Liverpool at Manchester United 02.11.12

7:45am ET, live in the US on espn2

Last four head-to-head:
2-1 Liverpool (h; FA Cup) 01.28.12
1-1 (h) 10.15.11
3-1 Liverpool (h) 03.06.11
0-1 United (a; FA Cup) 01.09.11

Last three matches:
Liverpool: 0-0 Spurs (h); 3-0 Wolves (a); 2-1 United (h)
United: 3-3 Chelsea (a); 2-0 Stoke (h); 1-2 Liverpool (a)

Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Bellamy 6; Suarez 5; Carroll 3; Adam, Gerrard, Maxi, Skrtel 2; Henderson, Johnson, Kuyt 1
United: Rooney 15; Chicharito 8; Berbatov 7; Nani, Welbeck 6; Anderson, Carrick, Park, Valencia, Young 2; Fletcher, Giggs, Jones, Scholes, Smalling 1

Referee: Phil Dowd

Guess at a line-up:
Reina
Johnson Skrtel Agger Enrique
Spearing Adam
Kuyt Gerrard Bellamy
Suarez

Joy. Another match against Manchester United, good for both the heart and soul, in no way a supreme mindfuck which reduces fans to quivering amoebae. This will be the fifth time Liverpool have faced United since Dalglish's return 13 months ago. These are always fun, always well-mannered, and always focused on what happens on the pitch. Right?

In can you hadn't heard: Suarez. Suarez, Suarez, Suarez. Lots and lots of Suarez. Get used to it, because he'll probably be the talking point before, during, and after. Will he start, will Evra shake his hand, will he defecate on the St. George's flag in the center circle then embark on a homicidal rampage, etc etc. Going by the pre-match narrative, football will be a secondary or tertiary concern. Super. Never one to shy from the spotlight, I doubt off-field concerns will prevent Dalglish from starting the Uruguayan, and a singular substitute appearance on Monday should be enough preparation for 90 minutes tomorrow. The most likely scenario is Suarez replacing Carroll as the focal point of Liverpool's attack.

Otherwise, it's unlikely the team will deviate much from that against Tottenham, aside from Enrique's availability. The tactics will probably differ – United will have more of the ball at Old Trafford compared to Spurs at Anfield; Liverpool will focus more on counter-attacking at pace, as at Stamford Bridge and the Carling Cup semi at City – but that should suit the personnel.

Where Liverpool could change is on the flanks. Bellamy, Liverpool's player of the month for the last two months, seems assured of one of the two spots. But Dalglish may want to keep his pace in reserve on the bench, breaking glass if needed. Kuyt's defensive abilities seem less necessary against Young or Valencia, especially if Liverpool's relying on speed when breaking out of their own half, but Kuyt's record in big games is superlative. Henderson, Downing, and Maxi are the other options, but Henderson's been far better in the middle (and Liverpool almost certainly won't play 4-4-2), Downing's in supremely poor form, and Maxi's appearances have been few and far between, although that might change now that his telepathic connection with Suarez can be revived.

And then there's United. Sunday's match at Chelsea was car crash fascinating. You saw the wreck coming from miles away, but couldn't slow down. All you could do was watch helplessly, careening toward the pile-up, certain United would claw back from the 0-3 deficit. As if it'd happen any other way. Chelsea collapsed, because Chelsea collapses. Webb gave two penalties, because Webb gives United penalties. Chicharito scored the crucial equalizer with minutes to play, because Chicharito always scores off the bench. And then De Gea made two unbelievable late saves to ensure the result, because De Gea... well, anyway. It was all somehow both astonishing and expected.

United's injury woes are marginally better than two weeks ago. Ferdinand and Young are available, while Smalling and Cleverley are questionable and Nani, Lindegaard, Jones, Fletcher, Vidic, and Owen remain absent. Rooney will start up front with Welbeck or Hernandez, with Carrick and Giggs or Scholes in midfield, Valencia and Young or Park on the flanks, and Evra, Ferdinand, Evans and Smalling or Rafael in defense.

The home team has won six of the last seven meetings between the clubs – the lone exception was October's 1-1 draw at Anfield. It will take a first class performance from Liverpool to break that precedent. The Mancs are truly dangerous, again among the best in the league despite less-impressive performances and a long injury list. Liverpool have more away wins than home wins and have been better in "big games," beating Chelsea, City, Arsenal, and Everton on their grounds, but have also tepidly lost some away matches they had no business losing. Nonetheless, if past is any precedent, form is most likely meaningless in the M62 derby. Blood, guts, thunder, war minus the shooting, cliche, cliche. Let's just hope all that's limited to the pitch.

