With Liverpool set to face Manchester United on Saturday, we talked to Sky Sports News presenter and United fan Hayley McQueen about her views on the upcoming North West derby.
Phil Jones was a big surprise as a United signing for me but I've been so impressed with him this season, Rio and Vidic are of course the/my preferred pairing at the back but it's exciting to see young talent like Smalling and Jones slot in to deputise so well and Jones is so versatile, I think we got a bargain there.
Da Gea has been hit & miss but has pulled off some world class saves already, it's just a case of time & confidence for this one. Ashley Young another master-stroke by Sir Alex as he looks like he's played for United for years. He's fit into the team straight away both on & off the pitch, I've met him a few times too & he seems like a really good guy.
Liverpool also invested heavily in their squad this summer, do you think the money was spent wisely?
Very wisely, Liverpool needed to spend. Whilst Carroll was signed for a hefty fee you have invested in the future as well as the now but I did think he'd have had a better start to the season but am sure will come good. For me I don't think Carroll is the type that would feel the pressure of living up to a hefty price tag, he has struggled to adapt to Liverpool’s passing game and is still learning. The goal in the Merseyside derby will give him a much needed boost.
I'm a big fan of Steward Downing too as a protege of my home town team Middlesbrough. He's capable of so much and is one of the most undervalued English footballers, at 27 he's in his prime, intelligent on the pitch, consistent with a perfectly educated left foot.
Very wisely, Liverpool needed to spend. Whilst Carroll was signed for a hefty fee you have invested in the future as well as the now but I did think he'd have had a better start to the season but am sure will come good. For me I don't think Carroll is the type that would feel the pressure of living up to a hefty price tag, he has struggled to adapt to Liverpool’s passing game and is still learning. The goal in the Merseyside derby will give him a much needed boost.
I'm a big fan of Steward Downing too as a protege of my home town team Middlesbrough. He's capable of so much and is one of the most undervalued English footballers, at 27 he's in his prime, intelligent on the pitch, consistent with a perfectly educated left foot.
Both United and Liverpool have invested in young British talent this summer, do you think it's a good move or is the premium price placed on home grown talent too high?
I think buying home grown is a great move and fans often feel more pride when the British players in their team are succeeding, it's keeping with tradition with Liverpool players constantly selected for International duty, particularly England and this will of course continue. There are now many greats at Liverpool already under the age of 25, it's like Liverpool have gone back to the tradition of being a team who now have a strong home grown core to their team.
I think buying home grown is a great move and fans often feel more pride when the British players in their team are succeeding, it's keeping with tradition with Liverpool players constantly selected for International duty, particularly England and this will of course continue. There are now many greats at Liverpool already under the age of 25, it's like Liverpool have gone back to the tradition of being a team who now have a strong home grown core to their team.
Just when you thought the future was all about foreign talent flocking to Britain you see Liverpool as a perfect example that this is not the case.
Let's not forget those that have come up through your academy, seeing youth come up through the system is hugely satisfying too and personally I'd like to see an age limitation on when you can bring a foreign youngsters to academies to give home grown lads more of a chance.
Let's not forget those that have come up through your academy, seeing youth come up through the system is hugely satisfying too and personally I'd like to see an age limitation on when you can bring a foreign youngsters to academies to give home grown lads more of a chance.
Both clubs have their local rivals, in Manchester City and Everton, but some fans would argue the 'North West derby' between Liverpool and United is more important than the local clashes, what's your thoughts?
I don't know about more important but for years I think Liverpool v United has been the fiercest of rivalries mainly due to Liverpool's success in Europe and the fact that in recent years United have caught up. There has been a bit of a shift as some would argue United v City is now the most important but you can't ever take away the rivalry between United and Liverpool, the atmosphere at Anfield when United come to play is second to none Its the first team I look for when the fixtures are announced.
Both Manchester clubs have made a brilliant start to the season, can you see it quickly becoming a two horse race between the two local rivals for the title?
I hope not but I think it may well be although admittedly at the start of the season I didn't have it as that, I did have Liverpool finishing in the top 4 thought and Arsenal nowhere to be seen and I don't think that'll change. What has happened at City is extremely exciting but I get a little sad that they may well prove (like Chelsea did) money can buy trophies.
Speaking of league positions, do you think Liverpool have the quality this year to clinch a place in the top four?
I don't know about more important but for years I think Liverpool v United has been the fiercest of rivalries mainly due to Liverpool's success in Europe and the fact that in recent years United have caught up. There has been a bit of a shift as some would argue United v City is now the most important but you can't ever take away the rivalry between United and Liverpool, the atmosphere at Anfield when United come to play is second to none Its the first team I look for when the fixtures are announced.
Both Manchester clubs have made a brilliant start to the season, can you see it quickly becoming a two horse race between the two local rivals for the title?
I hope not but I think it may well be although admittedly at the start of the season I didn't have it as that, I did have Liverpool finishing in the top 4 thought and Arsenal nowhere to be seen and I don't think that'll change. What has happened at City is extremely exciting but I get a little sad that they may well prove (like Chelsea did) money can buy trophies.
Speaking of league positions, do you think Liverpool have the quality this year to clinch a place in the top four?
Definitely, not only the quality but the spirit & no-one would wants it more than Dalglish, he instills that into his team, staff and fans alike.
Which United player should Liverpool supporters be looking out for during the game and which Liverpool player are you most worried about?
Which United player should Liverpool supporters be looking out for during the game and which Liverpool player are you most worried about?
Nani, who is in great form at the moment may prove a tricky customer for Enrique, but Luis Suarez is the one to watch for United after causing all kinds of problems in last season’s encounter and has had a blistering start to the season too. Although he will have big Phil Jones to contend with!
Finally, can we get your prediction for the score?
There have been five red cards in the last seven Premier League games between Manchester United and Liverpool at Anfield so I predict plenty yellows and a sending off. I think Man United may well edge it but I'll play it safe with a score draw.
Finally, can we get your prediction for the score?
There have been five red cards in the last seven Premier League games between Manchester United and Liverpool at Anfield so I predict plenty yellows and a sending off. I think Man United may well edge it but I'll play it safe with a score draw.
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