Liverpool FC: What Victory over Manchester United Would Mean for the Reds

In two out of the last three seasons, Liverpool have won the first meeting of the Northwest Derby rivalry against Manchester United. One season it proved a great boost, in the other it had little effect on the clubs results.

There have been 11 meetings of the rivalry in the last five seasons with Liverpool only winning four while the Red Devils have claimed seven victories.

In the five games following the Northwest Derby, the Reds on average take eight out of their next available 15 points in all competitions based on the above mentioned 11 game results.

This season marks what is likely to be one of the most watched derbies in recent history. Liverpool have massive hopes under their new owners and a newly assembled squad that has cost over £100 million to put together is still looking shaky across the board.

It has been costly and has not added up on the field as of yet and there is growing concern that much much more will be needed in January.

Last season, the Reds finished off the final of three meetings between the two by picking United apart at Anfield, but they would loose Steven Gerrard for six months following the match.

This year, they pick up where they left off with United coming back to Anfield, and Steven Gerrard set for what should make his first start of the season against the last team he helped beat from start to finish at home.

But just how big is this early-season fixture for the Reds this season? Huge.

With Manchester United and Manchester City both already six points clear of Liverpool at the top, this match is not only about dragging a few points back and pushing up the table. It is truly about proving that they have the players at the club that can perform when the chips are down.

So far no one has been convinced that they are anywhere near being able to compete at the top and are a model on inconsistency from front to back. They have to correct those issues or else it will be another season without Europe.

Liverpool need this to be a victory more than they have in a long time because there are a lot of questions left to be answered.

The biggest is if the current crop of stars has what it takes to beat a top-class team and define themselves as one in the process.

Injuries have caused problems with Gerrard, Glen Johnson and now Daniel Agger having spent time out. However, that is no excuse for a club of Liverpool's heritage and stature.

So far the biggest victory the Reds have pulled off is their win over Arsenal. Considering United destroyed them the following week and the Gunners have looked a shadow of their former selves, it really leaves no basis for comparison.

Bolton Wanderers have fallen to both of them also, but it is going to take bigger games than that to put a stamp on a season for the Reds.

The Merseyside Derby victory was dodgy at best. Everton caught some bad luck when Liverpool really needed them too, and that 2-0 scoreline did not tell the story. Even Dirk Kuyt's spot kick was completely gone—I don't think I have ever seen him telegraph one that bad.

If Liverpool win, and especially if Andy Carroll gets on the score sheet, they will have submitted their candidacy for a Champions League spot with proof of being able to achieve that quality of play. As long as the victory is decided on the field by the players and not a match official, that is.

Not only that, but Carroll would have gotten a huge monkey off of his back and could gain the confidence to continue his push for the first team since his last goal against Everton which was at least well taken.

Liverpool's x-factor could truly end up being what kind of spark Craig Bellamy could provide them from the bench. He has been a super sub of great quality so far and he is the reason Andy Carroll ended up getting a goal against Everton as Bellamy is the one who broke out and released Jose Enrique for him to be able to get a cross in.

Wayne Rooney's current funk could affect the United attack so Liverpool can be hopeful of that, and Darren Fletcher and Tom Cleverley are both fitness question marks. The Reds will have better luck against Anderson and Michael Carrick in midfield than they likely would if Cleverley and Fletcher were in the lineup.

However, if the Reds lose it will be a media fallout once more with them sitting nine points out of first and probably being tipped for a Europa League spot at best for the season.

There is a lot of time remaining if the Reds do not get a victory against United, but in the eyes of their fans it is a must-win. If the fans are expected to believe their boys can challenge for the Champions League places, then it would be helpful to know your team can beat top-caliber clubs like United.

The only other interesting bit of info is that United may have peaked earlier than usual this season and could drop some points in the middle of the season to random clubs. Liverpool have their work cut out for them that is for sure.

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