With Manchester United visiting Liverpool and facing a potential third loss in the space of a week, Danny Murphy answers the biggest questions ahead of the clash.
The Red Devils will be without Bruno Fernandes for the tie after he was booked for dissent in the 3-0 defeat against Bournemouth.
However, Murphy writes that missing Fernandes will make an easier game-plan for Erik ten Hag, with a more solid midfield.
He also argues that Marcus Rashford should be named as captain despite his ailing form, answers whether another 7-0 is on the cards, and gives a surprising combined XI of the two sides.
NO BRUNO, NO PROBLEM?
The United captain’s suspension makes the manager’s game-plan easier. Bruno is a great player but to shoehorn him into the team at Anfield, Erik ten Hag would have needed to play him out wide.
Without him, United can be more solid with a midfield three of Sofyan Amrabat, Kobbie Mainoo and Scott McTominay, and have pace on the flanks for counter-attacks by Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Antony.
If Bruno occupied one of those positions, he wouldn’t be quick enough in transition and this way McTominay can get forward to support Rasmus Hojlund.
WHO TAKES UNITED ARMBAND?
If I’m Ten Hag fighting for my job, I am putting Rashford straight back in the team after illness — with the armband.
I’m sure some fans won’t like it given his disappointing form this season but a manager’s job is to get his best players playing. Rashford is one of them so take a risk, give him extra responsibility and see how he does.
It’s not as if Antony or Garnacho are undroppable. Garnacho has been great this season but looked jaded of late. But he might still be worth deploying on the right so Rashford can go into his preferred position on the left.
PLAY NATURAL GAME OR TWEAK TACTICS?
We all know the United tradition of playing on the front foot but sometimes you need to respect the opposition — it’s the best way to get a result.
I played in many Liverpool-United games when they were the best team in Europe and we were underdogs like United are now.
If Ten Hag tries to go toe-to-toe, United will lose heavily. They should be pragmatic and use the pace of Rashford and Garnacho down the wings to give Liverpool problems.
United have to put their egos at the door, accept they are not as good as Liverpool and find a plan to win any way.
ARE INJURIES TO BLAME FOR UNITED’S POOR FORM?
Partially They lost games and conceded goals when players like Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez were fit, so it’s not the only factor. Of course the number of changes, particularly in defence, aren’t helpful but it’s not the reason they’ve lost more games than they’ve won this season.
HOW IS ALEXANDER-ARNOLD BEST USED?
The hybrid role he’s playing, stepping out from right-back into midfield, has worked well this season. I know Trent is a full-time midfielder for England but they play a different way — they don’t use inverted full-backs. If he went into midfield, Liverpool would lose potency because you’d get a more defensive right-back like Joe Gomez and have to leave out one of the midfielders like Ryan Gravenberch or Curtis Jones, reducing their overall attacking threat.
England and Liverpool have different personnel — Jurgen Klopp doesn’t have a Declan Rice or Kyle Walker, for example — so it makes sense for Alexander-Arnold to play a hybrid role for his club, and solely in midfield for his country.
IS THIS MO SALAH’S SWANSONG?
I thought he might go to Saudi last summer but now I feel he may stay next year, too. He seems to believe in the new project at Liverpool and is enjoying his role as a senior player in Klopp’s latest team.
Salah is already in Liverpool’s greatest XI and probably the ultimate Premier League XI as well but I can’t see him superseding Kenny Dalglish or Steven Gerrard because they were at Anfield so long.
One day, Salah may go to Saudi. But he’s as fit as a fiddle so there’s lots of time for that.
IS ANOTHER 7-0 POSSIBLE?
I’d be flabbergasted. For a 7-0, everything has to go wrong for one team and right for the other. I think this will be much closer.
SECRET OF YOUR SUCCESS AGAINST UNITED?
Tactics were important. We stayed compact, disciplined and tried to make it really hard for a great United team. Individual pride also counts for a lot in the dressing room. We had guys such as Gerrard and Michael Owen who were fed up with all the trophies United were winning and wanted to show they were every bit as good as United’s star players like David Beckham, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs.
United’s players have to try to emulate that. Rashford and Garnacho have to have the mindset of going out there and overshadowing Salah. Hojlund should want to prove that he’s a better centre-forward than Darwin Nunez.
