Liverpool must ensure Man United clash does not become a season-ruining fixture again

Liverpool must use last season’s crushing and derailing Anfield defeat to their arch-rivals as motivation to ensure a repeat does not materialise on Saturday, writes Ben Twelves.

Last season’s Anfield grudge match came at a time when Liverpool were in resurgent form after a poor first half to the season.

A win would have moved Brendan Rodgers’ side into the top four positions as the business end of the season drew in and the confidence provided would have known no bounds ahead of the final eight games.

But instead of proving to be the day Liverpool demonstrated their top four credentials with a morale-boosting result, it was an afternoon that ended in a defeat that ultimately proved fatal for the Reds’ campaign.

That 2-1 reverse on a dreadful afternoon in March which saw the Reds’ 13-game unbeaten run come to an abrupt end, killed off all momentum, confidence and any hope that the season could end in relatively successful fashion with a top four finish and trophy win.

Complete capitulation followed the loss, with Rodgers’ side left deflated and bereft of belief, and a revived top four challenge was derailed as a result.

Liverpool, playing some hopelessly bad football, went on to win just two of eight remaining league games suffering four defeats, including humiliating losses against Crystal Palace and Stoke, as well as suffering an embarrassing FA Cup semi-final exit against Tim Sherwood’s Aston Villa.

The impact of that defeat against Louis van Gaal’s men on the remainder of the season really was monumental.

On Saturday, the Reds cannot afford to allow the same to happen and last season’s brutal experience must serve as motivation to avoid what could be a disastrous repeat.

Returning to Merseyside with a second loss in as many games would leave Rodgers and his group under immense pressure, and a similar result as to that of March would leave big concerns over how the squad would respond again to a demoralising rival-clash defeat.

Saturday’s encounter may only be the fifth Premier League game of the new-born season and there would undoubtedly be time to put a bad result in Manchester right, but the fall-out and extra-intense scrutiny that would come with a negative score-line would see the Reds facing an uphill task for the season ahead already.

Rodgers’ men arrive at Old Trafford off the back of a dreadful performance and result against West Ham – the Reds must show their changed mentality and bounce back positively at the first attempt against van Gaal’s side.

It will be a task of greater difficulty with main-man Philippe Coutinho suspended following his dismissal against Slaven Bilic’s side – his absence is a huge blow and gets Rodgers’ preparations for a massive game off to a far from ideal start.

But picking up a positive score – especially without key players available such as the Brazilian, Daniel Sturridge, and most likely captain Jordan Henderson – could provide the perfect platform to really progress in a season that, despite taking a heavy knock against the Hammers, started in encouraging fashion with cause for optimism.

Confidence levels that would be instilled from a positive result in Manchester throughout the squad with winnable fixtures against Norwich and Aston Villa to come at Anfield would be a massive boost, and show Rodgers and his squad really are up for the task that lies ahead.

It would also show that the Reds have learnt, improved and acted on the harsh lessons of last season.

With both sides having endured almost identical starts to the campaign with seven points on the board from a possible 12, Saturday’s clash is very much one that could go either way.

It’s a game that also has the potential to be an early season-definer for Brendan Rodgers and his new-look Reds.

This time, Liverpool must make sure that it proves to be a season maker, not breaker.

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Nathaniel Clyne wants Liverpool to attack United from the start

Liverpool travel to Old Trafford on Saturday, and new signing Nathaniel Clyne is looking forward to playing in one of the biggest games in English football.

“One of the reasons I signed for Liverpool is to play in big matches like this,” Clyne told LFCTV GO.

The right-back has settled into life well at Anfield after arriving from Southampton for £12 million this summer.

Clyne is currently away on international duty but knows the importance of the match against the Reds’ fierce rivals. And the former Southampton man has experience of tasting victory at Old Trafford.

“Playing at Old Trafford last season with Southampton and getting the three points was a great feeling. It was a well-deserved victory; we played really well and you have to be on top of your game if you want to come away with three points.”

