first year he was there seems long forgotten now and they see him for the crying prick he is

Yeah , he is a proper Cry Ba, fact is though, without him they would be in even worse shite.... Shows how it's all barely hanging together (if you could call it that) for them, by rights this should be a non event competitive wise.. But many thought the same last bloody game.

[Andy @ Allerton!]

Fuck me. Hate playing these bastards.

Full on PMT

Get fucked.

Can see an early, early start tomorrow. On top of this one now

[johnny74]

They'll do something similar to what they did before and go for a 0-0 but maybe with slightly more emphasis on nicking a goal this time.

I suspect we'll want to keep the ball, quieten the crowd, pen them in, etc. First half shite as usual, second half better. Salah with the assists.

[duvva 💅]

Fuck me. Hate playing these bastards.

Full on PMT

Get fucked.

Can see an early, early start tomorrow. On top of this one now

Why wait. It’s is tomorrow. Get cracking

[vivabobbygraham]

Yeah , he is a proper Cry Ba, fact is though, without him they would be in even worse shite.... Shows how it's all barely hanging together (if you could call it that) for them, by rights this should be a non event competitive wise.. But many thought the same last bloody game.

I don't think the boss had announced he was leaving back then. We're different gravy now. United are getting whacked tomorrow and they know it.

[Andy @ Allerton!]

Why wait. It’s is tomorrow. Get cracking

Still drinking now and listening to angry 80s songs mate.

I have embraced the Aspall

[Dubred]

If it was at Anfield I would be confident of a steamroll muxh like everyone in this forum.

It’ll be tough I reckon, but we will make the Semi. They are short but will make a game of it. We are confident but we do struggle away from home.

To be honest, with the current incarnation of Utd, I think it plays to our advantage that the game is at Old Trafford.  If it was at Anfield, I just don't see them being very adventurous at all.  Ultra defensive.

At Old Trafford, their fans still have delusions of grandeur, and will pressure the team to attack.  And they will.  And it will play right into our hands.

[Barrow Shaun]

Just beat them. Nunez ripping them to shreds would just be a bonus.

[Realgman]

I'll take what yourself Dubred and vivabobbygraham say as red then...
And  I hope Andy @ Allerton!, all the cider doesn't have ye watching the game on the Jacks!!

[Bobinhood]

We shoud start all u-21 except the goalie Virgil and Mo, just to take the piss. 



          Kelleher

Bradley  Jarell VVD Scanlon

  Clark   McConnell   Elliot

   Mo     Danns     Gordon 



No problem    Thats better than them. 

[vivabobbygraham]

We shoud start all u-21 except the goalie Virgil and Mo, just to take the piss. 



          Kelleher

Bradley  Jarell VVD Scanlon

  Clark   McConnell   Elliot

   Mo     Danns     Gordon 



No problem    Thats better than them.

Maybe add the other Macca and I'm all for it

[Andy @ Allerton!]

I'll take what yourself Dubred and vivabobbygraham say as red then...
And  I hope Andy @ Allerton!, all the cider doesn't have ye watching the game on the Jacks!!

I'm taking it easy. I've only got another 12 bottles of Aspall in the house on top of what I had before so I think I'll be fine.

But I think I won't be driving for about 5 days.

[vivabobbygraham]

I'm taking it easy. I've only got another 12 bottles of Aspall in the house on top of what I had before so I think I'll be fine.

But I think I won't be driving for about 5 days.

I'm liking your cider game. You do have some sense then 

[Andy @ Allerton!]

I'm liking your cider game. You do have some sense then 

Easy easy catchy drunky apple

[DangerScouse]

Casemiro injured apparently which is a shame as he's turgid.

We are better than these all over the pitch but this is their cup final so don't see it being easy.

[RedG13]

Great OP Jack. Thanks for Posting Andy
Excited for this.

[spider-neil]

I think the team picks itself with the exception of whether Konate makes the match and if Klopp goes with Gomez or Robertson.

[mckeown07]

Any bars In Manchester that everyone is meeting up in?