Liverpool v Manchester United: Andy Carroll has perfect chance to make debut against weakened defence at Anfield
What a moment for Liverpool to unleash Andy Carroll.
Ready to talk on the pitch: Andy Carroll, who was injured when he joined Liverpool in January, could make his debut against Manchester United Photo: GETTY IMAGES
By Duncan White 10:26PM GMT 05 Mar 2011
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England’s most expensive player is expected to be in the 18-strong match-day squad at Anfield on Sunday afternoon against a Manchester United going into a Premier League game without Nemanja Vidic for the first time this season. How the Kop would love to watch him bully the United defence and damage their great rivals’ title challenge.
Carroll has been getting fit and finding his fighting weight after two months out with a thigh injury. Kenny Dalglish has included him for the first time in his squad and could partner the 22 year-old with Liverpool’s other January signing, Luiz Suarez, up front, hoping to take advantage of United’s disruptions in defence.
With Vidic suspended after being sent off against Chelsea and Rio Ferdinand injured, Sir Alex Ferguson has to decide who will play alongside Chris Smalling at centre-back. Jonny Evans is close to fitness after an ankle injury but Wes Brown is the favourite.
Brown has only started two league games this season. He scored against Crawley in the FA Cup but his last league start was in the 2-2 draw with Aston Villa in November, a game in which Villa repeatedly cut United apart.
Dalglish will want to get Carroll taking on that defensive pairing, even if it is sending him on from the bench. Brown is not particularly strong in the air while Smalling lacks experience.
That defensive line could look even more inexperienced if Patrice Evra is not fit after hurting his left knee against Chelsea. He said in the aftermath of the defeat he was optimistic of making Sunday’s match but with the FA Cup quarter-final against Arsenal on Saturday and the Champions League second leg against Marseille the following Tuesday, Ferguson will not want to take unnecessary risks with such an influential player.
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