Expect goals and not controversy as Marriner given Liverpool gig
Published:Much of the talk about referee Andre Marriner in the build up to Manchester United’s trip to Liverpool is whether he can cope with the atmosphere at Anfield, but the talk should instead be much more positive as a sack load of goals are likely to be scored.
Marriner was in charge of the same fixture at Anfield in 2009 and failed to endear himself to Sir Alex Ferguson, who believed that his side were on the wrong end of a number of big decisions because the referee was heavily influenced by the noisy home crowd.
Among them was the decision to send off Nemanja Vidic, alongside the refusal to give a late penalty to Michael Owen.
Meanwhile, with Kenny Dalglish largely not happy with the consistency of refereeing in Liverpool’s games this season, the pressure is certainly on Marriner to improve on his previous performance.
However, with Marriner in charge, one thing that should be guaranteed is goals.
In his three Premier League games so far this season, Marriner has seen 18 goals go in, partly as he officiated Blackburn’s 4-3 success over Arsenal and Manchester United’s 5-0 romp at Bolton.
Therefore, the best bet of the crunch encounter seems to be that over 2.5 goals will be scored.
It is 5/6 in the Premier League betting that a minimum of three goals are scored and the fact that Manchester United have been unnaturally giving when it comes to conceding goals this season, this is another reason to expect goals.
Five of Manchester United’s seven games this season have seen at least three goals scored, while this has also been the case in two of Liverpool’s three home games.
Manchester United have only failed to score in two of their last 24 league games and this may make them good value at 11/8 to take the three points and extend their unbeaten start to the campaign.
Liverpool’s odds are 2/1 to triumph and they have beaten Manchester United in their last three showdowns at Anfield.
