Steven McManaman believes that Liverpool will be favourites in their tie against Manchester United this weekend, if they play their stars.
Liverpool have been struggling with injuries, and while they are still in the Europa League, and the Premier League title race, they will need to juggle their resources in order to keep their players rested and fit.
On Sunday they visit Old Trafford for an FA Cup quarter-final tie, and there are some suggestions that big names could be omitted from the starting line-up in order to save them for bigger games to come.
Speaking to Betfred , former Manchester City and Liverpool winger McManaman thinks that a 5-1 advantage in the first leg against Sparta Prague means that they have room to field a strong side.
He said: “Last week, and I say this with all due respect to the FA Cup, you would have thought this game was a bit of a hindrance for Liverpool in all honesty. However, after their result against Sparta Prague, they can have a good crack at it. The 5-1 result over Sparta Prague now allows them to rest players, if they want to, in the second leg.
“They can play the kids at Anfield on Thursday because that job is effectively done and they can then go very strong against Manchester United and if they do, then they will be favourites to win that game, definitely.
“If you look at Manchester United’s form against Fulham, Manchester City and even Everton the other day, Liverpool should be the favourites if they put a strong team out.”
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