Liverpool 0-0 Tottenham

Spurs played for a scoreless draw, Spurs got their scoreless draw.

While Liverpool's attackers could and should have done more, Tottenham's defending merited the scoreless draw. King and Dawson were outstanding, with Parker almost as important. After a paucity of clear cut chances for both sides, each could have scored the winner in the last five minutes, with Friedel and Reina making huge saves on Bale and Suarez.

The narrative will remain the same. Liverpool outplayed a top-three side at Anfield but come away with a draw, the eighth time (out of 12 matches) the score's ended level on Liverpool's ground. Liverpool "dominated," but Liverpool couldn't score. At least this time, more credit goes to the opposition than Liverpool's never-ending wastefulness.

Having lost the last two matches against Tottenham after conceding in the first 10 minutes, Liverpool played it safe to start the match, more focused on keeping possession and setting the tempo rather than an all-out attack, the usual house-afire start. Each keeper was tested exactly once in the first half: Reina claimed Kranjcar's shot from distance in the 32nd, Friedel parried Johnson's blast in stoppage time. Otherwise, opportunities were few and far between at best; Spearing hammered a shot wide, Reina easily claimed an audacious flick from Bale. That's about it.

Given how effortlessly Spurs' midfield has overrun Liverpool's in the last two meetings, whether Liverpool played with two or three central midfielders, a first half with Liverpool on top even if not threatening is progress. Yes, Carroll was isolated and rarely looked like scoring, with both Kuyt and Bellamy just as focused on defensive duties, but the striker's growing confidence clearly improved his touch. And yes, Liverpool were still crossing to little or no effect far too often, as in the first half against Wolves. But having established control, you'd expect Liverpool to push on in the second half, again, as against Wolves. No such luck.

I hate referencing my own often-incorrect analysis, but as written here and here, among others, Liverpool's attack remains far too dependent on crossing. Liverpool attempted 23 crosses in total, with just 4 successful. Which is less than previous worst offenses (43 attempted in the draw against Blackburn for starters), but still too many with the tactic almost wholly unsuccessful today.

The home side had four decent chances to take the lead in the second half – clearly not enough, but bear with me. Just one came from a cross: Carroll, proving his right foot is just for standing, blasted over in the 75th after Kelly's cross fortunately fell in his direction. Otherwise, Kelly's swirling shot from distance in the 59th required a diving save at the near post, Suarez headed Gerrard's free kick straight at Friedel in the 86th, and the same player had two shots blocked after a Carroll flick-on in the 90th following Gerrard's long-range ball over the top. No matter Carroll's supposed strengths, Liverpool cannot play so one-dimensionally, especially when the likes of King and Dawson thrive on defending crosses. There needs to be a Plan B. Even with Suarez coming on for 25 minutes, replacing Kuyt (followed by Downing for Bellamy in the 72nd), there was no Plan B.

Make no mistake, the aforementioned King (who somehow always manages to be fit for Liverpool matches) and Dawson were crucial. At the same time, Tottenham made 25 interceptions in its own half, and importantly blocked seven of Liverpool's 17 shots (four on target, six off target). Walker also did excellently on both Bellamy and Downing. Tottenham barely threatened on the break; Bale nearly snatched an unjust winner with a clever onside run in the 85th, foiled by excellent keeping from Reina and a scrambled clearance, while the same player put a shot wide after charging forward 10 minutes earlier. But a Spurs goal would have been icing on the cake. At Anfield, and with so many players missing, the primary objective was a draw. Mission accomplished.

Unsurprisingly, Liverpool's best players were in midfield and defense. Skrtel was man of the match again, Adebayor's shadow and a rock at the back. Johnson silenced Walker's frequent forays forward. Adam, Gerrard, and Spearing all did their parts in Liverpool's midfield improvement against an opposition that's given them fits in the past; notably, Adam was more consistent, safer in his passing and much smarter in defense.

Once again, it's the attack that let Liverpool down. Even crediting Spurs' near-immaculate defending, that's a very tough sentence to write yet another time.