Clyne wants his new side to take the game to United, rather than sit back and defend deep.

“Working hard, playing on the front-foot and taking the game to them is going to be key. We can’t allow them to pass the ball around as they like to or have too much free space.

“We need to be at their throats from the start, not let them settle in the game, and with the quality we have up front we can cause them problems.”

It was that attacking attitude that saw Liverpool completely dominate this fixture two seasons ago, running out 3-0 winners, courtesy of two Steven Gerrard penalties and a third from Luis Suarez.

But that was a stark contrast to last season, when Brendan Rodgers‘ side were on the receiving end of a 3-0 defeat.

Liverpool play Man United this Saturday (5.30pm BST kick off). Michael Oliver has been named as the referee for the match.

OPINION: Reds must ensure Man United clash does not become a season-ruining fixture again

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Liverpool must ensure Man United clash does not become a season-ruining fixture again

Liverpool must use last season’s crushing and derailing Anfield defeat to their arch-rivals as motivation to ensure a repeat does not materialise on Saturday, writes Ben Twelves.

Last season’s Anfield grudge match came at a time when Liverpool were in resurgent form after a poor first half to the season.

A win would have moved Brendan Rodgers’ side into the top four positions as the business end of the season drew in and the confidence provided would have known no bounds ahead of the final eight games.

But instead of proving to be the day Liverpool demonstrated their top four credentials with a morale-boosting result, it was an afternoon that ended in a defeat that ultimately proved fatal for the Reds’ campaign.

That 2-1 reverse on a dreadful afternoon in March which saw the Reds’ 13-game unbeaten run come to an abrupt end, killed off all momentum, confidence and any hope that the season could end in relatively successful fashion with a top four finish and trophy win.

Complete capitulation followed the loss, with Rodgers’ side left deflated and bereft of belief, and a revived top four challenge was derailed as a result.

Liverpool, playing some hopelessly bad football, went on to win just two of eight remaining league games suffering four defeats, including humiliating losses against Crystal Palace and Stoke, as well as suffering an embarrassing FA Cup semi-final exit against Tim Sherwood’s Aston Villa.

The impact of that defeat against Louis van Gaal’s men on the remainder of the season really was monumental.

On Saturday, the Reds cannot afford to allow the same to happen and last season’s brutal experience must serve as motivation to avoid what could be a disastrous repeat.

Returning to Merseyside with a second loss in as many games would leave Rodgers and his group under immense pressure, and a similar result as to that of March would leave big concerns over how the squad would respond again to a demoralising rival-clash defeat.

Saturday’s encounter may only be the fifth Premier League game of the new-born season and there would undoubtedly be time to put a bad result in Manchester right, but the fall-out and extra-intense scrutiny that would come with a negative score-line would see the Reds facing an uphill task for the season ahead already.

Rodgers’ men arrive at Old Trafford off the back of a dreadful performance and result against West Ham – the Reds must show their changed mentality and bounce back positively at the first attempt against van Gaal’s side.

It will be a task of greater difficulty with main-man Philippe Coutinho suspended following his dismissal against Slaven Bilic’s side – his absence is a huge blow and gets Rodgers’ preparations for a massive game off to a far from ideal start.

But picking up a positive score – especially without key players available such as the Brazilian, Daniel Sturridge, and most likely captain Jordan Henderson – could provide the perfect platform to really progress in a season that, despite taking a heavy knock against the Hammers, started in encouraging fashion with cause for optimism.

Confidence levels that would be instilled from a positive result in Manchester throughout the squad with winnable fixtures against Norwich and Aston Villa to come at Anfield would be a massive boost, and show Rodgers and his squad really are up for the task that lies ahead.

It would also show that the Reds have learnt, improved and acted on the harsh lessons of last season.

With both sides having endured almost identical starts to the campaign with seven points on the board from a possible 12, Saturday’s clash is very much one that could go either way.