That desire can work wonders. One of my favourite memories was walking off at Old Trafford with a 1-0 win, me scoring the winner and Stevie G voted man of the match.
Evans0323
0
he is absolutely talking nonsense
It pay off today
Mullerpelly
1
Bruno don’t want to remember That day of 7-0 😂😂😂
Alerk
0
a draw or win 4 Manu means number 1 spot for Arsenal. Come on Arsenal 😘
You must also win Brighton bro
muhceilrst
0
I think Hannibal ,martial, pelistri, Hojlund, amad , Mount,casamero, shaw, Bissaka, verane and the second keeper should start against Liverpool,then introduce Garnacho,Rash and Dalot in the 60th minutes, that's the right time Ganacho and Rash can bring an extra pressure against Liverpool defense for positive results
nuocdeknr
0
I won't like to see this guy not playing I mean Bruno F he's good
malablata
0
Arsenal is not a threat so get that into your skull. Arsenal are only title pretenders. I’m so surprised that u actually believe that your title pretenders can get any positive result at anfield. Player to player, we’re better than arsenal. Only Bruno Fernandes will get into our team among Man U players.
Player to player......🤣🤣🤣🤣. Aside from Salah, the rest are all thrash.
Niweklos
0
Arsenal is not a threat so get that into your skull. Arsenal are only title pretenders. I’m so surprised that u actually believe that your title pretenders can get any positive result at anfield. Player to player, we’re better than arsenal. Only Bruno Fernandes will get into our team among Man U players.
u can't beat arsenal man.besides, arsenal has won the league already
shaffer12
3
I am never happy that bruno will be absent,but in other hands most of you who believe Bruno is the problem will surely see how important is he for his absence.
Cadbcilmst
0
yes to analyze the midfield, that's what good midfielder does, you will tell me who will make those long range blockbuster pass to break defense, he's the best player united got y'all too blind to see that....👌
tell me out of 10 long passes or crosses hw many of those r not wayward passes, I knw he' s a good midfielder,bt most of de time jst arguing n not trying to see hw he n de uder players can change de game.
Kfivekid
0
Murphy is rite,they can play with more freedom ,move de ball faster ,sometimes Bruno hang on de ball too long ,
yes to analyze the midfield, that's what good midfielder does, you will tell me who will make those long range blockbuster pass to break defense, he's the best player united got y'all too blind to see that....👌
Cadbcilmst
1
Murphy is rite,they can play with more freedom ,move de ball faster ,sometimes Bruno hang on de ball too long ,
FahadAziz75
0
a draw or win 4 Manu means number 1 spot for Arsenal. Come on Arsenal 😘
Fawbdemn
1
yess Bruno must be rest.. I support you 100 percent
DeeLastborn
0
Very well
Huhcemyz
0
Good news for Man Utd that Bruno is out, he's a serious problem to the team. Man Utd don't need to go to Liverpool and join those egoist in flow show of supremacy. All Man Utd needs to do is frustrate them. Don't let them beat you, if even they try to beat you, injure them, make them to play nothing after playing you. This used to be my tactics on bullies, if I can't beat you, I will bite you anywhere, the aim is that you should go with mark. Liverpool talks a lot forgetting to know they themselves were thrashed 7 by Aston Villa. Their wide mouth will make me a Man Utd supporter for the game. Those floppapool should know they have Arsenal next.......be warned.
Arsenal is not a threat so get that into your skull. Arsenal are only title pretenders. I’m so surprised that u actually believe that your title pretenders can get any positive result at anfield. Player to player, we’re better than arsenal. Only Bruno Fernandes will get into our team among Man U players.
ausesay
0
Trust me I am glad Bruno is out of this game, sometimes his attitude weigh the team down, and I think he normally get scared when the game gets physical.
