RED on RED
Eclipsed by United on domestic front, Liverpool are desperate to keep European bragging rights
MANCHESTER UNITED can boast many advantages over Liverpool in the tale of the tape between England’s greatest clubs. More league titles, more expensive players, a bigger stadium.
Yet, there is one key area where the bragging rights are still held at Anfield — Europe. Liverpool have won the European Cup and Champions League five times to United’s three. They have also won the Europa League in its various guises — the competition in which they meet their rivals on Thursday night — three times while United’s have yet to win it.
Rest assured that rich history will be celebrated by the Kop when Louis van Gaal and his players arrive this week.
The carrot of a Champions League place for the Europa League winners makes this last-16 tie important enough. But the psychological aspect, Liverpool’s desire that they are still a match for their rivals up the East Lancs road, cannot be underestimated.
Liverpool have been beaten by United four times in a row and £20 million defender Dejan Lovren was involved in two of those defeats.
‘It’s not a good record. We need to change some things and to pay back. Payback time. We can beat them. Of course,’ says the Croatian international, who returned from a hamstring injury for the 3-0 victory against Manchester City on Wednesday night.
‘We are feeling good after the City match. It was difficult for us, particularly for our mentality, because we’d lost the Capital One Cup final to City on penalties a few days before. It wasn’t easy but we showed great character, great skills. We replied in the best way.
‘We were so aggressive with the ball and without the ball. It showed we can play against anyone, definitely. We respect everyone but we can beat everyone also, including United.
‘It is not a coincidence we have beaten City twice in the league, scoring seven goals. We need to keep the attitude we showed against them. We need the consistency to be like that every time.’
Although Liverpool meet Crystal Palace in the Premier League today, the city has been buzzing about facing United for the first time in Europe since the draw was made.
Some of Anfield’s greatest nights have been on the European stage. David Fairclough against St Etienne in 1977, Steven Gerrard’s wonder strike to get past Olympiakos and Luis Garcia’s ‘ghost goal’ against Chelsea in 2005 all spring to mind.
The club’s record appearance holder Ian Callaghan, who played 857 times between 1960 and 1978 and won five European trophies under Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley, believes playing on the continent helped create the famous Liverpool FC of today.
‘We learned a lot from actually playing in Europe, it’s why we became the most successful club in the country,’ he said.
‘The old First Division was all about hustle and bustle, getting the ball up the field and as many crosses in as you could. Then, we’d go out and play continental teams who pushed the ball around and kept possession.
‘We enjoyed the challenge because it was so different and over the years, we adapted it to our own game. Liverpool became the best passing team in England, probably the most patient.
‘We enjoyed the experiences of travelling to Turkey, Poland, lots and lots of places. For a boy from Toxteth it was very interesting to see these different places and how they played the game.’
Exactly 40 years ago, Callaghan was part of the Liverpool team that beat Bruges to win the 1976 UEFA Cup, as the Europa League was known then. In the semi-final they knocked out Barce- lona, John Toshack scoring the only goal in the Nou Camp against a team that included Dutch legends Johan Cruyff and Johan Neeskens.
‘That was a fantastic memory,’ said Callaghan. ‘I’d been to Lloret de Mar on holiday as a 16-year-old kid and did a tour of the Nou Camp and a bullfight afterwards. To go back there some years later to play was unbelievable.’
United will not have a Cruyff in their ranks, but they do boast £36 million Anthony Martial, an outstanding talent who has surpassed Lovren’s expectations and played with the Frenchman at the start of his career with Lyon.
Lovren was sent off in the game when Martial made his league debut at 17, a 3-1 defeat at Ajaccio. He will not need reminding that Martial scored against Liverpool in sensational style on his Premier League debut in United’s 3-1 win in September, and at 20, is United’s go-to man on the big occasion.
‘I played with him for a year in France. He had quality but he wasn’t like he is today,’ said the centre-half. ‘Back then, I couldn’t have honestly expected either of us to play in a big Liverpool-United game.
‘His career really progressed at Monaco after he left Lyon and definitely now, he has every quality to play in the best league in the world.’
Like Martial, Liverpool have their own 20-year-old flyer, Divock Origi, who is threatening to burst into life after a difficult first few months.
Origi could have joined United at 15 but chose to stay with Lille. ‘It was just a decision of the heart,’ said the Belgian international.
‘I didn’t have anything against United but Lille had a good academy. Eden Hazard had come through so I thought I’d have a chance to go through there, even though my dream was to play in the Premier League one day.’
England manager Roy Hodgson will be interested to see if United veteran Michael Carrick can get the better of Jordan Henderson and Adam Lallana in midfield this week, and if dangerman Daniel Sturridge will have any joy against competent Chris Smalling.
Certainly, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has brought energy and belief back to Anfield, so it seems United will have more than just history to contend with on Thursday.