A week after a drab Premier League encounter, Manchester United and Liverpool face each other again, but this time in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Last week’s match at Anfield ended 0-0 and put many fans to sleep.
It is another early morning kickoff (Monday, 1am) but you can bet both sets of fans will be geared up for the match.
Having said that, since there are no replays for this season’s competition, the do-or-die encounter might be another cagey affair.
This is not the only all-Premier League fourth-round tie as Southampton vs Arsenal (tomorrow, 8.15pm), Fulham vs Burnley (Sunday, 10.30pm) and Everton vs Sheffield United (Monday, 4am) will also do battle.
Can Jurgen Klopp’s men get one over Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Old Trafford? Or will the Norwegian get the better of the German for the first time?
Fans have their say below but before that, here are some statistics:
- United has won the FA Cup 12 times with the last in 2016.
- That was Louis van Gaal’s only trophy as United boss and it meant the Red Devils were the most successful team in the competition.
- Arsenal has since overtaken that with its 14th triumphs, the last coming in August 2020.
- Liverpool’s final FA Cup title was in 2006.
- Back then, they defeated United 1-0 in the fifth round en route to winning the Cup for the seventh time.
- Ashley Cole has won the Cup a record seven times – Arsenal (2002, 2003 and 2005) and Chelsea (2007, 2009, 2010 and 2012).
Fan talk
Ivan Zuzartee
Manchester should have won the match last week. It was unfortunate Bruno (Fernandes) and (Marcus) Rashford were off form. Allison was the busier goalkeeper with two good saves while (David) de Gea only had one notable save despite Liverpool’s possession. I don’t know what Klopp was grumbling about. He must have been watching the Disney channel.
Prediction: Manchester United 2 Liverpool 1
Joachim Martin
After a drab league game, the stakes will be higher as it’s a knockout, winner-takes-all game. I’m expecting a more exciting match with Hendo (Jordan Henderson) moving into midfield – if he recoveries from injury – after playing as a centreback in last week’s league encounter.
Prediction: Manchester United 1 Liverpool 3
Lillian Ong
Ole needs to leave his super-sub mentality behind and start replacing non-performing players earlier rather than in the final minutes. Whatever the score, I hope the fans accept the result with grace. The fans have always been preaching “form is temporary, class is permanent” in reference to their respective teams. Well, show that you are a classy fan. Banter all you want, but stop blaming the referee, and please stop the team name-calling. Wishful thinking?
Prediction: One-goal victory, but for whom?
Azman Abdul Manap
What more can we expect other than another low scoring game? It’s a tough ask for Klopp to generate a new formula to battle all these ‘bus-parking’ tactics. TAA (Trent Alexander-Arnold) along with the front three (Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino) need to wave the magic wand. To be honest, I really don’t mind if we fail to progress … as long as United don’t win. I guess we have to win then.
Prediction: Dull draw with Liverpool to win on penalties.
Faizal Salim
I hope Ole will apply pressure early on to avoid another 0-0 result. It is an important competition and it would be great to deny our great rival from progressing in the competition.
Prediction: Manchester United 2 Liverpool 0
Darren Wong
I’m not really optimistic about the match as Liverpool’s away form has been dire. I have a feeling it will end all-square with Liverpool winning on penalties. Liverpool’s league form has been poor but the best place for the Reds to bounce back is definitely at Old Trafford!
Prediction: Manchester United 1 Liverpool 1 (Liverpool to win on penalties)
Kishen Alex Raj
It’s a shame the two teams have to meet so early. With Liverpool being the better side for the past few years, and United coming back on form now, I hope this will be a better fixture than the league one. I also need the Liverpool fans to read up on why a penalty is given before talking nonsense about it.
Prediction: Manchester United 2 Liverpool 0
Norsuziyannie Mat Noor
It will be a tight match which can go either way. Being a diehard Liverpool supporter, I believe my team will prevail – narrowly. I just hope VAR (video referee assistant) will not spoil the action.
Prediction: Manchester United 1 Liverpool 2
FA Cup fixtures (Malaysian time)
SATURDAY
Chorley vs Wolves (3.45am)
Southampton vs Arsenal (8.15pm)
Brighton vs Blackpool (11pm)
Millwall vs Bristol City (11pm)
Barnsley vs Norwich (11pm)
Sheffield United vs Plymouth (11pm)
West Ham vs Doncaster (11pm)
Bournemouth vs Crawley (11pm)
Swansea vs Nottingham Forest (11pm)
SUNDAY
Cheltenham vs Manchester City (1.30am)
Chelsea vs Luton (8pm)
Fulham vs Burnley (10.30pm)
Brentford vs Leicester (10.30pm)
MONDAY
Manchester United vs Liverpool (1am)
Everton vs Sheffield United (4am)
TUESDAY
Wycombe vs Tottenham (3.45am)