It’s a game that also has the potential to be an early season-definer for Brendan Rodgers and his new-look Reds.

This time, Liverpool must make sure that it proves to be a season maker, not breaker.

More: Blog, Man United

Currently studying sports journalism, I'm an Anfield regular who can normally be found in the Kop or Anfield Road End.

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Sunderland forward regrets not pushing for Liverpool move

Sunderland forward Ola Toivonen admits he regrets not pushing harder for a move to Liverpool when the Reds showed interest in 2010.

View image | gettyimages.com

The Swedish attacker was heavily linked with a move to Anfield under Roy Hodgson’s short time as Liverpool boss.

“A couple of years ago it looked like I would be joining Liverpool when Roy Hodgson was there,” explains Toivonen – who was at PSV Eindhoven at the time.

“Not fighting hard enough for that to happen is something I regret in my life.”

Toivonen moved to France last summer, enjoying a year with Rennes before he signed for Sunderland and finally got his move to the Premier League.

Not joining Liverpool in 2010 though definitely seems to be a major regret for the 29-year-old.

He spoke similarly last year, saying: “The only thing I regret from my time at PSV is that I did not fight hard enough to get the club to let me join Liverpool.

“They tabled two offers while Roy Hodgson was the coach.”

Toivonen was linked with a move to Liverpool at a time when Hodgson signed Paul Konchesky and Christian Poulsen and was allegedly also targeting West Ham striker Carlton Cole. Oh those were the days.

MYTH SERIES: Liverpool fans never gave Hodgson a chance

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Liverpool FIFA 16 Ratings: Jose Enrique overrated, Emre Can underrated?

The Liverpool squad has been rated for the upcoming FIFA 16 release, with both Jose Enrique and Emre Can ranked rather questionably.

Image: Futhead.com

Ahead of the release of EA Sports’ latest instalment in their FIFA franchise, FIFA 16, player ratings for this season’s Liverpool squad have been revealed by Futhead.com.

Each player is rated based on a number of attributes including pace, dribbling, passing and defensive ability.

The accuracy of these ratings however, is highly questionable.

Philippe Coutinho is, understandably, Liverpool’s highest-rated player, with a rating of 84, while Daniel Sturridge (83), Roberto Firmino (82) and Christian Benteke (82) also lead the pack.

Since joining Liverpool this summer, James Milner (from 78 up to 80), Nathaniel Clyne (from 76 up to 81) and Danny Ings (from 71 up to 75) seem to have seen a major increase in their ability, with their ratings boosted considerably from their representation in FIFA 15.

Simon Mignolet (from 82 down to 78) and Dejan Lovren (from 80 down to 79), however, have seen their stocks fall between releases.

Perhaps most striking is the low valuation of new Reds captain Jordan Henderson, whose ability remains rated at just 79.

Lucas Leiva and Alberto Moreno are also rated at 79, while Kolo Toure is just one point lower, at 78.

Incredibly, EA Sports rate part-time footballer Jose Enrique at 77. This is equal to Joe Allen and higher than Ings, Emre Can (75) and Jordon Ibe (70).

Divock Origi (76) is also, unfathomably, rated higher than Can and Ibe.

View all of the Liverpool squad’s FIFA 15 and FIFA 16 ratings below:

• FIFA 16 is released on September 24th. Pre-order it from Amazon here.

How would you change Liverpool’s FIFA 16 ratings, and why? Let us know in the comments below.

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Christian Benteke third most overpriced transfer of the summer, says European study

A study has found Christian Benteke as one of the most overpriced signings of the summer transfer window, while Nathaniel Clyne was undervalued.

Liverpool overspent on Christian Benteke, but brokered a good deal for Nathaniel Clyne, according to a study of Europe’s summer transfer activity by the CIES Football Observatory.

Benteke made the £32.5 million move from Aston Villa in July, but the Reds paid well over his estimated value.

