Manchester United v Liverpool: Ronny Goodlass talks tactics

Mar 22 2008

HAVING bounced back from their shock FA Cup exit to Barnsley, Liverpool have won their last seven games.

However after showing some typically impressive form in Europe and having come through several games they’d be expected to win, Rafael Benitez’s side now have a real test against the champions at Old Trafford.

Defence

Thomas Kuszczak was back in goal against Bolton after Ben Foster made is long-awaited United debut at Derby.

Tall and agile, he is a good shot stopper.

Wes Brown’s own career has been dogged by injuries but he has played regularly this season because of an injury to Gary Neville.

A strong tackler, he is good both in the air and on the ball.

Patrice Evra is a former left winger converted to full-back while in French football.

A quick, committed and attack-minded defender, he was in the PFA Team of the Year last season.

Rio Ferdinand is the most expensive defender in British football and one of the best too.

Cool in position, his pace often gets him out of trouble and he is a leader on the pitch.

Nemanja Vidic took time to adapt to the English game but his partnership with Ferdinand is now the best in the Premier League.

The Serbian international is tall and athletic and has tremendous heading ability.

Midfield

Michael Carrick is a holding midfielder with outstanding vision and good feet.

The £18.6million signing from Spurs has a broad range of passing skills.

Paul Scholes has been doing the business at the top level for many years now and never gives the ball away.

Capable of spectacular strikes, he still has an eye for a goal and can make his trademark late runs into the area.

Ryan Giggs is another fantastic veteran player who, with 18 major honours to his name, is Manchester United’s most decorated player.

Approaching 750 games for the Red Devils, he has 143 goals to his name and at 34 still possesses pace and dribbling skills.

Cristiano Ronaldo was plucked from Sporting Lisbon as an unknown 18-year-old by Sir Alex Ferguson and is now the best winger in world football.

His breathtaking skills tend to be used more for the team now rather than the showboating earlier in his career.

A regular provider of assists he also has an incredible 33 goals to his name so far this season.

Attack

Wayne Rooney left his hometown club Everton to become the world’s most expensive teenage player and he is now one of the world’s best strikers.

He has strength, power and shooting ability as well as an awareness to create chances for others.

Carlos Tevez is an aggressive attacker who shields the ball well.

The Argentinian is full of confidence and has the skill to take on defenders.

A good finisher, he also likes to drop deep ensuring that he is hard to pick up and is a hard worker.

Dangerman

CRISTIANO RONALDO is in fantastic form.

The Portuguese international bettered George Best’s United’s goals record for a winger with his midweek brace against Bolton and still has another couple of months to add to his tally.

Overall verdict

This is a meeting between the Premier League’s two in-form teams with the two in-form strikers so a draw is on the cards.