Liverpool v Tottenham 02.06.12

3pm ET, live in the US on espn2

Last four head-to-head:
0-4 Tottenham (a) 09.18.11
0-2 Tottenham (h) 05.15.11
1-2 Tottenham (a) 11.28.10
2-0 Liverpool (h) 01.20.10

Last three matches:
Liverpool: 3-0 Wolves (a); 2-1 United (h); 2-2 City (h)
Spurs: 3-1 Wigan (h); 1-0 Watford (a); 2-3 City (a)

Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Bellamy 6; Suarez 5; Carroll 3; Adam, Gerrard, Maxi, Skrtel 2; Henderson, Johnson, Kuyt 1
Spurs: Bale 10; Adebayor 9; Defoe 8; van der Vaart 7; Lennon, Modric 3; Assou-Ekotto, Kaboul, Walker 1

Referee: Michael Oliver

Guess at a line-up:
Reina
Johnson Skrtel Agger Enrique
Gerrard Spearing
Kuyt Henderson Bellamy
Carroll

With six days since the last match, there seems little need for drastic changes from the side which beat Wolves three-nil. The only assured alteration is Gerrard's return, for either Spearing, Adam, or Henderson (probably not Spearing).

Yes, I'm well aware Suarez's ban is over. I'm also unsure if he's anywhere near match fitness. He's been back on Merseyside for a couple of weeks after traveling to Uruguay, he's been training, and Dalglish rightfully hasn't ruled him in or out. But I suspect he'll be used similarly to his first match in England, coming off the bench with half an hour to play, when he scored the second against Stoke. Incidentally, he was returning from an extended ban for biting Otman Bakkal prior to that debut appearance.

There's also the question of whether Liverpool will stick with the 4-3-3/4-5-1 formation we've seen over the last few matches. Does Suarez replace Carroll, who's finally hitting his stride, or does Suarez replace Kuyt or Bellamy, playing wider than he usually has for Liverpool? When Suarez and Carroll have both started, Liverpool have almost always played 4-4-2; the exceptions were Suarez on the left of a 4-3-3 in the 0-1 loss at Fulham and 0-4 loss at Spurs. Liverpool have played some decent matches when using 4-4-2, but they've been few and far between, and usually against a lesser caliber of opponents (Stoke in the Carling Cup, West Brom, etc.). Using that formation against a very-in-form Spurs, with Suarez just back from suspension, is an entirely different proposal.

Gerrard will replace Henderson or Adam, as Liverpool need Spearing's defensive abilities in midfield. I suspect Adam's the odd man out due to the simple fact that Gerrard's played deeper in midfield in almost every match this season. He's not the in-the-hole second striker who struck fear into the hearts of defenses in 2008-09; three years and multiple injuries later, he's become far more of an orthodox central midfielder, for better or worse. Henderson's usually been the player drifting between the lines, and he's done surprisingly well, although he played better in the second half against Wolves when more reserved and drifting right. Also, it's worth noting Adam has started all 23 league matches; only he and Enrique are the only outfield players to do so. A more 4-1-4-1ish shape with Gerrard and Adam slightly ahead of Spearing certainly isn't out of the question. Admittedly, given Dalglish's propensity for changes – up there with Benitez at his best – little is out of the question.

Having three in midfield and Kuyt on the right seem crucial with the form Gareth Bale's in. Tracking back – one of Kuyt's favorite tasks – will be necessary, better able to double up on Welsh Jesus with Johnson than Bellamy, Downing, Maxi, or Henderson. And as Zonal Marking points out, Bale's added the ability to come inside, requiring more attention from the central midfielders. It'd be strange to see Downing left out again, but Kuyt looks more likely on the right, and Suarez or Bellamy look more likely on the left. If Liverpool sticks with the formation seen most often of late, that is.

Spurs are deservedly third, true title contenders just five points behind United and City, 11 points ahead of Liverpool. Bale's not the only player in sterling form. Adebayor, Defoe, and van der Vaart also have more goals than Liverpool's top scorer; Modric's been one of the best central midfielders in the league (again), forming an excellent partnership with Parker; and Redknapp has enough confidence in his defense to loan out both Corluka and Bassong during the January window. Spurs have a handful of players doubtful: Adebayor, Walker, van der Vaart, Lennon, and Defoe are all carrying knocks – the first three picked up in Tuesday's match against Wigan – but only Bentley, Gallas, Jenas, and Huddlestone are definitely ruled out. New signings Saha and Nelsen should be in the squad, but neither will likely start.

Liverpool have lost four of the last five matches against Spurs by a margin of 10-4. The last three losses, one under Hodgson and two under Dalglish, have seen Liverpool outscored eight to one. Tottenham have truly become Liverpool's bogey side, not only beating the Reds more often than not, home or away, but making Liverpool look wholly awful in the process. No matter Adam's early red card in September's meeting, Liverpool were second best by some distance, while last May's 0-2 loss was almost equally insipid. Coincidentally, Spurs scored in the first ten minutes of both matches.

