PETALING JAYA: The match between Liverpool and Manchester United in the ‘Battle of the Reds’ brings back fond memories that will not be forgotten when he was the Reds’ goalkeeper in the 90s, said David James.
James said the match that will be held at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium this Saturday (April 27) will certainly be heated as the two teams have always been rivals since forever even though they are friends off the pitch.
The 53-year-old legend who just arrived Malaysia on Wednesday (Apr 24) admitted that he can’t wait to meet the fans which certainly increases their enthusiasm of the troops to achieve victory for Liverpool.
“Yeah, I just hope that all the fans come down because, you know, it’s Manchester United versus Liverpool. They know that there’s a rivalry, and I think that both teams will try their best to beat the other but Liverpool will win,” he said.
James said this to Bernama after holding a “Battle of The Reds” meet-and-greet session which was also attended by Jason Mcateer (Liverpool Red) and two Manchester Red players, Paul Rachubka and David May at Fipper, Sunway Pyramid here yesterday.
Speaking briefly about the English Premier League (EPL), James said that Manchester City appeared to have no trouble securing the title for a record-breaking fourth time.
Currently Arsenal are in first place with 77 points, while Liverpool in second place (74 points) after completing 34 out of 38 games while Manchester City are in third place (73 points).
In the meantime, the players’ lineup for Manchester Reds includes manager Dwight Yorke, alongside players David May, Wes Brown, Clayton Blackmore, Keith Gillespie, Ben Thornley, Eric Djemba Djemba, Paul Rachubka, Russell Beardsmore, Lee Martin, Danny Webber, Mikael Silvestre, Quinton Fortune, Dimitar Berbatov, Erik Nevland, and Dion Dublin, with Teddy Sheringham leading as captain.
For the Liverpool Reds, manager David James leads players Emile Heskey, Glen Johnson, John Arne Riise, Patrik Berger, Vladimir Smicer, Steve McManaman, Jason McAteer, Florent Sinama, John Durnin, David Thompson, Jermaine Pennant, Djibril Cisse, and Phil Babb, with Luis Garcia as captain.
‘Battle of the Reds’ match is supported by the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), an agency under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Perbadanan Stadium Malaysia (PSM) and Football Association of Malaysia (FAM). – BERNAMA
