It’s Northwest England Derby Sunday as hated rivals Manchester United and Liverpool will clash at Anfield. This could be the swan song for Louis van Gaal, supposedly. Then again we’ve heard that song before.
Still, imagine the narrative if it’s Liverpool, of all the games, which finally cook’s LVG’s goose.
Here are four things to watch.
Man United injury report
Odds and Percentages
ESPN FC Soccer Power Index Bet365
Liverpool win 39% 23-20
Draw 30% 11-5
Man United win 31% 13-5
Here’s the link to video of today’s Louis van Gaal prematch press conference.
Last Straw for Van Gaal?
The backpages are running with a story this week that Van Gaal could be sacked if he loses this one. According to the Times, “Louis van Gaal is facing the biggest game of his Manchester United tenure away to Liverpool on Sunday with the club’s hierarchy increasingly concerned about the prospect of being cut adrift in the race for Champions League qualification.”
Louis Van Gaal could be sacked as early as Monday if this happens! BIG for United fans! https://t.co/6nfbFnLR4l pic.twitter.com/p8VdXFYkTc
— FootballFunnys (@FootballFunnnys) January 14, 2016
Of course, we’ve heard the LVG ultimatum story line before. And every time we hear it, he survives.
Jurgen Klopp Mania
Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger told Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp to chillax a bit and take it down a notch yesterday. He did so in a very friendly way though. (Here’s more on that). As Liverpool drew level with Arsenal in injury time, Klopp had a goal-scoring celebration yesterday that was epic.
So is the turning point for Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp coming now? Thus far under The Normal One LFC haven’t gotten much better than what they were under Brendan Rodgers.
Is this the point where that changes, and Klopp’s charismatic leadership inspires better results from his players?
Obtaining a point against table toppers Arsenal with that 3-3 draw was huge.
Klopp had a fantastic soundbite today at his own preview press conference. He called Sir Alex Ferguson the John Lennon of football.
More conflict between Van Gaal and the Manchester United media?
Van Gaal did here because he didn’t care for this specific writer being so harsh on Wayne Rooney in the past. Watch the video here as LVG exits stage left, but then stops, pauses, turns around and goes out of his way to tell Neil Custis of The Sun, “you, fat man.” Custis has already made his response in public.
Here’s the link to video of the Louis van Gaal press conference today.
The topic of David de Gea’s future, in the wake of the Real Madrid transfer ban news, came up at the presser today, and this is what Van Gaal had to say.
Prediction: 2-2 Draw
Just seems so fitting, given the way this season has gone.
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and sometimes writes The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. The website is also featured on News Now.
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