LIVE MATCH: Man United v Liverpool (Prem)

Manchester United v Liverpool
FA Premiership
14th March 2009 @ 12.45pm, Old Trafford

LUCAS REPLACES FOR INJURED ALONSO

Lucas Leiva starts in place of the injured Xabi Alonso as Liverpool try to keep their title dreams alive at Old Trafford this afternoon. Listen to full commentary on our Match Day Live show from 12.15pm GMT.

Rafa Benítez makes two changes from the side that spanked Real Madrid 4-0 on Tuesday, with Albert Riera also coming in for Ryan Babel.
 
The Reds XI in full is: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio, Mascherano, Lucas, Kuyt, Riera, Gerrard, Torres.

Subs: Cavalieri, Hyypia, Babel, El Zhar, Dossena, Insua, Ngog

F**k, we really could have done with Alonso for this game. We can still win without him though and what a chance for Lucas.

F**k alonso is injured & uff reira is back for babel.

Disappointed to see both changes albeit one was enforced.

Still confident though.

2-1 Liverpool.

Torres and a stoppage time Gerrard winner.

Right lads, off to the pub! COME ON LIVERPOOL!

Lets be positive lads, Alonso is going to be a miss but its a chance for Lucas to prove his doubters wrong!! We can still do this!! Believe!!!

I'm nervous for Lucas, big game, big chance for him to prove himself, better not blow it

COME ON THE POOL
 

This better be me at 90 mins   haha!!!

My only doubt is Riera, if Lucas plays as well as we know he can he'll be ok.

That back four looks solid as f**k doesn't it?

what a shame we lose Alonse for this one.
Well.. Lucas will have to kick some ass then

would say babel might deserve a start after his game against real

Rather have Babel, Riera will fall over his own two feet tonight. Lucas, this is your time son - stand up and count.

2-1.

Just saw, what a terrible subs bench. If we're in trouble, dont see too many who could change it in our favor.

Would have preferred to have seen Spearing in 
Mind you after he played for the reserves on Thursday night, it was always on the cards that he wouldn't be playing or even on the bench today.....shame.

Time to step up to the mark then lads ands show them there no match for the Mighty Reds of Liverpool.

Shame about Alonso, had no idea he was injured 

Wish I could be more confident about Lucas though.  Would love nothing more than to see him successful after all the stick he gets and what better game to prove himself in than against the mancs!!!  Come on reds!!!

alonso out, "injured"??
what the F**k!
still, best of luck reds!!

Bad news
No alonso and babel not starting
Anyway, come on redmen, we can beat these scumbags

Disappointed reira has come in for babel, reira has being poor lately and was hoping babel to kick on from Tuesday night, not to confident either with Lucas in midfield cant remember when we last played well with him there never mind won a game with him there.

A bit of F***ing Lucas support might be handy.  Let's at least give the lad a chance FFS.

Babel played well Tues, Rafa should have left him in the squad to give more confidence, then bring riera on if he wanted.
Ah well nothing we can do about it.
I'm positive We'll do it

Is it too early for a vodka 

It's not Lucas I'm worried about.

As redkenny said in the pre-match thread the game could be won or lost on the wings and with Babel finding some form I am a bit pissed off to see Riera walk straight back into the team.

not to confident either with Lucas in midfield cant remember when we last played well with him there never mind won a game with him there.

St James Park in our 5-1 demolition of the Toon. Cmon everyone get behind every one of the lads today, we can beat this lot!! They arent as good as people are making out!!

PS: Wondered how long it would take Sky to mention "Rafa Rant" and they didnt disappoint, it took them 5 minutes!!

Really fancied us today, but not so confident with Lucas there.

A bit of f**king Lucas support might be handy.  Let's at least give the lad a chance FFS.

I'm absolutely behind the lad 100%, it's his big chance and we all know he's got the quality and he's probably the best choice out of what we have to replace Alonso. My only complaint is Riera coming in for Babel, we need to attack and Babel is world class at running at players and putting the shits up them.

Come on you Redmen!!

Shame to see Alonso out but Lucas is the one on the pitch so let's get behind him from the off!

Just saw, what a terrible subs bench. If we're in trouble, dont see too many who could change it in our favor.

I don't think it's that bad to be honest.

We can inject some pace into the game with Babel and El Zhar and N'gog maybe a bit of an unknown proposition for United so you never know.

And remember, Dossena scored when he last came off the bench!