Sky Sports expert Paul Merson looks ahead to this weekend's live offerings.....
Merse on Liverpool v Man Utd
Merse on Stoke v Everton
Liverpool v Man Utd
I have the same argument with Phil Thompson every week.
Keane: pressure is on
He boasts that Liverpool only lost four games last season and can win the league if they turn their draws into wins. But I feel they go out and play for draws and are too concerned with avoiding defeat. It's percentage football and we saw it last time out against Aston Villa; you could tell that game was going to be 0-0 after five minutes.
The injuries to Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard could be massive because along with Jamie Carragher they are Liverpool. If the two of them aren't playing then I can't see Liverpool winning because they won't have enough going forward to beat Manchester United.
Derby tried to play football last year and they didn't get any prizes for getting spanked every week.
Paul Merson
Quotes of the week
Liverpool v Man Utd
12noon, Sat, Sky Sports 1 & HD1
Stoke City v Everton
1pm, Sun, Sky Sports 1 & HD1
There's a lot of pressure on Robbie Keane and he needs that first goal. Apart from Inter Milan where he hardly played, he's not played for a big, big team before. Wolves, Coventry and Tottenham don't have the same pressures as the teams in the big four where you're expected to win every week. I think he's a great signing but he needs a goal sooner rather than later because if it gets up to eight or nine games then people will start asking questions.
At the moment it's the same old, same old from Liverpool. They've got some unbelievable players and they're a different class defensively but if they want to win the title they need to go out and try to win football matches.
Debut for Dimi?
I'd be surprised if Dimitar Berbatov starts on Saturday because it's not the sort of game to make a debut in. I can see Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez starting with Berbatov perhaps coming off the bench. They need him in the long run and I'm sure he'll make a difference. With so many top-class players around he can't help but do well at Man United.
I thought United were absolutely outstanding against Portsmouth. They were playing a top-six team on a Monday night after Liverpool and Chelsea had already won, the pressure was on and it ended up being as comfortable as anything. I felt that was a game they had to win with trips to Anfield and Stamford Bridge coming up next and they dealt with the pressure brilliantly.
MERSON'S MAGIC MAN
Jamie Carragher - Liverpool are going to be under pressure and he leads by example. He'll be so important if they are to get a result. You know he'll be immense when he puts that Liverpool shirt on.
PAUL'S PREDICTION
Away win - I'm going to go for 1-0 to Man United because I just can't see Liverpool scoring a goal. I would go for 0-0, but it's not very often that you see United go through 90 minutes without making enough chances to score. They've got the players to nick a 1-0.
Stoke v Everton
I tipped Stoke to go down at the start of the season and I haven't seen enough from them yet to make me change their mind.
I also said their most important player would be Rory Delap with his long throws and that's how they scored the winning goal against Villa. To be fair, they played well in that game and if they keep doing that they'll cause problems at home, there's no question about that.
It's not fair to have a go at Stoke for playing direct football. They've got to play to their strengths, but at the same time they do have bit of class in the team. Ricardo Fuller's goal against Villa is as good as anything you'll see this season and Liam Lawrence has got a bit about him. They like to get the ball forward and they know they can't go to places like Arsenal and play open football because they'll end up on the end of a cricket score. Stoke aren't here to entertain people, they're here to stay in the Premier League. Derby tried to play football last year and they didn't get any prizes for getting spanked every week. This isn't a beauty contest.
It's a good time to play Everton after they were slaughtered at home by Portsmouth. At the same time, Everton will see this as a good game for them - as long as they can match up to Stoke. I think if you can match Stoke physically then you've got an unbelievable chance. If you don't, then you're in trouble.
Toffees stuck
Everton were fifth last season, but the teams around them have moved on and have spent money. I know they made a few signings at the end of the window, but it feels like Everton have stood still. I still can't believe nobody has bought them out because it's a great club with a great support and an unbelievable manager. Goodison Park is one of the top three grounds I played at in my career along with Anfield and Highbury. It's not like they're a million miles behind the top teams.
It's a big game for them on Sunday because if they lose to Stoke they could be looking at a mediocre season. I don't know much about their new signing Marouane Fellaini, but it will be 'welcome to the Premier League' for him at the Britannia Stadium. Maybe they've paid too much for him, but they needed to bring people in, especially after their results at the start of the season.
MERSON'S MAGIC MAN
Ricardo Fuller - He is a talent and if you get him on his day then he's frightening. The goal he scored against Villa made Martin Laursen look silly - and he's a very good defender indeed.
PAUL'S PREDICTION
Draw - With Yakubu and Fuller causing problems at either end, I just think there will be goals. Stoke will get the ball in the box, but sometimes they will leave themselves open and they'll let in plenty as well. Villa never really got going at the Britannia and still scored two past them. I think we could get an entertaining 2-2 draw.
Comments (12)
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Rory Hall (Liverpool fan) says...
