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RIO SEEKS RIGHT INGREDIENTS FOR ANFIELD Rio Ferdinand believes the right blend of youth and experience is crucial as United head to Liverpool without several elder statesmen who were at the club last term. A number of thirtysomethings, fortysomething in Edwin van der Sar's case, have departed with an injection of young talent helping reinvigorate the champions at the start of the season. However, the trip to Anfield always demands wise heads to deal with the frenzied atmosphere. Ferdinand explained: "It is just another part of the youngsters' learning curve. It is great for these young guys to be able to go to Anfield with Manchester United, to feel the environment and atmosphere that is put in front of you. To become top players, you have to be able to adapt and apply yourself in different environments. This is a hostile place, but one there is no better place to win at as a United player. Our manager is the best in the business at mixing youth and experience. If he feels we need youth and experience mixed in, then great. Experience is valuable, so is youth. The mixture will be vital. "I would say it's the biggest game for the players. We have played a couple of the teams who are normally around us in the league at home, but this is away. Regardless of what part of the season it is, going to Anfield is always huge for us. It's a game we look forward to and one I'm sure the fans are really excited about." More: Vidic considered for Anfield | Podcast: Set for Liverpool |
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BOSS WANTS COOL HEADS Sir Alex is determined United will keep calm in the Anfield cauldron on Saturday and finish the game with 11 men on the pitch. Sendings off have seriously hindered the Reds' hopes in recent years and the manager has also acknowledged Liverpool's improvement under Kenny Dalglish. "In my time, we've had about nine players sent off in games there which is unusual for Manchester United," declared the boss. "That is down to the atmosphere which can be created there. It's something you have to deal with. "Last season, we were playing really well in the game and made two really bad errors to give the goals away. It was hard to overcome that. In the previous two seasons, we had players sent off. There are issues you have to deal with - your temperament and composure in these situations to make sure you handle these sorts of things." Dalglish will bid to outdo his old adversary with the two Scots on the touchline again this weekend. "He's what the fans wanted and I think there has been an improvement," added Sir Alex. "They've bought a lot of players. They've gone for it financially and the owners have supported Kenny very well. At the end of the day you would always expect Liverpool to be challenging at least for a Champions League place." More: Sir Alex's respect for Liverpool | Fortune's Mersey memories |
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COLE'S FIRES STILL BURN FOR LIVERPOOL GAMES Andrew Cole feels the white-hot atmosphere at Anfield on Saturday will make life difficult for United. The ex-Reds striker believes older heads like Ryan Giggs and Rio Ferdinand will need to pass their experience on to the younger lads in order to ensure the champions handle the occasion. After three consecutive defeats in front of The Kop, the pressure is on United to extend their unbeaten start to the campaign in the lunchtime fixture. "It's a great game," Cole enthused on MUTV's Live at the Red Cafe. "I think if you speak to the majority of the lads as well, this is the one game everyone looks forward to. Liverpool at Anfield is the kind of match you want to play in when you come to United." With the likes of Gary Neville, Edwin van der Sar and Paul Scholes all no longer available, it will be a younger United squad that travels to Merseyside this season. "I know we've surpassed them championship-wise, but you're talking about great history there," explained Cole. "When you've got experienced players like Giggsy and Rio, all those kind of boys will let the players know what it's like at Anfield and how passionate it is. It gets tougher and tougher every year you go there and I think form goes out of the window. In recent years, United have always been going there in decent form but Liverpool have somehow got the results. "It's feisty at times because the atmosphere is so hot. If there's any mistimed challenges, the Liverpool punters are straight on it. The manager sometimes says the referee has got to be strong and Andre Marriner will need to be on Saturday because the fans do get behind their team." More: Owen's art of finishing | Greenhoffs loved beating Liverpool |
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