Lizbcderuy
0
he is absolutely talking nonsense
Dreamer77
1
You ever watch man UTD play without Bruno. or you just hate the guy
Menn..we are awful without bruno and same time bruno is the issue no competition in the midfield….that’s why he plays like an amateur some days
Hehbcopru
1
I always say this that this Man U team without Bruno is strong side. those who know football well will understand, I can smell win for Manchester U today. the problem man U have at the moment is the don't play as a team, especially this useless Antony, and Martial, and GarnaCho they always want to score even when they know that the can't score . Mc Torminey is the most dangerous player in the current man U squared but people underestimate him
You ever watch man UTD play without Bruno. or you just hate the guy
Roddiklmpr
2
I always say this that this Man U team without Bruno is strong side. those who know football well will understand, I can smell win for Manchester U today. the problem man U have at the moment is the don't play as a team, especially this useless Antony, and Martial, and GarnaCho they always want to score even when they know that the can't score . Mc Torminey is the most dangerous player in the current man U squared but people underestimate him
Pubcelnrt
2
Only the stupidity that call Bruno out of united squads 🙄 Nonsense post Bruno is the best for united believes me you will miss him today
ReptilianFans
0
Danny Murphy, of all your analysis, saying Hojlund has to go out there to prove he's a better striker than Darwin Nunez got me laughing. They are at the same level Danny, both are friends of opposition defenders and their biggest instinct is to miss goal......Please give another good example, Alpha and A that's the same thing.
i still think that Hojlund is higher on the list than that joke girly braided Nunez. i feel bad for Hojlund actually, at United his winger is Garnacho, Rashford and Antony who RARELY give him crosses.. they are to selfish and try to score for themselves. they preferred taking impossible shots from distance and that is just ridiculous.
ReptilianFans
1
Good news for Man Utd that Bruno is out, he's a serious problem to the team. Man Utd don't need to go to Liverpool and join those egoist in flow show of supremacy. All Man Utd needs to do is frustrate them. Don't let them beat you, if even they try to beat you, injure them, make them to play nothing after playing you. This used to be my tactics on bullies, if I can't beat you, I will bite you anywhere, the aim is that you should go with mark. Liverpool talks a lot forgetting to know they themselves were thrashed 7 by Aston Villa. Their wide mouth will make me a Man Utd supporter for the game. Those floppapool should know they have Arsenal next.......be warned.
GO UNITED!!! really fed up with those liverpool fans' trash talk lately.. talking all high and always try to bully others.. but forgetting that they just found some good form only recently. Man Utd will bag you this time around.
ReptilianFans
0
don't tell me ten is the problem,players are the problem.
the wingers at man utd is selfish. they preferred to have an impossible shot from such distance than try to cross to find Hojlund. look at Garnacho, scored one bicycle kick and then tried to do it in every games. Antony is all run and shot off target. they never really cross the ball to the main striker. poor Hojlund. Anyway, i hope man utd win this game against liverpool. we love underdogs winning.
Colito
0
Good news for Man Utd that Bruno is out, he's a serious problem to the team. Man Utd don't need to go to Liverpool and join those egoist in flow show of supremacy. All Man Utd needs to do is frustrate them. Don't let them beat you, if even they try to beat you, injure them, make them to play nothing after playing you. This used to be my tactics on bullies, if I can't beat you, I will bite you anywhere, the aim is that you should go with mark. Liverpool talks a lot forgetting to know they themselves were thrashed 7 by Aston Villa. Their wide mouth will make me a Man Utd supporter for the game. Those floppapool should know they have Arsenal next.......be warned.
focus on arsenal job 💪
malablata
0
Die Die must beat Liv so your team will go top is that what you meant?
Look, I am not about Man Utd beating you, your mouth keep being sharp because you have no injured players, all your players are fit, yet you still flopped and depend on refs and VAR. All I want Man Utd to do to you is frustrate you. If they can send Mo Salah on atleast six weeks injury, that will be more than defeat. One player dependent team.
Jusbcdpsz
2
Only unreasonable Man United fans will assist clueless rival fans in calling out Bruno... I wish he leaves for another club and let's see if we have any other player than can stay fit and play the number of games that Bruno does for us. I understand rivals want our players out but I cant understand united fans disrespecting Bruno because of his personality and the teams current low form
Sutdeorz
3
Luke shaw should be the captain
HezekiahAlakiri
0
Bruno's absent can lead to 7 down, not 7: up
bamcimnpty
0
Good news for Man Utd that Bruno is out, he's a serious problem to the team. Man Utd don't need to go to Liverpool and join those egoist in flow show of supremacy. All Man Utd needs to do is frustrate them. Don't let them beat you, if even they try to beat you, injure them, make them to play nothing after playing you. This used to be my tactics on bullies, if I can't beat you, I will bite you anywhere, the aim is that you should go with mark. Liverpool talks a lot forgetting to know they themselves were thrashed 7 by Aston Villa. Their wide mouth will make me a Man Utd supporter for the game. Those floppapool should know they have Arsenal next.......be warned.
