2 hours to go before kickoff, and I’m itching for the game to get started.

As a fan you want your team to win every match, but there a few key battles every year that you always relish just a little bit more than the rest.

Manchester United vs Liverpool doesn’t have the same shine any more for the neutrals as Manchester United vs Arsenal or Manchester United vs Chelsea, but speaking strictly on the basis of pride, tradition and pre-season predictions, Liverpool are one side I’ve really wanted United to beat this time around.

And there’s every indication that we will do it, even with the very real possibility that Liverpool will be looking at the Arsenal game for inspiration and that they have enough talent in their side to disrupt United’s rhythm. Every single player in Manchester United’s starting eleven is in form, even Michael Carrick who has improved measurably since returning from the international break. On the contrary, Liverpool cannot make the same claims, nor can they point to their away record with any pride.

There are two clear differences between the Arsenal game and today’s game with Liverpool:

One, Ferguson and Manchester United will be better prepared and more determined to avoid an ‘upset’.

Two, Liverpool under Benitez are too cautious and not confident enough going forward.

Maybe Liverpool have the better central midfield pairing. But if I were to look at this list again I’d pick Vidic ahead of Carragher and even Scholes ahead of Alonso (in an arguably unbalanced central midfield).

Will have a match report up later tonight, and the goal videos as soon as I get them.

Random Stats

Liverpool have not scored a goal from open play in away games in the Premiership this season. The only goal they scored A Fowler penalty courtesy of a bad decision on a Gerrard dive.

Both sides have won 3 games each in their last 7 Premiership clashes at Old Trafford, but United have won 3 of the last 4.

Liverpool did beat Manchester United the last time these sides met, in the 5th round of the FA Cup last season.

Prediction

No prizes for guessing who I think will win here