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Manchester United host Liverpool at Old Trafford this Saturday with the atmosphere sure to be even hotter than usual as the home fans vent their anger at Luis Suárez, and most likely Kenny Dalglish, for their part in the Patrice Evra racism case. But despite the hostility directed at the visitors, the Life’s A Pitch team believes Man Utd are vulnerable to defeat if Liverpool set about the hosts and use the improving Andy Carroll to unsettle the “rocky” United defence.

“He’s running with a purpose, he’s closing people down,” explains former footballer and journalist Adrian Clarke. “He looks fitter, and like a player that is returning to form. I expect him to play because he’s the type of player that Man Utd won’t want to play against. I think he’ll be a good pivot for Liverpool [at Old Trafford]. He [Kenny Dalglish] has been tactically brilliant in recent weeks at stopping the opposition playing, but if he takes that attitude to Old Trafford they might have a problem. I think Liverpool’s best chance of success is to get at Manchester United this weekend.”

The Sunday Mirror’s David Walker agrees, but he doubts Liverpool will go on the attack. ”I agree with Adrian that if Dalglish has a go, the Man Utd defence looks rocky and the goalkeeper [David De Gea] looks rocky too. Knowing the way Kenny approaches it, I’ll be astonished if he tears up the cautious blueprint and goes gung-ho. That’s not his style.”

One player in the Man Utd defence sure to be under the spotlight is Evra, not only to see how he deals with playing against Suárez but also, as his recent performances suggest, to see if he is still affected by the controversy. ”I thought his performance at Stamford Bridge on Sunday was indicative of that,” explains the Daily Mirror’s Martin Lipton. ”He lacks the conviction he’s had in the past. He making more mistakes.”

Watch the full video discussion by clicking on the image play button above

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Watch Man Utd and Liverpool live on BT Vision:
Man Utd v Liverpool, live midday, 11 February, Sky Sports 2
Liverpool v Arsenal, live midday, 3 March, Sky Sports 2
Tottenham v Man Utd, live 4pm, 4 March, Sky Sports 1

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