This fixture is the first of an exceptionally important run, one which will make or break the season. Three of the toughest matches in the league and two vastly important cup ties: v Tottenham, at United, the 5th round of the FA Cup, the Carling Cup final, then Arsenal at Anfield. The next four weeks will see crucial match after crucial match with little respite. It's imperative Liverpool begins this stretch in the best possible manner.

Three Midfielders, Two Halves

It's been awhile since I trawled through the Guardian chalkboards for interesting items. I know, we all missed it.

I remain convinced that Liverpool changed tact in midfield during the interval. The key seemed to be Spearing, more willing to stay in his own half and shield the defense rather than pressing higher up the pitch and leaving gaps. But the passing chalkboards suggest that all three central midfielders played differently in the first and second halves.





Both Spearing and Adam sat deeper, more content to hold their positions. Henderson was also less involved going forward, attempting fewer crosses (none of which he completed through 90 minutes), more concentrated on the right flank with Kuyt much more a striker. Spearing attempted the same number of passes, Adam and Henderson both attempted fewer. Spearing and Henderson had an improved completion rate, while Adam sacrificed a slight drop in accuracy but provided two much-needed assists.

The passing heatmaps make these trends more noticeable.



Out-and-out attack is all well and good, and often needed for this Liverpool side to score again less-fancied opposition, but the base in midfield is crucial for starting these attacks while still securing the defense. When Spearing and Adam go forward, gaps appear if either, or anyone else, loses possession, especially with both Johnson and Enrique bombing forward, which they did yesterday and often do against less-fancied opposition. And this led to a couple of Wolves' first-half chances, which, thankfully, Wolves couldn't take. Comparatively, the home side had just one second-half chance, Ebanks-Blake's rocket from nowhere, despite needing goals and shifting to 4-4-2 after Liverpool's second.

Liverpool may have had more possession in the first half (55-45% at half-time, 53-47% at full-time), but that's as much down to Liverpool being able to sit and counter after finally getting on the score sheet. Counter-attacking which led to the second and third goals. And a focus on counter-attacking also allowed Spearing and Adam to focus more on defending. But, of course, Liverpool needed to score first for that change in tactic to be successful. Round and round in circles we go.

Admittedly, Spearing's second-half improvement can also be credited to simply playing. He's missed far too much time over the winter months, first due to an unfair suspension, then following an injury in the first leg of the Carling Cup semi. It wouldn't be surprising if he needed time to find his sea legs. Hopefully, now back to fitness, he'll continue this improvement, especially with Gerrard back in the side.

---
Finally, a bonus chalkboard. It has little to do with the point made above, but is just as crucial to Liverpool's style of play and results.



In the first half, Liverpool attempted 17 crosses, completing five. In the second half, Liverpool attempted six crosses, completing two, one the assist for the opener.

Kuyt was 3 for 8 on crosses, Henderson was 0 for 7, Adam was 2 for 3, Bellamy was 1 for 3, and Enrique was 1 for 2. 13 of the 23 total crosses came in the first 20 minutes – an average of one every 90 seconds or so – when Liverpool were clearly on top but, again, couldn't take advantage of dominance.

I've grumbled about Liverpool's crossing before, and had Liverpool kept up its first-half crossing pace, yesterday's match would have rivaled 3-1 at Newcastle and 0-3 at City for most crosses in a league match. Punting the ball toward Carroll is an obvious tactic, something the striker thrives on. But it's not the only thing he thrives on, and usually better for the team as a whole when used as an alternative – a Plan A only if there's a viable Plan B, not the lone source of attack. The second half, where Liverpool attempted fewer and one finally led to an assist, bears that out.

Liverpool 3-0 Wolves

Goals:
Carroll 52'
Bellamy 61'
Kuyt 78'

The result implies dominance, and Liverpool were fairly dominant throughout, but 3-0 did not look likely at half-time.

Sure, had Liverpool taken one of their multiple first half chances, most notably from Kuyt in the third minute, or had Anthony Taylor given Adam an absolutely dead certain penalty in the 35th, the side might have strolled to victory sooner. But after 45 minutes, Liverpool were ruing a lack of control in midfield, poor finishing, and worse refereeing. Not for the first time.

The second half destroyed that notion of further futility quite quickly, as all three strikers made the score sheet. Quickly changing ends after a Wolves corner, with Bellamy nearly set free by a long-range Enrique pass, Liverpool quickly scored from the resulting throw-in. A quick throw from Bellamy, an inch-perfect cross from Adam, and Carroll beating his marker, volleying a low shot past Hennessey. All before the defense had settled thanks to Enrique shifting defense to attack in a moment's notice. Not for the last time.

