This weekend sees the 60th birthday of Kenny Dalglish and the visit of
Manchester United to Anfield.
It could end up being more significant to the reds of
Merseyside than their dominant masters down the East Lancs
road.
Rather than being the icing on the cake for United as they march
towards their nineteenth title, trumping Liverpool’s record tally
in the process, it could be the day that Liverpool launch a
brighter future.
With Sir Alex Ferguson’s comment
about Knocking Liverpool off their perch no doubt still fresh in
Kenny’s mind this is a real chance for Liverpool to make a
statement of intent. A chance for them to announce that under new
owners, with a new manager and a fresh crop of
players, they are ready to compete again.
The two Glaswegians rivalry goes back a lot further than their
managerial spats during Kenny’s time at Blackburn – where he
famously commented during a Ferguson TV interview
that the reporter would “get more sense out of his baby than
him [Ferguson]“ - and his two Liverpool spells.
As an 18 year old at Celtic Jock Stein played Kenny at
centre half against Sir Alex in an Old Firm reserve team clash. The
fact both managers claim it was a game they won says all you need
to know about their rivalry and will to win.
Though history will always play a big part in this clash, for
Liverpool it now has to be about the future. They now
have nothing left to play for this season so Kenny has
the perfect opportunity to go for a win with no
added pressure.
This fixture under Rafael Benitez’s reign always had more
relevance. Liverpool were usually in need of points to cement
Champions League qualification and the naturally cagey Benitez
would always play cautiously.
On Sunday Kenny needs to be bold and make a statement of intent
about where he wants to take the club.
A convincing victory will not only restore Merseyside pride
after two defeats to United already this season but lay the
foundation for a resurgent Liverpool to mount a more credible
challenge for the Premiership next season.
With Rio Ferdinand injured, Nemanja vidic suspended
and rumours that Andy carroll could be about to make his
debut, liverpool look capable of taking advantage of the defensive
frailties United have previously shown without their two key
defenders. If Kenny chooses to attack united by getting
Meriles and Gerrard forward early to support either Carroll
or Suarez or even both it could be the perfect way to expose
the lack of United’s strength in depth.
Back to back Premier League defeats for United will be
unthinkable for Ferguson at this stage of the season and they will
not want to be going to The Emirates in May followed by Chelsea at
home without some points in hand. A defeat for United could see the
pack suddenly back with them and that 19th title that looked a
formality just a month ago suddenly in the balance.
Despite the fact that Kenny has rejected all talk in press
conferences about this being a chance to put a dent in United’s
attempt to win their 19th title, in private no doubt he would be
feeling the same way as Ferguson was all those years ago. There is
undoubtedly nothing he would prefer than to knock those f*****s off
their perch and a win this weekend would give further proof to the
Kop faithful that he has moved from being the King to the
Messiah.
There could be no better way for Kenny to celebrate his birthday
than to put one over on his old rival, announce the rebirth of
Liverpool and blow this seasons title race wide open,
while Sir Alex Ferguson will be
thinking about delivering the final blow to Liverpool’s perch.
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