The study suggests that the Belgian’s genuine worth was just under £20 million.

This overvaluation of £12.5 million ensures that Benteke is the Football Observatory’s third-most overpriced transfer of the summer window.

Manchester United’s £36.5 million deadline-day signing Anthony Martial tops the list, while Manchester City’s reported £54 million outlay on Kevin De Bruyne, Benteke’s international team-mate, comes in second.

Interestingly however, Arsenal’s signing of Petr Cech (£11 million) and Crystal Palace’s move for Yohan Cabaye (£10 million) are both also considered overpriced.

This points towards an element of subjectivity required in evaluating this study, with Cech and Cabaye arguably two of the bargain signings of the summer.

Benteke’s inflated fee was forced by the hardline stance adopted by Aston Villa, with the club demanding the Reds trigger his buyout clause.

Villa didn’t need to sell Benteke, and this gave Liverpool no other option.

More encouraging is that Nathaniel Clyne’s £12.5 million move from Southampton to Liverpool is considered one of the bargains of the summer.

The Football Observatory value Clyne at £18 million, meaning the Reds underpaid by £5.5 million.

However with the 24-year-old entering the final year of his contract with the Saints at the start of the summer, this is debatable.

Clyne remains one of the standout signings of the transfer window, with the Englishman looking set to shore up Liverpool’s right-back slot for seasons to come.

Regardless of his contract situation, £12.5 million for a player of Clyne’s talent, potential and temperament ensures this is a great piece of business for Liverpool, with his strong performances in the first four games of the season showing a consistency and defensive strength that Brendan Rodgers‘ side had previously lacked.

The organisation’s top bargain signing of the summer is Raheem Sterling.

Manchester City paid £49 million to secure the services of the former Liverpool winger, but the Football Observatory value Sterling at close to £70 million.

It is, of course, unlikely that any club would have paid that much for a relatively unproven 20-year-old.

But on the basis of this study, Liverpool were once again naive in the transfer market this summer.

• Read more: Tactical Analysis: How Liverpool can get more out of Christian Benteke

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Football politics: Lazar Markovic and the mystery of ‘boardroom transfers’

Lazar Markovic has been touted as a ‘committee signing’ – a gamble of £20 million and loaned out too early, writes Danny Gallagher.

It’s not easy being a Liverpool fan. At the best of times the club leaves us scratching our head and, more often than not, tearing out hair completely.

It’s one thing to be confused by the club for the most apparent of things, but when it comes to confusion over dubious or seemingly nonsensical transfer dealings – you wouldn’t be blamed for wanting to give up all together.

Last week brought the bemusing news that Reds winger Lazar Markovic was being shipped out to Turkish outfit Fenerbahce.

Just twelve months after being purchased for the tidy sum of £20 million, Markovic was wheeling his case through the Anfield exit door – leaving many Kopites perplexed and wondering who exactly strings together the childlike logic that is the Liverpool football club transfer strategy.

At what is considered an elite tier football club, it is commonplace for a player to be discarded after a year of indifferent performances.

Players who remain in a monochrome blur and fail to catch the eye usually part company with their employers without so much as a second glance from fans… but such players are not usually the owners of a 20 million pound price tag.

Markovic is a curious case. He arrived shrouded in blind expectation, with age on his side and a host of eastern European journalists singing his praises.

I’m willing to suggest the Youtube search ‘Lazar Markovic skills’ went into overdrive once the Serbian put pen to paper on his Liverpool deal.

Fans were excited, I myself was also sold – this lad can play, I instantly thought.

Summer 2014 ticked on, debut time arrived for the Serb – Olympiakos the opposition. A substitute cameo it may have been but Markovic played all the right notes, each one in tune.

Nice touches, agile movement, conservative yet dangerous in possession.

A fierce shot whistling just over the bar after cutting in from the left wing capped off his first Reds outing.

