History in the Making?

Suarez and Evra exchange words

As Man Utd and Liverpool face off once again for a place in the FA Cup 5th round, there is more at stake than usual. There has always been a fierce rivalry between the two giants of English football and this game should be no exception. Both teams would be going full guns regardless of any recent history. But that's where this one provides an extra edge. After the game between the two teams on October 15th 2011 there was a lot of bad blood between the two teams. Patrice Evra accused Luis Suarez of racist abuse which sparked off a huge debate among everyone involved in football. Were these accusations true, and if so what would be the repercussions of the decision? As we know Suarez was found guilty and was given an eight match ban, which means he will miss tomorrows game against Utd.

Liverpool players wearing t-shirts
supporting Luis Suarez

The story doesn't end there. Liverpool FC decided that they were going to stand by their man through it all. Very noble on the outset and a confidence booster for the player who had clearly made a big mistake. However, it was the way Liverpool FC went about supporting their player that caused much grievance among many people in football. Liverpool FC decided they would support Suarez by wearing t-shirts which had the player on the front and his name and number on the back. Many saw this as a PR stunt gone wrong and many condemned Liverpool FC for their behaviour towards this sensitive situation. In hindsight, Liverpool FC should not have so publicly supported their player when he knew he was in the wrong. Yes the ban handed down to him was harsh, but if the FA is serious about clamping out racism, then this is a good indicator of just how serious these incidents will be taken. Liverpool have consequently missed Suarez since he has been out. Their lack of finishing in the league has led to far too many draws at home. The lack of a clinical finisher in the Liverpool team may prove to be one of the decisive factors in the game tomorrow. Despite Suarez's ban however, Liverpool have made it through to the Carling Cup Final. The final will be Liverpool's first trip to the new Wembley and they will start as firm favourites against Championship side Cardiff City. That is all to come at the end of February, but back to the end of January. Tomorrow's game now has the added dimension of how the two teams will react to each other since this now famous incident that took place back in October.

Anfield, the home of Liverpool Football Club.

This game is now more than just an FA Cup tie, and with all eyes on Anfield, both teams behaviour and conduct will be heavily scrutinised. Patrice Evra is likely to play and the reception he receives will speak volumes of how far football has come in the last twenty years. Liverpool fans must be the example to the rest of the footballing community through their response to the two sets of players. Yes there is rivalry between the two teams, and yes things may get heated, but we never want a repeat of the scenes from last October. The result of course will be massive to both teams, and both teams will give their all, but at the end of the day the result will not be the important outcome. Football needs its respect regained. Sir Alex Ferguson and Kenny Dalglish have both called for calm and respect during the game, and hopefully their plea will be heard come Saturday lunchtime.

Welbeck scores a late winner at
Arsenal last weekend.

As for the game itself, well Liverpool come into the game on the back of their semi-final defeat of Man City and so will be high on confidence. Their league performances have been inconsistent at best this season, but Liverpool have shone in the cup competitions. Liverpool are also undefeated at home so far this season and so will put up a stern test for Sir Alex Ferguson's team. Utd on the other hand come into the game on the back of a great result at the Emirates last Sunday. Utd didn't play with the same style that saw them obliterate Arsenal at the start of the season, but Arsenal are not the same team as back then. In fact they have been one of the form teams in the league, and so to pick up three points away from home was a huge result for Utd. Of course Utd's main aim this season is to dismantle local neighbours Man City from the top of the league. But with no European distractions for the rest of this season, Utd will see the FA Cup as a prize worth pursuing. And with a game against their biggest rivals, this has the makings of a classic.

Dirk Kuyt scored at hat-trick in the
league game at Anfield last season.

It is just over a year since Utd defeated Liverpool in the FA Cup third round at Old Trafford. This was the first game under Kenny Dalglish's second stint as manager of Liverpool. The game was a tight affair and was settled by a Ryan Giggs second minute penalty. Liverpool played most of the game with ten men after Steven Gerrard had been sent off  in the first half, but Utd were too strong and ran out comfortable winners. Since then, Liverpool have beaten and drawn with Utd at Anfield, so tomorrows game should be a close one.

I think on such an occasion and with so much at stake, not just the result, the most likely outcome will be a draw. Both teams are capable of scoring so I think it will end 1-1. If Liverpool are to win then they will need to take their chances, otherwise it could be a one sided game. Saying that, it should be an entertaining affair and anything can happen in cup football.