Nine minutes later, Liverpool's in-form striker sealed the result, finally thanks to the first opposition goalkeeper error of the season. From his own half, Spearing spread to ball to Bellamy on the left flank, given more than enough space to cut in from the left, curling a shot which Hennessey, by all rights, should have parried behind. Maybe what goes around truly does eventually come back around. Kuyt hit the capstone with 12 minutes to play, again started by Enrique and set up by Adam. The left back embarrassed Frimpong just outside Liverpool's box, beating the midfielder with both strength and pace, before blistering a cross-field 60-yard pass to a wide-open Kuyt on the right. The Dutchman passed to Adam and moved into space, and Adam returned the favor after three defenders converged on the ball, with everyone surprised Adam didn't attempt to go it alone when in possession in the penalty box. Kuyt's low finish from a narrow angle was cool, collected, and excellently placed.

Scoring was the most notable second-half improvement, perpetually the most needed improvement, but Liverpool's improvement began with better control in midfield. With Spearing busily chasing all over the pitch in the first 45 minutes, Wolves found it easy to carve through Liverpool at times. I'm adamant that Adam does some good things which are overshadowed by more obvious bad things, but covering for his midfield partner and staying in position are clearly not his strong points. However, in the second half, Spearing seemed more comfortable staying at home, playing more like Lucas usually plays: sitting deeper, covering defenders by sprinting from one flank to the other rather than eagerly charging forward and pressing high up the pitch, which can leave gaps at the back.

To be fair to the home side, they weren't the worst opposition Liverpool's faced this season. Unlike Aston Villa's 90 minutes of insipid torpor, Wolverhampton at least threatened a few times, especially during Liverpool's shaky first half. Edwards' flick forced a decent save from Reina in the 12th, Fletcher headed onto the roof of the net from a quick corner in the 28th, Kightly curled a shot wide in the 40th, and Ebanks-Blake nearly blasted in a hapax legomenon consolation from absolutely nowhere in the 86th.

Nonetheless, Liverpool will have few matches easier than this. It's welcomed relief to comprehensively beat a side that Liverpool expects to beat, one of the rare times that's happened this season, especially over the last few months. 3-0 for the second-straight match on this ground. "Can we play here every week?"

Bellamy was again Liverpool's star man, a constant threat, with twice as many shots on target as the next closest player and now Liverpool's top scorer in the league with his sixth goal in his last six league starts. But at least he had competition from other attackers this time. Carroll continues to improve, looking like a switch might have flicked: constantly closing down defenders, finding more attackers with flick-ons, and notching Liverpool's opener after getting behind covering midfielder Jonsson. Henderson was surprisingly energetic after his exertions in the last two matches, while Kuyt finally got his 50th league goal, scoring for the second-consecutive match. Both deeper midfielders were better after the break, Spearing for the reasons mentioned earlier and Adam for two more assists to extend his team-leading amount.

Winning becomes a habit. Too often, we've seen Liverpool disappoint in these matches and come out worse after the interval after failing to take advantage of a bright start. Not today. No matter the opposition's deficiencies, more of that please. It'll be needed with the run of fixtures Liverpool have ahead.

Liverpool at Wolves 01.31.12

2:45pm ET, live in the US on Fox Soccer Plus

Last four head-to-head:
2-1 Liverpool (h) 09.24.11
3-0 Liverpool (a) 01.22.11
0-1 Wolves (h) 12.29.10
0-0 (a) 01.26.10

Last three matches:
Liverpool: 2-1 United (h); 2-2 City (h); 1-3 Bolton (a)
Wolves: 2-3 Villa (h); 0-1 Brum (h); 1-1 Spurs (a)

Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Bellamy, Suarez 5; Adam, Carroll, Gerrard, Maxi, Skrtel 2; Henderson, Johnson 1
Wolves: Fletcher 9; Hunt, Ward 3; Doyle, Edwards, O'Hara 2; Ebanks-Blake, Jarvis, Kightly, Zubar 1

Referee: Anthony Taylor

You may remember Mr. Taylor from last season's lone Carling Cup match. Or 2-0 Stoke at Anfield. But probably more from the Carling Cup match.

Guess at a line-up:
Reina
Kelly Skrtel Agger Johnson
Spearing Adam
Kuyt Shelvey Downing
Carroll

Same old story. With a tired team after two tough matches in the previous six days, who's available?

