Liverpool FC : Starting Lineup, Formation Against Manchester United

Kenny Dalglish will lead Liverpool out against arch rivals Manchester United this coming Saturday in the lunchtime kickoff in the English Premier League.

The Scot will once again pit his wits against fellow Scot Sir Alex Ferguson in a battle that will surely be a yard stick for the Reds to measure how they stand against probably most people's favorites for the title this season.

Of course, one result a season does not make; but a win at Anfield for Liverpool will be a boast to their campaign like no other. If the Reds can beat Manchester United at home, then surely they can take three points from all others that come to their door.

Last year's corresponding fixture was later in the season and Liverpool seems to do better later on in seasons than early.

That being said, the Reds will need to be in top form if they are to repeat their three point haul from this encounter again this season.

The following is a prediction of the starting lineup and formation that Dalglish may adopt on Saturday.

Goal Keeper: Pepe Reina

Spanish stopper Pepe Reina is Kenny Dalglish's undisputed No.1, and with due justification. Reina is one of the best, if not the best, goalkeeper in the English Premier League.

The Reds have not been as tight on defense as Reina will have liked, hence his clean sheet tally this season, so far, has not been anything to write home about.

But coming off a clean sheet in the Merseyside derby last time out, Reina will be confident and hoping that he can make it two clean sheets in a row.

Left Back: Jose Enrique

The signing of Jose Enrique has been a master-stroke by Liverpool.

The Spaniard was on the Reds' radar for a while and they finally got their man this summer. He has been a wonderful acquisition.

Enrique has slotted into the left side of defense almost effortlessly.

Defensively, he has been sound. Offensively, he has created a good understanding with fellow new signee Stewart Downing and has been extremely effective.

Despite Brazilian Fabio Aurelio back to full fitness and available for selection, Kenny Dalglish is more than likely to stick with Enrique at left back and rightfully so.

Right Back: Martin Kelly

Kenny Dalglish is a fan of Martin Kelly, there is no disputing this fact. More often than not, whenever it is possible, Kelly has been in Dalglish's starting lineup.

The youngster has not failed his manager yet, putting in assured displays that belie his age and level of experience.

In Kelly, Liverpool Football Club have a right back for now and the foreseeable future.

Glen Johnson is available to Dalglish, if he so wishes, and the England right back will be raring to go.

But Dalglish has always been reluctant to change a winning team if he does not have to, keeping to the old Liverpool way of keeping your place if you play well and no player being an automatic starter.

In the old days when Liverpool were dominating domestically, if you played well, you kept your place in the team; meaning that players were there on merit. And players coming back from injury or suspension would have to wait for their opportunity and then when it came along, to grab it with both hands and fight to keep it.

Therefore, it would seem that Glen Johnson has a fight on his hands if he wants the right back slot back, as Kelly, who currently occupies it, justifies his selection.

Against Manchester United, it is more than likely that Martin Kelly will get the nod at right back.

Center Back: Jamie Carragher

With a lot of press this week centered on Jamie Carragher's role at Liverpool Football Club after his playing days are over, fans could well be thinking that we have seen the last of Carragher.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Indeed, the pressure is on Carragher, as his place is not guaranteed (as is no ones) and Agger and Coates will be looking to de-throne Liverpool's top defender in recent years.

But the star from Bootle has been up to all Kenny Dalglish has asked of him and in the derby, he was solid.

There have some lapses of concentration and errors creeping into Carragher's game of late, but currently, he is Dalglish's most reliable defender and if his form holds, he has a fair few more outings as first choice central defender in him yet.

Against Manchester United, the Kop is sure to see the familiar sight of Carragher patrolling and marshaling the Liverpool back four.

Centre Back: Martin Skrtel

New father Martin Skrtel has taken the opportunity to cement himself next to Jamie Carragher, as Kenny Dalglish's preferred centre back pairing following Daniel Agger's unfortunate injury.

Skrtel has knuckled down and performed fairly well, keeping Agger out of the side, despite the Dane being available for selection again.

Against Everton, Skrtel was assured and composed, although the Toffees were a man light.

However, Dalglish is unlikely to tinker with a defense that has played together for a few games and coming off a clean sheet in the Merseyside derby.

Therefore, Skrtel will most likely keep his place alongside Carragher for Saturday's visit of Manchester United.

Left Midfield: Stewart Downing

Since his move from Aston Villa to Liverpool, England winger Stewart Downing has settled into the team almost seamlessly.

With Downing, it feels like he is already very much at home at Anfield.

There have been games where he has been very effective and others where he has gone a little AWOL. However, what he does, he does well; and that is to put good quality crosses into the danger area.

I do not see him light up matches with his genius and wizardry on the left wing but if you want a no nonsense left winger who can deliver a telling ball into the area, then more often than not, the unspectacular but effective Downing is your man.

The England winger has been a good buy by Kenny Dalglish and has forged a good understanding with Jose Enrique at left back; himself a new boy at Anfield.

So far so good for Downing and his contributions have been valuable to the Reds. This consistency and dependability will see him take the left midfield position this coming Saturday.