Reading the article and the following comments back I have to come on and just point out how WRONG everyone was - including Merson, of course. Without our "two best players" we still had "enough going forward" to really put the pressure on United and grind out a deserved victory. No longer can United fans claim "Benitez has NEVER beaten Man U in the league" - because he has. And without our two best players. Bet that's a hard one to swallow for th United faithful. let's hope Villareal can turn them over now!
Posted 15:18 16th September 2008
Gary Gray (Everton fan) says...
Everton haven't been able to field a full strength team in any of their matches this season. No Cahil or Pienaar, no replacement for Carsley. With Fellaini making his debut and hopefully Castillo being fit I can really see us doing some damage to Stoke tomorrow. COYB.
Posted 11:27 13th September 2008
Ray Mcganity (Everton fan) says...
My predictions are Liverpool 0 Man U 2, United to strong for Liverpool and will prove to those fans who keep saying Liverpool will win the league that they won't end off. Stoke 0 Everton 2 Stoke played well against Villa but it was there First home game of the season and was always going to play at there be best, If we played the side that got beat by Pompey then i would have said a Stoke win but we will not have to CB's playing in Midfield this week and with our new signings we will be to strong.
Posted 11:26 13th September 2008
Andrew Lofts (Manchester United fan) says...
Every year do we hear the same stuff from the Liverpool fans. "We're gonna win it this year" "We'll beat United" etc etc. Benitez has NEVER beaten Man U in the league, and Liverpool havent even managed to score one single goal against us in the 8 games since Benitez has been in charge, the only goal being an own goal by john o'shea. Without Gerrard and Torres, Liverpool are nothing, they play against the big teams for a draw and hope other results go their way the rest of the season. United to win 2-0 at Anfield.
Posted 10:12 13th September 2008
Dennis Tui (Manchester United fan) says...
I am tired of Liverpool saying they will win any team they play. Liverpool is a great team in the past,and i do not think they will ever be stronger in the future. Every manager in Liverpool will promise the fans they will win the League title and when it comes to the last day they will blame their lost on injuries and blah blah blah. They're number one when it comes to talking and it turns out they just hope luck while be on their side all the time so they can score some lucky goals. Its been like 8-10 games they had against Man Utd and they keep saying we will win it this time. And when they lost the game they will say they're not playing at their best. Grow up ,Liverpool!!!start to face the fact that Liverpool hoping to be champion is just merely a dream that will never come true. I pity all the liverpool fans going around saying all the good things about their team and at the end of the day they end up covering their face because their Liverpool lost or draw the game..Please dont expect too much from Liverpool as u will only end up disappointed.
Posted 03:15 13th September 2008
Pete Kelly (Everton fan) says...
Everton's defence hasn't been as solid as last year but that will change. Davey Moyes has added quality in the squad with Castillo, Saha and Fellaini and with our injured players returning soon, Sunday is the perfect springboard to launch our season and a comfidence boost for the UEFA against Leige on thurs. It will be a tough game against a determined Stoke side who have shown plenty of comittment and passion, especially at home. A hard fought 2-1 with the Yak netting the winner.
Posted 21:57 12th September 2008
Chris Woodward (Everton fan) says...
Bless you Mark, bit of early season optimism from the Stoke lad! I think you forget what Everton have achieved in recent seasons. Everton have a bit too much class for you boys although if you are very lucky you may take a point. The only reason we have had a poor start is due to injuries and having to play youngsters so don't get too carried away yet as we will come good. Everton to win 3-1!
Posted 17:59 12th September 2008
Neil Ibinson (Stoke City fan) says...
i don't think we will be out classed at all. i think Everton need to worry about our size and power especially when it comes to set pieces and throw in's. its not easy coming to the 'brit' and leaving with a win, we have a very intimidating crowd which gets the boyys going!
Posted 16:40 12th September 2008
John Mcfadden (Liverpool fan) says...
Torres / Gerrard now declared fit I see 2-1 win for liverpool whlist 1-0 win for Stoke !!
Posted 16:20 12th September 2008
Mark Rutter (Stoke City fan) says...
I really beleive that we will can take all 3 points from this game. Yes we both have won 1 and lost 2 however Everton have been well beaten in both of their defeats while we were unlucky against Middlesborough and have beaten 1 of last seasons top 6 with sparks, at time, of brilliance. We are conceding to much at the back but with the new siginings that will defo strengthen our defence. Potters to win 2-1.
Posted 16:18 12th September 2008
Barry Swanson (Sunderland fan) says...
Im not at all surprised Torres and Gerrard are now fit. I knew they would be all along and with Gerrard ruling himself out in midweek it gives the team a boost before the match and they will need it. Utd are a better team and they WILL finish above Liverpool this season but I think Liverpool will win tomorrow as it is about time for them. 2-1 Berbatov to score on his sub appearance but Gerrard to score winner.
Posted 15:56 12th September 2008
Billy Miller (Everton fan) says...
dont know about adraw paul but a think everton will have bit to much class for stoke a think fellaini will be a good buy for us wants he settles in to the pace of premiership
Posted 14:40 12th September 2008
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