By Ross Mackiewicz.
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is under no illusion that bitter adversaries Liverpool are going to go all out to destroy their title hopes by rolling over against title rivals Chelsea this Sunday. Liverpool take on The Blues hours before Sunderland entertain Manchester United at The Stadium of Light on what could prove to be the pivotal weekend in this fascinating climax to the title race. Manchester United trail Chelsea by just a point with two games to go with the Chelsea/Liverpool tie regarded as the penultimate fixture in the race.
The Red Devils are striving to retain their Premier League crown for a fourth successive year which would also see them over take Liverpool’s record of 18 League Championships to 19. The bad blood between United and Liverpool is as strong as it’s ever been but Sir Alex believes that despite the tension between the North West rivals, it will not interfere with Liverpool’s effort to give their maximum this Sunday against Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
“I am confident they will do their maximum. Great clubs don’t throw their history and traditions away for one game. They have been in 11 European finals. They have won 18 titles. That is a fantastic history. You don’t throw that away. The fans know that too.
“Do you think the fans want to go home saying their players capitulated and they didn’t try and thinking it wouldn’t happen again?”
It’s a case of déjà vu for Liverpool who are no strangers to this position. On the final day of the 1994/1995 season a Liverpool victory over United’s title rivals at the time Blackburn Rovers would have seen Ferguson’s men crowned champions if they managed to beat West Ham at Upton Park. Ironically Liverpool beat Rovers that day but United could only salvage a 1-1 draw in East London which saw the Premier League crown make its way to Lancashire. Sir Alex doesn’t question Liverpool’s integrity now compared to the end of season drama 15 years ago.
“In 1995, it was exactly the same, the similarities were there. We depended and hoped on Liverpool producing and we got that. Roy Evans, the Liverpool manager, talked to me and said, ‘You have to earn the right to win the title’ and that stands today.”
“OK, there were a lot of English players in that Liverpool team at the time and they understood the traditions of the club, but I don’t think there has been such a swing that the players don’t understand the history of Liverpool.”
Manchester United have to do their part too of course and defeat a Sunderland side that’s managed by United hero Steve Bruce, who won multiple honours during his time with The Reds. If Chelsea are able to win on Merseyside and United lose, the West London outfit will capture their third Premier League Championship.
Will Liverpool do United a favour and beat Chelsea? Please leave your comments below….
