Liverpool vs Manchester United: 3 Key Battles That Will Decide The North-West Derby

Liverpool vs Manchester United: 3 Key Battles

Over the last three decades, games between Liverpool and Manchester United  were always hotly-contested as one of the two teams would always be in the title race, when the games took place. But Sunday’s clash at Anfield won’t be a clash that decides the title race, instead, it is one that has a huge bearing on who finishes fourth and claims the final Champions League spot.

Having won their last five games, the Reds come into this crucial clash hoping to make it six in a row and leapfrog the Red Devils into fourth on the table. The visitors come to Anfield having not let in a league goal for almost five hours and knowing that a win will keep them hot on the heels of Manchester City and Arsenal. Here are the three key battles where this game will be won and lost.

1. David De Gea vs Simon Mignolet

For all the criticism that came his way early in the season, only Fraser Forster has managed to keep more clean sheets than Simon Mignolet this season. Ever since his return to the starting lineup, the Belgian shot-stopper has been in very good form and is one of the main reasons why the Reds have been able to curb the habit of conceding too many goals, which plagued them early on.

The Belgian’s opposite number is arguably the league’s best keeper of the season. Although David De Gea only has 10 clean sheets to his credit, on several occasions, the Spaniard has kept his side in the game or bailed them out of trouble when they were ahead. With an ever-changing back four in front of him, the 24-year-old has done really well to adapt and outshine Thibaut Courtois, who has had a much more settled and confident back four in front of him. With both sides not short on attacking talent, both keepers have to be aware of the threat both from inside and outside the box.

2. Michael Carrick vs Jordan Henderson

With Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard now out of the England reckoning, Roy Hodgson must decide on who he wants to lead the midfield. From his performances over the last 18 months, Henderson has made a case for him being not only the first-choice central midfielder, but also perhaps as a possible future captain of the side. The 24-year-old’s willingness to cover almost every blade of grass on the pitch, coupled with his excellent close control and vision makes him a valuable asset to the Reds lineup.

On Sunday, Henderson will go up against arguably England’s best defensive midfielder in Michael Carrick. The 33-year-old who struggled to get into the England setup has shown just why he is one of the best in the world in the red of Manchester United. His return from injury has coincided with United’s upturn in form. If the Englishman can keep his compatriot quiet and control the tempo of the game, then the visitors will have a great chance of ending Liverpool’s unbeaten run and doing the double over their fierce rivals.

3. Philippe Coutinho vs Juan Mata

There will be plenty of battles happening all around the pitch when United take on Liverpool on Sunday, but arguably the most interesting one will be the battle of the two diminutive midfield magicians in Coutinho and Mata. Both have had tough spells during their time with the respective clubs, but both have shown on more than one occasion just why they need to start every single game.

Although Coutinho has managed to do that, Mata has struggled to get a consistent run in the side this season. But every time he has been on the pitch, the Spaniard has shown just why he deserves to be there. And with both defenses looking less than impenetrable, Coutinho and Mata will certainly have plenty of time and space to work their magic. Whoever comes out on top will go a long way in helping their side win the game.