Thankfully, it seems Spearing will be back in action, which is even better news considering rumors that Gerrard was taken off against United after a hamstring twinge. Even if Gerrard's hamstrings are fine, whether the substitution was precautionary or tactical, I'd be surprised if he played tomorrow. He's started six consecutive games since returning from an extended absence, and keeping the captain fit has to be one of Dalglish's preeminent concerns.

It seems the perfect match to also bring Shelvey back into the fold, playing ahead of the hopefully-returning Spearing and Adam, who was left on the bench against United. If Liverpool play two up top, partnering Carroll with Kuyt or Bellamy, Shelvey could also start on either flank. Again, if Carroll's available after Saturday's exertions.

The front four (or three) is just as speculative. Liverpool have predominantly played one up top during Suarez's suspension (this is the last match of his ban), with the exceptions being Carroll and Bellamy up front at Bolton and a Kuyt and Bellamy pairing in the first half against Oldham. Neither were especially effective, to put it nicely; Carroll and Bellamy didn't do badly against Bolton, combining for Liverpool's lone goal, but everyone else sure did. The Welshman didn't start against United, but might again be more useful as a speedy, game-changing option off the bench. Energizer Bunny Kuyt, also used as a substitute against the Mancs, never needs a rest, finally in fine form following City and United, while Downing seems more likely than Maxi to stay in the side. Liverpool could also deploy something akin to a three-man strike force, with Bellamy and Kuyt on either side of Carroll.

Enrique has been one of Liverpool's better summer signings, but his form's dropped during the winter months. At fault for United's lone strike, with a similar error against Bolton nearly leading to a goal and unimpressively jogging back without covering on Bolton's second, if any defender needs a rest, it's the left-back. To be fair, he's started more matches than any other outfield player, one of only two outfield players (along with Adam) to start every league fixture. Agger's another who could use a break, but I'd imagine Dalglish will stick with his preferred central pairing if at all possible.

Wolves replaced Bolton in the bottom three after the Trotters' triumph over Liverpool last week. Winless since December 4 – with five losses and five draws over that spell – this is the exact type of fixture that Liverpool should take three points from but the exact type of fixture which rightfully strikes fear into fans' hearts this season. Admittedly, two of Wolves' five draws since December came in good performances at Arsenal and Tottenham, but Wolves have been suffering more often than not for the last two months, demonstrated by the rumors about replacing Mick McCarthy.

With Frimpong and O'Hara injured, and Karl Henry suspended, Wolves' cupboard is nearly bare in central midfield. McCarthy could try to shoehorn Hunt, Ward, or Jonsson in the middle with Edwards and Milijas, but a 4-4-2 with both Fletcher and Doyle or Ebanks-Blake up top looks more likely. Fletcher is far and away the biggest threat, with three times as many goals as his closest competitor. The Scot struck Wolves' early second half consolation in the reverse fixture at Anfield.

It goes without saying that Liverpool need to use last week's cup wins as the basis for improvement over the rest of the league campaign. Disappointing more often than not over the first 22 fixtures, Liverpool are still, somehow, just six points behind fourth and the holy grail that is Champions League qualification. Despite multiple setbacks, that's not an impossible task over the course of 16 matches. We're getting very close, though.

With the magical Suarez returning next time out against Tottenham, Liverpool have one more chance to prove there's goals in the side, especially against supposedly-inferior opposition, without its Uruguayan talisman. The cup runs have been both inspiring and warmly-welcomed, but the club have fewer and fewer chances to improve both its place and performances in the league.

Liverpool 2-1 Manchester United

Goals:
Agger 21'
Park 40'
Kuyt 88'

For the second match in a row: *shakes head* Football, man. Football.

A first half set play goal, followed by increased United pressure and the inevitable equalizer following a defensive mistake. In a 4-1-4-1 formation with Carragher holding in midfield, Liverpool were unable to settle on the ball, in a typically frenetic no-holds-barred cup game.

Then, Dalglish's substitutions changed the game. Bringing on Adam and Kuyt for Carragher and Maxi just after the hour mark allowed Liverpool a greater foothold, with Bellamy for Gerrard 10 minutes later giving Liverpool greater impetus going forward without conceding ground in the center of the park. Meanwhile, Ferguson's response, removing United's third midfielder – the tiring Paul Scholes – for a forward, matching Liverpool's 4-4-2 formation, ensured United were outnumbered in the middle, with Chicharito's theoretical release valve smothered by the impressive Skrtel. Kuyt's late winner, his first second goal of the season, came at the best possible time, a hammer blow with little Fergie time left for a comeback. It's the first late winner (in the final ten minutes) since Johnson's at Stamford Bridge in November, and only Liverpool's third of the season.

