Pre-Match Build Up
As you can see from the previous meeting statistics my side have dominated against Manchester United in 8 of the 10 meetings between the two famous clubs. My Liverpool FC side has managed to get 17 goals against Manchester United as we have been able to turn our dominance in possession into quality goals. This is Manchester United’s only chance of any silverware this season so they will be desperate to come out on top.
Team Line-Ups
Both teams decided to put out strong teams...this is the FA Cup final after all and it is between two of the biggest clubs in European football. Manchester Untied decided to set out with their big stars in Wayne Rooney and Neymar who is still yet to score against my Liverpool FC side. I decided to go with Fabio Borini up front in the hope that he could continue his good run of form which saw him become player of the month in April. The support from the sensational Erik Lamela and the always impressive Steven Gerrard, who coincidentally will be potentially his last cup final for his beloved Anfield club, I was confident the team would come out on top.
Half Time Score
I have to admit but when Neymar decided to get his first goal against my side that I thought it was going to become a difficult game for us to get into. We really did struggle in this first half in all aspects of the game; we appeared to go from a team that dominates in all areas of the pitch to a side who couldn’t string a few passes together. That simple fact was unknown territory for me as Liverpool FC manager and it was quite worrying. I was kicking and screaming when Fabio Borini missed the penalty but I guess he made up for it just before half time which was a huge relief.
Full Time Score
In my honest opinion I firmly believe that my Liverpool FC has totally surpassed anything that Manchester United has ever achieved. Despite not being in control of the first half our pure superiority on the football pitch shone through for the footballing world to see. Yes we didn’t control the possession but look at the sheer difference in opportunities created which is enough justification I think for our name being on the trophy for the third season in a row. On a side note, Raphael Varane, in a season or two, will become one of the world’s best centre backs. He is simply amazing and is just a naturally gifted footballer. I can see him as a future captain of the club already and his partnership with Kyriakos Papadopoulos will be one that lasts another 10 seasons at least.