On the eve of the much-anticipated double-red match in the Premier League, former England international Sheringham expressed his views on the marquee match in an interview. Sheringham said bluntly that he is more optimistic that Liverpool can win in this game.
Sheringham has analyzed both teams' squads in depth and believes Liverpool have the edge in terms of both player quality and team leadership. "I scrutinized the lineups of Manchester United and Liverpool, and Liverpool undoubtedly has more top players and a wealth of winning experience." He singled out the importance of Liverpool's defensive centerpiece, Van Dyke: "Van Dyke is a true leader who is confident in himself and that confidence infects the whole team. He knows exactly how to lead the team to win the game, which is what Manchester United lacks at the moment."
Sheringham expressed some concern about United's current situation, "I don't see a leader like Van Dyke in United's squad, which is one of the reasons why I think Liverpool are more likely to win. Although United also have players who can shine and help their team win, Liverpool's players seem to be more consistent and reliable in comparison."
In addition, Sheringham also compared the two teams on a tactical level. He believes that Liverpool's squad structure is more reasonable, and although new manager Sloter has just taken over, the team has already shown excellent stability and control in the first two league matches. "Jurgen Klopp has laid a solid foundation for Liverpool, and Sloter doesn't need to make too many changes to keep the team competitive." He added.
Speaking about his personal feelings, Sheringham also said frankly: "I have a deep affection with Manchester United, but as a soccer commentator, I have to analyze the game objectively. With that in mind, I may not like to say this, but based on the team's strength and performance, I do favor Liverpool."
Finally, Sheringham also recalled his experience of the Double Red Club when he played for Manchester United: "I used to love playing this game because it was always full of passion and confrontation. Sir Alex Ferguson always made us understand the importance of this game to the fans and the club, and that it was a game we couldn't afford to lose. The support of the fans is what keeps us going and that's why the Double Red has always been one of the most important games of the season."