The home side had the first chances, with De Gea saving Maxi's fierce shot in the 4th and Gerrard unable to control Henderson's cross in space in the box five minutes later. Meanwhile, Valencia cannoned an effort off the bar after bursting down Liverpool's left in the 17th, cutting in after beating Maxi for pace. But Liverpool struck first, and on a corner no less. Carroll, parked in front of De Gea, cleared out the goalkeeper and three defenders, leaving plenty of space for Agger to connect with Gerrard's cross. His first goal of the season as well, I might add.

But Liverpool were unable to take advantage of the early lead. Dropping deep and unable to settle on the ball, United grew in ambition. Unsurprisingly, Liverpool paid the price for a singular mistake, as Rafael – easily United's best player in the first half – out-muscled Enrique far too easily, sped towards the byline, and cut back for an open Park parked on the penalty spot.

Liverpool needed some stellar defending soon after the restart, as Agger scrambled Giggs' cross out of the six-yard box and Skrtel did well to cover after Reina was exposed, chasing out of his area trying to close down Welbeck, who beat Liverpool's back line to a ball over the top.

Then came the game-changing substitutions. Kuyt provided far more of a threat than the again-disappointing Maxi, even prior to his winner, while Adam added far more to Liverpool's midfield going forward without the feared decline in overall defending. Bellamy replacing the gassed Gerrard was more of a surprise, but removing a midfielder for a striker, shifting to 4-4-2, didn't expose Liverpool in the slightest.

Still, a winner didn't look on the cards. Kuyt had a couple of half-chances – a shot from the top of the box blocked, a downward header from Downing's cross tamely wide – while Welbeck spectacularly spurned a couple of very speculative opportunities. Then, Kuyt popped up with a classic Route 1 goal with two minutes left. Reina punted the goal kick down-field following a wild Welbeck shot, Carroll easily beat Evans to the header, cushioning it perfectly for Kuyt to run onto with Evra caught ball-watching. Bursting into the box, De Gea was unable to save the Dutchman's powerful low shot, and the Kop absolutely erupted. Liverpool should have increased the final margin a minute later, again via Carroll and Kuyt, but the striker's back post point-black header hit the crossbar and the substitute could only toe-poke the rebound wide. Otherwise, the two, along with Henderson, trapped the ball at the corner flag for almost all of the three added minutes, with United wholly out of ideas.

Today was an excellent day for Liverpool's usual scapegoats. Carroll was probably man of the match, heavily involved in both goals. Kuyt scored the winner, with a second game-changing performance after a a few months of disappointment, another big game performance which hopefully marked another second-half-of-the-season resurgence. Adam's entrance vastly improved the side, Downing did well whether on the left or right. Outside of Enrique's mistake, Liverpool's defense rarely, if ever, looked like conceding; Skrtel, again impeccable, deserves special mention, as does Martin Kelly. But, like against City, it was a team-wide win, the proper response to last weekend's utter failure.

It wouldn't be Liverpool v United lately without a focus on off-field concerns. Evra was booed on every touch, which seemed to decrease as the match went on, coupled with reports of repeated Hillsborough chants from the away end (obviously, I wasn't there). More concerning were was a Liverpool fan photographed ostensibly making monkey gestures and a report of three United fans allegedly arrested for spitting on the Hillsborough memorial after the match (later denied by Merseyside Police; whoever started that rumor needs multiple smacks). All are regrettable and worthy of condemnation, the former two unfortunately expected and the latter two especially vile. There are bad people who support every club. Sadly, which probably says too much about what I expect from humanity, I expected worse. Pity there's another on the horizon so soon, with Liverpool traveling to Old Trafford in two weeks with Suarez back from suspension. Please, everyone, be better.

Despite the lamentable need to condemn idiots, all idiots, I really hope the actual football makes more headlines. It deserves to. Liverpool have truly responded to poor performances against Bolton and Stoke, deservingly beating City over two legs followed by yet another Anfield FA Cup win over United. Neither alleviates the long-standing concerns about beating sides Liverpool are supposed to beat, especially at home, but both results are incredibly welcome, far better than the alternative, and a sturdy platform for second-half improvement. Roll on, roll on.

Liverpool v Manchester United 01.28.12

7:45am ET, live in the US on FSC.