Die Die must beat Liv so your team will go top is that what you meant?
bamcimnpty
0
Good news for Man Utd that Bruno is out, he's a serious problem to the team. Man Utd don't need to go to Liverpool and join those egoist in flow show of supremacy. All Man Utd needs to do is frustrate them. Don't let them beat you, if even they try to beat you, injure them, make them to play nothing after playing you. This used to be my tactics on bullies, if I can't beat you, I will bite you anywhere, the aim is that you should go with mark. Liverpool talks a lot forgetting to know they themselves were thrashed 7 by Aston Villa. Their wide mouth will make me a Man Utd supporter for the game. Those floppapool should know they have Arsenal next.......be warned.
That's a good went.
aldoaldhayatt
0
Even though I'm a ManUtd fan as for this game Lpool will make the winning history again but this time will be Pool 5 ManU 0...
Fipdimrsty
2
Bruno has been a very big problem for this team
Fipdimrsty
0
God bless you man
Mebacoy
1
Portuguese Baby Is Always Crying 😭😂
razaeimnps
6
don't tell me ten is the problem,players are the problem.
Mebacoy
2
Martinez Is Sick Of Mo Salah 😆🤣
wenamnors
4
If we named Trashford as Captain, the whole team will be jogging around like they don’t care, giving balls away cheaply and not chasing it back. This Murphy is talking trash just like his playing days.
Fetaikos
1
Hah.. i'll get back to you once i know the results.
do you also think that they will beat as the same?
Starblinks
0
Good news for Man Utd that Bruno is out, he's a serious problem to the team. Man Utd don't need to go to Liverpool and join those egoist in flow show of supremacy. All Man Utd needs to do is frustrate them. Don't let them beat you, if even they try to beat you, injure them, make them to play nothing after playing you. This used to be my tactics on bullies, if I can't beat you, I will bite you anywhere, the aim is that you should go with mark. Liverpool talks a lot forgetting to know they themselves were thrashed 7 by Aston Villa. Their wide mouth will make me a Man Utd supporter for the game. Those floppapool should know they have Arsenal next.......be warned.
beat Brighton first lol 😅
Nazirol-64
2
Good news for Man Utd that Bruno is out, he's a serious problem to the team. Man Utd don't need to go to Liverpool and join those egoist in flow show of supremacy. All Man Utd needs to do is frustrate them. Don't let them beat you, if even they try to beat you, injure them, make them to play nothing after playing you. This used to be my tactics on bullies, if I can't beat you, I will bite you anywhere, the aim is that you should go with mark. Liverpool talks a lot forgetting to know they themselves were thrashed 7 by Aston Villa. Their wide mouth will make me a Man Utd supporter for the game. Those floppapool should know they have Arsenal next.......be warned.
Hah.. i'll get back to you once i know the results.
Sudmnouz
1
Man Utd will be better without Bronu.
malablata
2
Good news for Man Utd that Bruno is out, he's a serious problem to the team. Man Utd don't need to go to Liverpool and join those egoist in flow show of supremacy. All Man Utd needs to do is frustrate them. Don't let them beat you, if even they try to beat you, injure them, make them to play nothing after playing you. This used to be my tactics on bullies, if I can't beat you, I will bite you anywhere, the aim is that you should go with mark. Liverpool talks a lot forgetting to know they themselves were thrashed 7 by Aston Villa. Their wide mouth will make me a Man Utd supporter for the game. Those floppapool should know they have Arsenal next.......be warned.
Kebadeirs
1
Bruno is a "useless" player. He can not be compared to other players in other teams. He can only play at overrated team like man u. Liverpool must rip apart man u today and teach them how to play football
malablata
1
Danny Murphy, of all your analysis, saying Hojlund has to go out there to prove he's a better striker than Darwin Nunez got me laughing. They are at the same level Danny, both are friends of opposition defenders and their biggest instinct is to miss goal......Please give another good example, Alpha and A that's the same thing.
Coaadikor
1
ANOTHER MAN.U DEFEAT NEXT TO COME IN THE HAND OF LIVERPOOL .BYE BYE 10 HAAG