Liverpool 1-1 Manchester United - Gerrard recovery & fierce rivalry - English Premier League 2011-12

Liverpool and Manchester United meet at Anfield on Saturday - and the incentive is so great for Kenny Dalglish's side that I am backing them to inflict the first defeat of the season on the champions.

It is a bigger match for Liverpool than it is for United, even though it is early in the season.

This match is the big test for Liverpool because, at the end of the last campaign, they improved so dramatically under manager Kenny Dalglish that plenty were predicting they could really make an impact this time around.

Liverpool spent a lot of money in the summer and started well, only to have a blip when they lost at Stoke City, then delivered a totally unacceptable performance in the 4-0 defeat against Tottenham.

They may not have been brilliant in the wins over Wolves and Everton but they got the job done. Now, if they beat United, they will be within three points of them. If they lose, a nine-point difference looks a very hard gap to bridge.

This is why I believe Liverpool will be right up for this and I think they will win. They are playing the team everyone regards as the one to beat in the race for the Premier League title.

It is a game that has potentially huge ramifications for Liverpool's own confidence and aspirations. If they win, it will send confidence and self-belief soaring - if they lose, it is a long way back.

For Charlie Adam, Jose Enrique, Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson, this is a new experience, while most of United's squad have played in this fixture before.

Liverpool will call on the memories of their 3-1 win against United at Anfield last March, when Dirk Kuyt scored a hat-trick and Luis Suarez was involved in all three goals.

The Kop will look to Suarez to be their match-winner again and this guy is already a hero to Liverpool supporters.

It might be stretching the point to say it is a case of "Fernando Who?" but no-one talks about Torres any more - the name on everyone's lips is Suarez.

I have spoken to a couple of Liverpool players about him and they don't talk so much about what he does on the pitch but about how good he is in training.

The Uruguayan reminds me of Ian Rush. Defenders are drawn into watching him instead of the ball and this guarantees mistakes.

The trick of defending is to make the attacker think about what you are doing. When you spend your time watching the attacker and wondering what he is doing, it causes problems.

This is exactly what Suarez does - he puts pressure on defenders. He has quick feet, natural ability, scores goals and is strong and aggressive. That's some package.

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[football]

A Premier League classic, who will score this weekend?

[justforlescomments]

Come on Liverpool! Fuck em man u scum!

[cfish03]

Cant wait to see Stevie G kissing the camera again on Sat!! YNWA

[PetterKri]

@justynh1 HAHAHAHAH!! Brilliant Man U?! 2-1 against Palace, 2-1 against Basel :D XD

[PetterKri]

@justynh1 I say "Scum" cus i feel like it... Wtf u think? Nothing to do about youe fucking trophy's... And brilliant? Hahaha, 2. place in CL groupe and 8! points! WOW!!! Some brilliant team!! 1-0 over Everton and Swansea, 1-1 over Newcastle. I'm no Scum or L'pool fan, then i can't watch this? Moron... If i say who my team is, you will freak out, so i rather not.

[justynh1]

@PetterKri scum? why coz weve won every trophy going?????? aint our fault were brilliant. N if u aint a utd or liverpool fan what the hell u doing watching this vid????? ur a scouser, with a crap team....

[PetterKri]

@justynh1 Awwww, you crying? :( I offended your precious Scum? Hahahaha! An btw, did i ever say i'm a Liverpool?

[justynh1]

@PetterKri united are shit?????? chamions, in every cup, 2nd in the league by 5 points, be back top by xmas. liverpool - cant win a single league, aint in europe and wont finish in the top 5, whats that say about liverpool??? fucking wank.

[PetterKri]

@justynh1 Scum United are shit. FU!

[lon1bar2mos3]

fagan was too ashamed to stay in charge and by all account keegan was an accessory to murder

[xmyakaxxm]

it might not be the biggest game, but it will be a great game. Im a man utd fans, but i think they might lose. Their defending is too inconsistent... =)