OCT 15 — The Superclasico to overshadow all other Superclasicos returns to our screens this weekend as Manchester United travel a few miles west to take on Liverpool in the English Premier League.
With apologies to Real Madrid and Barcelona fans (and, perhaps, those of River Plate, Boca Juniors, Rangers and Celtic), I agree with Sir Alex Ferguson's comments yesterday that this is still the most eagerly anticipated footballing event in the world.
Maybe there's now a higher quality of play when the aforementioned two Spanish giants clash but, on a global scale, there's just nothing to compare with the passion and devotion inspired by meetings between the Reds and the Red Devils — especially when they come head to head in a meaningful fixture.
And today's meeting is certainly meaningful. Liverpool's renaissance under Kenny Dalglish largely has continued at the start of the current campaign, with his team collecting four wins from their opening seven games to sit in fifth position at the start of the weekend — six points behind their not-so-friendly near neighbours.
If they can narrow that gap to three points with a win at Anfield later today, Liverpool fans around the world might genuinely start to believe that their side could mount a serious title challenge this season. (For what it's worth, I don't think they will last the course — but let's not spoil any dreams just yet.)
It's not been plain sailing for Liverpool this season. An opening-day home draw against Sunderland was disappointing, and there have also been away league defeats at Stoke and Tottenham. But there are still plenty of reasons for Reds supporters to be cautiously optimistic about their team's chances ahead of this season's first meeting with the old enemy from Old Trafford.
Firstly, Luis Suarez has continued to cement his reputation as a truly world-class striker with four goals and a string of impressive performances. The Uruguayan is well on track to become a Liverpool legend, despite having only joined the club earlier this year, and a match-winning performance this weekend would further enhance his already huge popularity amongst Anfield fans.
Suarez will be well aware of that fact after seeing the generous adulation poured in Dirk Kuyt's direction following the Dutchman's hat-trick against United last season, so the Uruguayan will be desperate to make an impact against a United defence that could still be missing Nemanja Vidic.
A second cause for Liverpool optimism comes from another player whose status as a Reds idol is already assured: Steven Gerrard is ready to return to centre stage after missing six months of action with a groin injury.
Gerrard made his long-awaited comeback as a late substitute in the 2-1 win over Wolves in Liverpool's last home game, and the international break then came at a good time for the all-action midfielder, allowing him to ease himself back and have two further weeks to prepare for the visit of United.
Liverpool should also be buoyed in confidence after winning their last fixture before the international break 2-0 away from home. Any road victory is always a commendable achievement in the Premier League, but this wasn't just any old away game — it was the Merseyside derby against Everton at Goodison Park.
Their cause may have been helped by an unjust red card awarded to Everton's Jack Rodwell when the game was still goalless, but winning the last game before an international break is also a big plus, ensuring that players and coaches take positive thoughts away with them rather than stewing on a defeat. That effect is significantly exacerbated when the victory happens to come away from home against your local rivals.
Of course, reigning champions Manchester United will be feeling pretty good about themselves as well, sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League table after registering six wins and a draw in the opening seven games at the start of the new season. With young players such as Danny Welbeck and Phil Jones reinvigorating the United squad, Sir Alex's troops will be there or thereabouts yet again at the end of the season.
There's also the Wayne Rooney factor to consider — and that one could go either way.
After enduring a week of demonisation for the senseless red card that will see him miss the group phase of England's European Championships campaign next summer, Rooney will be one big bag of frustration when he takes to the pitch at Anfield.
If he can channel that frustration in the right way — resisting the urge to kick an opponent violently on the calves, for starters — it would be no surprise to see him take hold of the game and single-handedly impose his will on the outcome.
However, I have another theory about Rooney. Like many strikers, he is a "streak" player — either scoring in several consecutive games or not scoring at all. His goals and his best form tend to come all at once in a furious flurry — and so do his dips in form.
And I believe his shattering experience with England last week might spark a downturn. Rooney has never been great at dealing with frustration — see last week's game against Montenegro, for example. He's far better when he can just pin his ears back and play without a care in the world.
Only time will tell, but the red card for England could prove to be the catalyst for a dip in Rooney's form. If we have to wait until December to see his next goal, I'll come back and say I told you so; if, however, he scores a matchwinner at Anfield, let's just forget all about it...
* The views expressed here are the personal opinion of the columnist.
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The Malaysian Insider :: Sports
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