Manchester United’s Smalling showing focus
Manchester United youngster Chris Smalling is hoping to tie down a regular place in the team’s starting XI and is also looking to join the list of defenders to score against Liverpool.
The England international is set for a return to action against the Merseysiders, having been out for a short period through injury.
The 22 year-old is also aiming to improve upon his goal tally for the season, having already netted on two occasions this campaign.
Despite their defensive duties, a large number of Manchester United defenders have scored against Liverpool in the past including Gary Pallister, John O’Shea, Mikael Silvestre, Rio Ferdinand and Wes Brown.
The odds aren’t completely against Smalling either with the former Fulham prospect revealing that he works hard on his attacking game, striving to make as much of an impact from set-pieces as possible.
Speaking to United’s official website, Smalling stated: “I’m definitely working hard on my role at corners and free-kicks in order to make an impact. When I joined, one or two of the coaches pointed out that they were looking for goals from the centre-halves. Obviously Nemanja Vidic scores a few and if you can add goals to your armoury it’s a massive plus point.”
He added: “Hopefully I’ll keep finding the net and contribute a bit more in the future. I don’t want us to be relying all the time on the strikers for goals.”