Right Midfield: Dirk Kuyt

Dirk Kuyt has put his head down and, in typical fashion, ground his way back into the starting lineup under Kenny Dalglish.

His selection ahead of Jordan Henderson in the Merseyside derby was vindicated, despite missing a penalty.

But credit to him, after seeing his penalty saved, he simply put it out of his mind and put in a good solid shift.

The thing with Kuyt is that, Dalglish knows exactly what he will get if he selects him. That kind of dependability is what managers look for in crucial encounters, hence his selection against Everton.

This solidity and consistency will probably be in the mind of Dalglish when he picks Kuyt to continue on the right side of midfield when Manchester United comes to visit on Saturday.

Dalglish does not want any surprises against the club's bitter rivals and with Kuyt, he will not get any, just a simple, honest and quality performance.

Add to this that in this fixture last time out, Kuyt walked away with the match ball following his hat trick, Dalglish will probably give him the nod again this year.

Centre Midfield: Lucas

It is more than likely that one of the central midfielders against Manchester United will be Lucas.

The Brazilian has developed, matured and really come of age now and his performances are consistent, solid and effective.

A Brazilian has taken over from an Argentine for the role of defensive midfielder at Anfield.

The shoes left by Javier Mascherano were big but recently, Lucas appears to have grown the feet to have filled them.

Maybe not as dynamic but surely as efficient as Mascherano, Lucas is now Liverpool's midfield sheriff and he is no longer afraid to mix it up with the most physical of opponents. His tackling, breaking up play and distribution are exemplary.

Lucas understands his strengths and simply applies them. Every team has its unsung hero and Lucas is Liverpool's.

Never the most outlandish or extravagant, the Brazilian is an integral part of Dalglish's plans and  will line up in central midfield Saturday.

Centre Midfield: Steven Gerrard

This could be the match when Kenny Dalglish gives Steven Gerrard his first start after recovering from his injury.

There have been moments when it seems he would again be rested, but there must come a point when he makes his return.

This match comes after an international break, which is not the best preparation for such a massive encounter, but it will be the same for Manchester United.

For Gerrard, it has come at a perfect moment.

He has had a few appearances as a substitute in the last matches and it was very good for Liverpool and Gerrard that he was not picked for the England squad, as this has given him further time to prepare and get his fitness together.

Big time players such as Gerrard love the big occasion and even thrive on it. This is the perfect match for Gerrard to make his return.

Liverpool are a stronger team with Gerrard in it, than not.

Striker: Andy Carroll

Andy Carroll's goal against Everton was exactly what the doctor ordered for the big fella.

Under the microscope every time he touches the ball, Carroll is under extreme pressure by those outside of Anfield. It would not be wrong to suggest that many not connected to Liverpool in some shape or form would love to see him fail.

Carroll has Kenny Dalglish as his teacher and he couldn't have wished for anyone better.

The story for Dalglish is unerringly familiar; as manager of Blackburn Rovers, he broke the bank in bringing Alan Shearer to Ewood Park and it was a masterstroke.

It was Shearer's goals that won Blackburn their league title.

Dalglish knows how to develop the talent of Carroll that Liverpool have paid such a large sum for and so the English striker could not be at a better club.

Carroll will face Manchester United on Saturday, as it is unlikely that after scoring on his previous outing, Dalglish is going to bench him.

Another goal at the weekend and Carroll will be in the headlines again, and for the right reasons.

Striker: Luis Suarez

The impact that Luis Suarez has made at Liverpool since his arrival has been nothing short of sensational.

Suarez is already a Kop hero and fans have taken him to their hearts. He seems to play football like he is in the park and playing just for the love of the game.

He hates being substituted and missing a chance when creating or being presented with one. But this hatred is not a negative one, it is a positive one.

Overall, it is his appetite, desire and love for the game that shines through every time he plays.

This coupled with the astonishing skill and technical ability he possess, makes him a favorite at Liverpool and feared by opponents. It is likely that he would be the player defenders would least like to play against.

Suarez is like a breath of fresh air and epitomizes the new era at Anfield with his attitude and approach to the game.

The undoubted star of the current team, Suarez will no doubt start against Manchester United and if he puts in a display like the one he did in this fixture last year, the Reds may well be collecting all three points again.

Formation

Kenny Dalglish favours a traditional 4-4-2 formation in most of his games.

But there has been a 3-5-2 formation also tried.

However, with a large majority of the squad away on international duty and the time for preparation for this game short, Dalglish is probably not going to try something radically different from the last few matches.

At home, it would be good to see the full backs pushing on, particularly Jose Enrique, who has shown a good attacking ability.

Lucas will play the holding role, with Steven Gerrard pushing up whenever he can.

Downing and Kuyt should provide the width, especially with Downing looking to put in quality crosses for the strikers.

Luis Suarez will partner Andy Carroll, but will probably be allowed to roam looking for pockets of space and generally to make a nuisance of himself.

Overall, it should not be anything too radically different formation wise; there just is not enough preparation time to make too many tactical changes.

If Liverpool can play with the intensity they are capable of, especially playing at home, then max points should be within their grasp.