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Hello, and welcome to today’s liveblog, as third place Man United take on Liverpool in ninth.
We’ll have the team news shortly.
The teams are in and the big news is that Mignolet’s been dropped by Liverpool, with Brad Jones coming in, while James Wilson starts for Man United.
MAN UNITED: De Gea; Valencia, Jones, Evans, Young, Carrick, Fellaini, Mata, Rooney, Van Persie, Wilson.
LIVERPOOL: Jones; Skrtel, Lovren, Johnson, Moreno, Henderson, Allen, Gerrard, Coutinho, Lallana, Sterling.
Deary me indeed…
Brendan Rodgers explains his team lineup to Sky, saying he wants Liverpool to return to “a more technical game” and to “do what they do best” which is to “be aggressive”.
He also praises Brad Jones as “a very loyal number two” and adds that Mignolet “needs to be away from the spotlight for a while”.
Some reading material for you while you wait for kick-off…
- Resurgent Man United stalk hurting Liverpool
- The Unlikely Lads – the unheralded players that have lit up United/Liverpool games
- Ex-Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen says club has an identity crisis
- LVG will rely on Giggsy to fire up United stars with pre-Liverpool game team talk
- Regardless of league standings, Man United – Liverpool remains English football’s No.1 rivalry
- Five classic Manchester United v Liverpool meetings at Old Trafford
Cillian O’Connor is at Old Trafford today…
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(Liverpool’s Brad Jones warms up before the game)
We’re underway…
Early pressure on the United goal.
Liverpool win a corner, before United eventually scramble the ball clear.
It’s quietened down somewhat since Liverpool’s fast start.
The visitors are still looking the slightly better side though — United have barely gotten out of their half yet.
United are having difficulty keeping possession in the opening minutes owing to Liverpool’s intensity.
GOAL FOR MAN UNITED!
Man United 1-0 Liverpool (Rooney 12)
Valencia goes past Lallana and Moreno too easily and crosses to Rooney, who slots the ball into the corner from the edge of the box.
It comes only seconds after Sterling finished tamely having being put through on goal.
Fergie likes what he sees so far…
Sterling goes past Jones as if he wasn’t there, but De Gea stands up well and blocks the youngster’s shot.
It’s been an open game, as many people predicted it would be.
Liverpool are forced into a change, as Kolo Toure replaces the injured Glen Johnson.
The visitors are continuing to dominate territory, as Southampton did against United in their last game, but as with the Saints, Brendan Rodgers’ side have lacked a killer instinct thus far.
Valencia goes on another marauding run forward, before Joe Allen takes him down cynically.
The Welsh international has struggled to contain United’s wing-back so far, and he is now on a booking as a result of that challenge.
It’s now Valencia’s turn to defend, as Moreno gets in behind him.
However, the Spaniard’s first touch is poor, allowing his opponent to recover and get a challenge in.
Jonny Evans trips Coutinho, and becomes the third United player to get booked.
It’s been very stop-start and scrappy since the hosts’ opening goal.
GOAL FOR UNITED!
Man United 2-0 Liverpool (Mata 39)
Young’s cross is flicked on by Van Persie and Mata heads home at the far post.
It’s a controversial one, as replays show the Spaniard was clearly offside when he scored.
HALF-TIME: MAN UNITED 2-0 LIVERPOOL
Great stat from Sky — in the last two games, United have had five shots and scored from four of them.
So half-time, and United lead Liverpool 2-0.
It hasn’t been a great game to watch, with far too many stoppages.
Neither side has been excellent, but the difference is that United have been clinical when opportunities have come their way, while Liverpool — and in particular, Raheem Sterling — haven’t.
The first goal came as a result of poor defending, while the second was offside, with Brendan Rodgers likely to be under further pressure unless his side can pull off an improbable comeback, with Mario Balotelli looking ready to come on.
Man United, meanwhile, haven’t exactly dominated, but they won’t care, as they look set to earn their sixth successive win, consolidating third place in the process.
The second half is underway, and Balotelli is on…
Half chance for Liverpool, as Sterling does superbly down the left, before crossing to find Henderson.
However, the midfielder’s header fails to trouble De Gea, as it sails over the bar.
Another glaring miss from Sterling!
A backpass is underhit, but De Gea stands up well and blocks his shot.
Then, down the other end, Wayne Rooney has a shot saved by Jones, as the game becomes increasingly frantic.
Another cynical foul from Fellaini, who is on a booking.
Perhaps now might be a good time for Louis van Gaal to take the Belgian international off.
Van Persie is inches away from adding a third for United.
Valencia crosses to the Dutchman, who side-foots it just wide.
Meanwhile, down the other end, Balotelli is tackled by Carrick, who then wins a free kick in his own box.
It hasn’t been the Italian striker’s day so far.
Another great save from De Gea to stop a Balotelli shot, after Jones initially stops Sterling with a superb tackle.
United are defending a little desperately at the moment.
Markovic replaces Moreno, as Liverpool make another attacking change.
In addition, Falcao looks set to come on for United.
GOAL FOR UNITED!
Man United 3-0 Liverpool (Van Persie 70)
United break and Mata unselfishly squares it to RVP, who makes no mistake with the finish.
Game over.
Balotelli hacks down Phil Jones and gets booked.
The Italian needs to be careful not to let frustration get the better of him and add to Liverpool’s woe.
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De Gea gets down well again to save a Balotelli shot.
The Spanish goalkeeper is an obvious candidate for man-of-the-match.
Balotelli flashes another shot just wide, as United’s defence backs off.
As I type, Balotelli is through again, and incredibly De Gea stops him again. Liverpool just can’t find a way past United’s stopper today, and Gary Neville confirms he is today’s man-of-the-match.
Paddy McNair comes on for Phil Jones, after he was hauled off the other day.
Jones has looked impressive enough on his comeback.
FULL-TIME: MAN UNITED 3-0 LIVERPOOL
Right, that’s it from me for now but we’ll have more reaction to follow.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
