Liverpool travel to Manchester United’s, “Theatre of Dreams,” Old Trafford, for the rivalry match of all rivalry matches in English Football on Jan. 13, 2013. Manchester United tops the English Premier League and already defeated the Reds at Anfield earlier in the campaign, but in truth it was not a victory that Sir Alex Ferguson’s side truly deserved.
Brendan Rodgers’ side has been in the ascendency in recent weeks. Their most recent league victories over both Queens Park Rangers and Sunderland were dominant displays in which the club showed true class. The six points earned were from two three goal shutouts that have seen the club continue to fuse into the powerful force that their manager is building them to be.
The Luis Suarez show continues to shine, but the arrival of Daniel Sturridge early in the month has presented the club with another option upfront or out wide. The England international took only seven minutes to open his account for the Reds scoring on his debut against Mansfield Town in the FA Cup last Sunday. However, it is yet to be known if he will get a chance to kit up in the first team against the Reds biggest rivals.
Jose Enrique continues to be sidelined with his hamstring injury and is expected to be out until February. That leaves Brendan Rodgers’ biggest decision being whether to use Glen Johnson and Andre Wisdom at the back, or to deputize Stewart Downing to left back and allow Daniel Sturridge his first league start against the club’s oldest and most fierce rivals.
Andre Wisdom just recently joined both Raheem Sterling and Suso as another teenager to pledge his foreseeable future to the club with a new contract. His performances so far this season have seen him play like a player beyond his years. However, it will be a tough decision for Rodgers as their will be no respite from the Red Devils for a young defender and he could become the focus of Sir Alex Ferguson’s attack.
In all likelihood Wisdom will be on the bench and Glen Johnson will reclaim his preferred place, with Downing at the back and Sturridge getting the type of chance to shine that he so desperately had been wanting while with Chelsea.
Projected Liverpool Starting XI: Jose Reina: Glen Johnson, Martin Skrtel, Daniel Agger, Stewart Downing; Steven Gerrard, Lucas Leiva, Joe Allen; Daniel Sturridge, Luis Suarez, Raheem Sterling.
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