Injury struck and the season thereafter was mixed, for both the Serb and the club itself. In a season of chronic under achievement with little positives, it appeared the 2015/16 campaign would be a clean slate for all, another crack of the metaphorical whip.

But that seems simple – and football just refuses to be simple.

Markovic heads off on loan, Mario Balotelli not far behind him – while earlier in the window Javier Manquillo was sent home quicker than a chicken pox infected schoolboy. Elsewhere, Rickie Lambert had already bought a house in the Midlands.

Each were brought in during the previous window to help bolster the squad, offer niche qualities and generally lift Liverpool to the next level – which from the 2013/14 season could only be aggressive title contention and nothing less.

Yet no sooner had these players arrived on the conveyer belt into Melwood they were doing the rounds straight back out – no more desirable than unclaimed luggage, it seemed.

This raises the debate over players being a ‘Rodgers signing’ or a ‘committee signing’ – a ‘boardroom signing’ as it were before LFC introduced the much debated ‘transfer committee’. Truth is it’s a mythical term often the subject of ill-use when a manager or chairman doesn’t want to take responsibility for a failed gamble.

A typical ‘boardroom signing’ can be easily identified in most teams, and differs in appearance depending upon the economic might of the club in question.

A typical ‘boardroom signing’ usually fulfils the same criteria: they must be cost-effective, they must be suitable to play in the position where the club is player-light and they must have a reasonable if not similarly priced resale value.

Essentially a game of minimal gamble, minimal risk. Did someone just mention Oussama Assaidi?…
A better example of this can be highlighted with Tottenham Hotspurs’ under-the-radar purchase of Nacer Chadli.

In the wake of Gareth Bale’s headline dominating departure, Spurs began to flutter out the notes faster than Jordan Belfort on a Wall Street bender.

Yet Chadli’s modest £7 million arrival got chins wagging in the football world all the same – who was this player and for what reason was he being added to the squad alongside the big buck signings of Christian Eriksen and Eric Lamela?

Chadli was very much a ‘boardroom signing’ by every degree of the term.

He was young, athletic, potential-laden, had strong resale value (pending any freak injury) and, most importantly, was cheap enough to represent great value.

Minimal risk, minimal gamble.

If Chadli proved to take to the Premier League like a duck to water and fill the exceptionally unique boots of Gareth Bale – fantastic.

If not, his bags would be packed and he would be stealthily escorted out of the back door before any fans could muse about ‘that Belgian midfielder’.

As it happens, Chadli has fared reasonably well at Spurs, without setting the world on fire. His signing draws many parallels with that of Markovic – everything that is, except the price.

If indeed Markovic did turn out to be a Liverpool ‘committee / boardroom signing’ the figures simply don’t compute.

This, for the moneyball-esque Fenway Sports Group, makes very little sense.

It’s hard to determine what Liverpool’s current thinking is with Markovic. Sending him off to an exciting yet inferior league in Turkey creates a conundrum all of its own.

Does one successful year in the Turkish Super Lig make one deserving of a Premier League starting position? I’m sure most people’s answer to that one would be no, no it doesn’t.

So then where does this leave us? Interpreting the club’s logic is guess-work at best, but all fingers point to the Reds hierarchy hoping Markovic bosses a league which is comfortably beneath his level of ability.

A solid season in Turkey gets tongues wagging and cheque books opening.

It’s disappointing that after a solo season the Reds are set to cash in on an asset who has shown flashes of strong potential – but that is seemingly the direction this tale is taking.

Liverpool and Spurs are often pitted against each other in a table of comparisons – a common theme being mistakes in the transfer market.

When it comes to ‘boardroom signings’, both clubs are guilty of their fair share.

On this occasion however, placing the individual examples of Markovic and Chadli under the spotlight – would anyone back the Reds on being the more strategic and forthright of the two?

Good luck recouping £20 million, Liverpool. Back to the drawing board.

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