Last four head-to-head:
1-1 (h) 10.15.11
3-1 Liverpool (h) 03.06.11
0-1 United (a; FA Cup) 01.09.11
2-3 United (a) 09.19.10

Previous round:
Liverpool: 5-1 Oldham (h)
United: 3-2 City (a)

Last three matches:
Liverpool: 2-2 City (h); 1-3 Bolton (a); 0-0 Stoke (h)
United: 2-1 Arsenal (a); 3-0 Bolton (h); 3-2 City (a)

Goalscorers (all competitions):
Liverpool: Bellamy, Suarez 8; Gerrard 5; Carroll, Maxi 4; Adam, Skrtel 2; Downing, Henderson, Johnson, Kelly, Kuyt, Shelvey 1
United: Rooney 18; Welbeck 9; Berbatov, Nani 8; Chicharito 6; Valencia 4; Giggs, Owen, Young 3; Anderson, Carrick, Fletcher, Jones, Park, Smalling 2; Macheda, Scholes 1

Referee: Martin Atkinson Mark Halsey

Atkinson was supposed to be in charge, but pulled out Thursday with a virus. Halsey, who hasn't refereed Liverpool in more than a year, is his replacement.

Guess at a line-up:
Reina
Johnson Skrtel Agger Enrique
Gerrard Adam
Kuyt Henderson Downing
Carroll

A normal, subdued cup tie, then. Back to routine business after Wednesday's big match. What? Oh, right. Crap. So, do we just talk about the football, humming with fingers in ears pretending nothing but the match exists, hoping that the on-field play is all that'll be worth discussing? Yes. Yes we do.

Who starts for Liverpool is obviously, as always, contingent on who's fit after Wednesday's exertion.

It goes without saying that Bellamy has been Liverpool's best player recently, the main and sometimes only goal threat during Suarez's suspension. But he played 87 grueling minutes on Wednesday, which came after 90 minutes at Bolton. His knees have held up far better than expected (*knocks feverishly on wood*) but three games in a week, especially this week, seems a very long bridge too far.

Admittedly, there are worries about almost every player involved after City, after 90 minutes of high-pressure, heavy pressing, at times end-to-end football. And it's not as if Liverpool are spoilt for options. But that XI was basically Liverpool's best possible XI, and Dalglish will change it as little as possible.

The continuing absence of Spearing and Lucas pretty much demands three in central midfield based on recent evidence, and those three almost certainly have to be Gerrard, Adam, and Henderson. Dalglish spoke about possibly having Spearing back, which would be a massive boon, but I'm doubtful given that he couldn't make the bench two days ago.

Neither Kuyt nor Downing has set the world afire from the flanks, although both did well on Wednesday, but Maxi's been little better lately, we've already discussed Bellamy, and Shelvey's seen few chances. While it's grounded in less concrete concerns, I also fear for Agger, who's only recently gotten over a knock picked up in the first leg against City, caught flat-footed for City's near-winner second goal. And Carroll remains that disappointing expensive elephant in the blah blah blah you get the picture we've been here before.

United have multiple fitness problems of their own. Jones and Nani were injured against Arsenal, joining Young, Cleverly, Owen, Fletcher, and Vidic on the casualty list. Rooney, Ferdinand, and Anderson are also doubtful, but will play – especially the first two – if at all possible. Pity that United are one of the teams most capable of overcoming so many injuries.

The Mancs continue to be a creaky but deflatingly-effective crushing machine, three points behind City and on a three-game win streak having beaten both City and Arsenal following a two game slide against Newcastle and Blackburn bracketing the New Year. Even with the aforementioned players absent, Welbeck, Chicharito, and Berbatov can score goals from nothing, while Valencia's in resurgent form on the flanks. United's potential weakness come in the team's spine. Evans and Smalling have been unimpressive as a back-up pairing, the usual midfield of Carrick and Giggs can be out-numbered and overrun, and neither De Gea nor Lindegaard have been able to make the first-choice goalkeeper position their own.

United were surprisingly defensive in the previous meeting, lucky to come away with a draw when Chicharito got free on a set play, scoring with what was United's second (and only threatening) shot on target. It's doubtful that Ferguson will make the same mistakes, which will require Liverpool's midfield – which contained both Gerrard and Adam – to be as good, if not better, than in October's draw. Also, Liverpool need to take their chances blah blah blah you get the picture we've been here before.

Liverpool are missing key players, United are missing key players. It's a one-off cup tie, on Liverpool's ground. It'll be a typical English masterpiece: blood, thunder, sweat, tears, and kicking anything that moves. Anything can happen. Which, I assume, is something we're all afraid of. The other fear relates to that off-field nonsense we're not acknowledging in the hopes it won't rear its ugly head. La la la I can't hear you.