Euro flops in crunch clash

TWO footballing giants who suffered European setbacks this week clash on Sunday in one of the most eagerly-anticipated Premier League matches of the season.

Manchester City, outclassed for the most part in their 2-1 Champions League defeat at the hands of Barcelona, go to Anfield for a noon shoot-out with a Liverpool team beaten on penalties by Besiktas in the Europa League.

After a sparkling run of form on the domestic front, Liverpool are in sixth place, just two points behind Manchester United, who occupy the last of the play-off berths. They can afford few slip-ups if they are to achieve that goal.

City’s capitulation at the hands of Barca in the last-16, first-leg game at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday was worrying, but domestic form in recent weeks has been excellent.



MANCHESTER United, still smarting from a 2-1 reverse at Swansea, know they must bounce back to winning form at home to Sunderland tomorrow if they are to stay in the top four.

Gus Poyet’s men are involved in a battle against relegation, and the manager’s bizarre rant against the press following the recent 2-0 FA Cup defeat at Bradford suggests he is a man under huge pressure.

So, too - although to a lesser degree - is his United counterpart Louis van Gaal, who continues to come under fire for his tactics despite his club sitting in the Champions League places and reaching the last eight of the FA Cup.