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| Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara. © AFP=News1 |
Thiago Alcantara (Liverpool) and Bruno Fernandez (Manchester United), who are currently considered the best midfielders, will face off in England’s football derby.
Liverpool and Manchester United (hereinafter referred to as Manchester United) will play the 19th round of the 2020-21 English Premier League (EPL) in Anfield in Liverpool, England at 1:30 a.m. on the 18th.
Currently, Manchester United are at the top of the EPL with 11 wins and 3 draws and 3 losses (36 points and 10 goals), and Liverpool are in third place with 9 wins, 6 draws and 2 losses (33 points and 16 goals). If Liverpool wins that day, they will be in the lead again. On the other hand, Manchester United can maintain the lead just by drawing.
Manchester United and Liverpool are EPL representatives. The two teams, which have formed rivalry since 1892, have since fought for the top of the league and created the’Northwest Derby’, which attracts worldwide attention.
The key to this confrontation is the mid-century fight. It is the first’Northwest Derby’ of both Alcantara, who moved to Liverpool this season, and Fernandes, who moved to Manchester United last January.
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| Bruno Fernandez of Manchester United. © AFP=News1 |
Alcantara has won a total of 24 championships, winning two UEFA Champions League titles in Barcelona and Bayern Munich. He is regarded as the world’s best central midfielder with his accurate pass and excellent coordination in Jungwon.
After joining Liverpool, he was unable to participate in the game due to a new coronavirus infection (Corona 19) confirmed and injured, but he recently recovered and is gradually increasing his performance. Alcantara’s return is expected to give Liverpool a big boost to Liverpool’s midfield as Defensive midfielder Fabinho has changed positions and is playing as a defender due to the constant injuries of central defenders this season.
Coach Jurgen Klopp also hoped that “Alcanta is a player with a variety of options, and the fact that he can play is a great thing” ahead of the United Games. John Arne Risedo, who played for Liverpool in the past, predicted “Liverpool suffered from a recent goal drought but will end it with Altakara’s return. He will continue to give his teammates a chance to score in midfield.”
United are looking forward to Fernandes, who has emerged as the team’s ace after a year. Fernandez joined Manchester United through the transfer market last winter and has risen to the league’s best player, winning the EPL Player of the Month four times in the past year.
Despite being a midfielder, Fernandes has already scored 11 goals, and is now facing forwards like Jamie Bardy (Leicester) and Harry Kane (Tottenham). He also recorded 7 help, showing off his ability to create opportunities for colleagues.
Rise said of Fernandes, “It’s possible to create opportunities for his teammates from scoring,” and said he is a player who can make a big contribution to the team with various roles in attack.