Brucey Just Goosing the Scousers

Virtual Planetoid

Enmity between Manchester United and Liverpool seems more palatable than some other high profile rivalries in the Prem. Certainly, intra-city derbies might liven up the masses, but until recently, when was the last time Citeh and United have been fighting at the top for trophies? How long has it been that both Tottenham and Arsenal were battling for a First Division/Premiership title?

In both instances, contemporary history shows the significance of those derbies likely hasn’t matched the fervor to which supporters attach to them; however, the same cannot be said for United and Liverpool. With United on the precipice of breaking the tie with Liverpool for most top-division titles this season, one might expect emotions and rhetoric betwixt those associated with either club to heat up as that possibility becomes more likely.

So leave it up to a former Manc to stir the pot a bit.

Ahead of this weekend’s clash at the Stadium of Light between Sunderland and Liverpool, Black Cats manager–and former United central defender–Steve Bruce has delivered a few opinions that might be irksome to Scouse Nation when taken as a whole.

First, he appears positively ecstatic that King Kenny’s doing so well at Liverpool in his second go with the club. Saying that Dalglish has “picked them up by the boot laces,” Bruce seems rather happy that the Merseyside club is back amongst the fray challenging for European spots now that Roy Hodgson is out.

This follows his previously contentious relationship with the Spanish Waiter and his prognostication that Woy would be “fine at Liverpool” if he was given the time.  Now, the love-in on Dalglish could be considered a bit of throw-away commentary as is, but a look at the scenario and what’s at stake for both sides going forward could make it positively devilish.

As mentioned in this preview for ‘Pool’s Europa League tilt with Braga, LFC might get pinched when it comes to playing European footy next season. With either Bolton or Stoke essentially guaranteed a Euro spot due to the FA Cup draw, the Liverbirds have to either vault Tottenham in the league standings or win Europa outright to play on the continent next season.

Overhauling Spurs in the league is certainly achievable–only six points separate the sides–but guess which club is just lurking behind the Liverbirds to snatch that European place instead? On 38 points heading into the weekend, Sunderland are nipping at LFC’s heels and with a slightly softer looking fixture list remaining, 3 points over Bruce’s old rival would be massive for the Black Cats whilst possibly detrimental to Dalglish’s Liverpool revival.

In short, Bruce will want to take those boot laces and wrap Merseyside up in knots.

Next, Bruce declared that–while at Wigan–he could have bought Andy Carroll for about 10% of the cost Liverpool recently coughed up for him. Mentioning he had rung up Sound-Bite Joey about the lad’s availability back then, Bruce admitted the only reason why Carroll didn’t move to Wigan was because there simply wasn’t enough bank at the DW Stadium for even that small of a deal.

So, Liverbirds, you first manager this season was great if you had only given him the time in the job. Your second manager is even greater than the first but during his tenure you might have blown too many pounds in building for the future–or at least you overpaid in the here and now. Oh, and Brucey’s beginning this weekend against Liverpool looking to finish a Prem season with his highest league position as a manager.

Certainly, Steve Bruce might not have intentioned for all of that to be taken out of context as I did and twisted into the narrative of rivalry–I’m not even sure if his massive head would have thought of it.

But it makes a match between Sunderland and Liverpool a bit more interesting this weekend, eh?