Chronicle EditorLONDON. — One of the biggest rivalries in British sport resumes tomorrow when Liverpool face Manchester United at Anfield.
Although the hosts may be pulling away in terms of trophies won, their encounters are usually feisty and sparks often fly.So, from Jonjo Shelvey losing his rag last season to the Suarez-Evra controversy, dust-ups between Neville and Carragher and beyond, here’s what happens when the red mist descends in the North West.
Liverpool have issued an apology after the club’s official Twitter account appeared to endorse a ‘joke’ about the Munich air disaster.
Yesterday, the club’s social media team invited supporters to recommend a song that should be played as the Liverpool players walk out on to the Anfield turf to face Manchester United tomorrow.
One supporter suggested Frank Sinatra’s Come Fly With Me and Eric Idle’s Always Look on the Bright Side of Life, in reference to the tragic plane crash that claimed the lives of 23 people — including eight Manchester United players — in Munich in 1958
The official club account replied to the user, saying: ‘Have you been sneaking a look at the dressing room iPod?’ The tweet has since been deleted but has provoked outrage among football fans on the social networking site.
Liverpool have since apologised, saying: ‘Liverpool Football Club responded quickly to correct the error of judgement that was made last night on its official Twitter account in responding to a distasteful and inappropriate tweet.
‘The club took decisive action and the comment was deleted swiftly. We apologise, unreservedly, for any offence that was caused by this mistake.’
United fans have made references to the Hillsborough disaster, where 96 Liverpool fans died in tragic circumstances and in 2011, Sir Alex Ferguson called for an end to the vile chants, saying: ‘Both clubs need each other and the history should be appreciated by both sets of fans.
David Moyes is braced for a hot reception at Anfield as the former Everton manager makes his return to Liverpool as manager of Manchester United.
‘Everybody tells me about the big rivalry between Liverpool and United and it was certainly there when I was at Everton as well,’ said Moyes who never won at Anfield during his 11-year tenure as Everton manager.
‘I would think I’ll get as good a reception as I did with Everton. It has always been a difficult place to go, but I am looking forward to going back there.’
Brendan Rodgers has challenged Liverpool to throw down an early pointer to their top-four credentials by delivering a performance against Manchester United that illustrates their improvement.
Rodgers, who revealed Aly Cissokho will be sidelined for up to six weeks, said: ‘It’s not going to determine where we end up. We didn’t get enough wins against teams above us last season. It was small percentages, small margins that we can improve. It’s going to be a tough game but I believe we are ready for it. It’s a challenge we relish.
‘There is intense rivalry. There is something that wee bit more intense. It’s not just the football clubs, it’s the cities.
‘We lost last year but we are very confident this time. If you look at our numbers since we played United in January, we have really kicked on.
‘We know it is a difficult challenge but we are looking to sustain it.’
‘I don’t believe they are vulnerable. David did a terrific job at Everton and earned the right to go there (to United).
‘You understand what you are representing. This is a game that is one of the biggest in the world. There is a different feel to this match. There is respect between the clubs.’
There was better news about Kolo Toure and the groin injury he sustained in the same match.
‘Toure has made an excellent recovery. If he is not ready, he will be fine for after the international break,’ said Rodgers. ‘Cissokho could be four to six weeks and is on crutches.’
Moyes has revealed Wayne Rooney is ‘mentally in good shape’ ahead of tomorrow’s trip.
And now he is preparing for one of United’s biggest games of the season. ‘Wayne Rooney has been a great player for many years for Manchester United,’ said Moyes.
‘I felt he played very well the other night and he’s looking in good condition and is mentally in good shape too.’
Moyes declined to enter into further discussion on Rooney, preferring instead to underline the stance United have taken throughout the summer.
‘We told you and everybody else from day one so I don’t think there’s anything else to add today,’ he said. Moyes was no more forthcoming on United’s pursuit of new players.
The club have had another bid rejected by Everton for Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines this week. When asked about Baines and Fellaini, two men he knows so well from their time together at Everton, Moyes’ response was: ‘I wouldn’t tell you.’
Liverpool are planning to mark what would have been Bill Shankly’s 100th birthday, with Moyes now following a long list of great Scottish managers.
‘Bill Shankly comes into the category of greats like Jock Stein, Matt Busby and Sir Alex (Ferguson).
“He’s in that group from the point of view that he’s one of the greatest managers and rightly should be respected.’
With maximum points from their opening two games, Liverpool currently have a slender advantage over their long-standing rivals.
And Moyes knows himself how much progress the Anfield outfit are making under Brendan Rodgers.
‘I think Brendan is building his team and changing things around to the way he wants it to be,’ said Moyes. ‘Liverpool have always been a great football club challenging for trophies.
‘This is no different to any other game in that you can only get three points for a win but it’d be a big win if we can get it because Liverpool are one of the strong teams this season.’
English Premiership Fixtures
Today (All matches at 4pm unless stated)
Man City v Hull (13.45pm)
West Ham v Stoke
Norwich v Southampton
Cardiff v Everton
Newcastle v Fulham
Crystal Palace v Sunderland (18.30pm)
Tomorrow
West Brom v Swansea (2.30pm)
Liverpool v Man Utd (2.30pm)
Arsenal v Tottenham (5pm) — Mailonline.
Online Reporter