JBGrenouille writes:
Liverpool fans are chuffed to have Flanagan sign another deal. He’s not exactly a great player, yes he’s passionate and “gets stuck in” but he’s not the type of player you want if you want to actually win things!
Andy replies:
Guardian staff
OccamsEauDeToilette asks:
What’s your favourite beer? And, in your honest opinion, do you think this current United side are good enough to overturn a 2-0 deficit at OT and progress to the next round of the Europa?
Andy replies:
Guardian staff Question 1 - the search goes on. Question 2 - United put five past Midtjylland and have scored three against Liverpool in their last two meetings at Old Trafford, so of course it is possible. However, 4-0, 5-0 would not have flattered Liverpool last week and I think they will score again.
kurtvonn asks:
Hey Andy. Is there any possible question someone could ask which could result in you choosing to respond and not saying anything negative about United?
Andy replies:
Guardian staff Maybe after tonight's game but on the evidence of the first leg, and this is a blog about the Europa League tie, it is difficult. Emergence of Rashford, Borthwick-Jackson would be one.
Jozef Brodala asks:
Why have the scouting teams, of United in particular but I feel this also applies to Liverpool, failed to get any real value for money from market when much smaller teams – Leicester, Stoke etc – have managed to do much better from the market?
Andy replies:
Guardian staff United and Liverpool have looked to different markets - at players who can make an immediate impact - and have ended up over-paying for ill-fitting signings too many times. The lack of time/patience to develop at the top of the Premier League has cost them both. That is not to overlook Leicester's superb recruitment under Steve Walsh and others. What they have accomplished this season has exposed failings at the majority of Premier League clubs.
Sean Casham asks:
Manchester United are a team of complex superiority mixed in with low on-field expectation, much like the 1980s. Liverpool are similar. Which club is easier to fix?
Andy replies:
Guardian staff I don't think United or Liverpool's problems are easy to fix but Liverpool have at least started the process by hiring the best available manager.
MartinArd writes:
This second leg will be watched closely by the big boys. Leicester may be interested in one or two players....
Andy replies:
Guardian staff One or two maybe. They seem to be doing ok without wasting millions.
Chingu asks:
Andy, do you reckon the sudden interest in this competition among some who have been mocking it for years is a sign of its increased importance with more strength in depth in the Premier League, a reaction to the Champions League spot on offer now, or just a sign of these two clubs having fallen sufficiently far?
Andy replies:
Guardian staff
DonaldDuxbury asks:
What are the chances, of the ref being the main talking point from tonight’s game? Judging by some of his past displays, an accident waiting to happen.
Andy replies:
Guardian staff
HangingDuck asks:
The feature of Klopp’s tenure has been a maddening inconsistency. That seems to have dissipated over the last few weeks. However, could United do something to unsettle them, which could kick in the nerves? More importantly, can LVG continue his stay at United next season? Absolutely love the way United play under him. Cheers.
Andy replies:
Guardian staff Don't think it's a coincidence that Liverpool's form has improved/become more consistent with Klopp finally having a few clear weeks to train with the squad. And with injuries easing. As for United having anything to unsettle Liverpool, you would have to say no looking at their likely starting line-up for tonight. But, an early goal and all that...
YosemiteSpam asks:
Hi Andy. Both clubs are likely to be outside of the Champions League next season (and possibly the Europa as well). How do you see the lack of European football affecting their chances of attracting quality players in the inevitable rebuilding over the summer? Cheers.
Andy replies:
Guardian staff Hello. There's still a chance of qualifying for next season's CL by winning the Europa League but, on the wider point, I don't see finishing outside the top four as having as big an impact on transfer activity this summer. Certainly not from a Liverpool perspective where the true start of Klopp's rebuilding will be an attraction for many players. As will the £ on offer throughout the PL of course. United will be in a similar position with a change of manager. Both clubs, however, need a rethink on their transfer strategy on the evidence of recent windows.
RightMegger asks:
What do you think Fellaini would have to do to get punished by Uefa officials? I’ve got kill a puppy written down here.
Andy replies:
Guardian staff On last week's performance are you really concerned that Fellaini is eligible to play?
SpamDuster asks:
Which do you think documents United’s descent into mediocrity more, that they:
1.) Are invoking the spirit of Robson and Keane, of ‘Those Nights’ in Barcelona and Turin, in the vain hope of winning a game in Europe’s dunce competition against a side somehow lower than them in the table?
OR
2.) That they are relying on Marouane Fellaini to put in said performance?
Thanks, Spam.
Andy replies:
Guardian staff
LeftPegger asks:
Woah! Remember Bryan Robson v Barça? What do you say Andy? Can we repeat that?
Andy replies:
Guardian staff I like your enthusiasm but I don't share your optimistic outlook on this United team. As someone else has mentioned, an early goal could make a contest of it but I think Liverpool will score.
RightMegger asks:
Do you think the grass is really that much better at Old Trafford as to make a frankly rubbish Man U team play that much better?
Andy replies:
Guardian staff I think when you look to the grass for assistance you really are desperate. Ahead of tonight, United are.
lgchoc writes:
Just wanted to say delighted for Flanno getting his contract. Well deserved, he’s so solid defensively and you can see his passion for the club when he plays. I do think it’s important to retain that local link, if only to stop football going 100% corporate. In its own little way, and on a much smaller scale, players like Flanno, Noble, Rashford, Lingard, Kane et al. Still knocking about is, like Leicester’s season, a victory for football.
Andy replies:
Guardian staff
doncobaino asks:
Isn’t it a shame that the first time these two clubs meet in Europe, it’s with these squads? Both shadows of themselves, with United worse than Liverpool and the Scousers the only fans happy with their manager.
Andy replies:
Guardian staff 6th v 8th in the Premier League says it all about the respective squads and the changes needed (or underway in Liverpool's case) but, as shown at Anfield last week, that will be forgotten come kick off tonight. Might be more of an occasion than a football spectacle.
cavelier5 writes:
Can’t wait for tonight’s game. Anfield was rocking last week and I’m sure Old Trafford will be too. Let’s just be nice to each other though eh? Hi Andy! You’re a proper footie journo and everything – do you have any inside knowledge on what United plan to do with LVG at the end of the season? Is José a shoe in?
Andy replies:
Guardian staff Yes, let's be nice. A positive start. Cannot see United keeping faith with Van Gaal beyond this season for any other reason than inertia at the top of the club. And, on recent evidence, you wouldn't rule that out.
Some new just in from Andy in Liverpool...
Andy will be online from 12.30pm GMT
Good afternoon. Andy will be here shortly but, in the meantime, here are a few of our previews for the match tonight:
• Louis van Gaal: We owe fans a performance against Liverpool
The United manager spoke to the media yesterday and outlined his masterplan for this evening – it involves extra time.
• Jürgen Klopp: ‘I am not scared but it is not a holiday’
The Liverpool manager sounded confident when he addressed the press yesterday.
• Football quiz: Liverpool v Manchester United
We set up this quiz after the draw was made but thankfully all of the answers are still correct after the first leg. If you like quizzes, why not try today’s offering on sacked managers.
• Liverpool v Manchester United: a deep-rooted, tribalistic rivalry
If you still haven’t read Danny Taylor’s big piece on the long-standing and changeable rivalry between the two club’s
Enjoy the webchat.
Updated
Right, that's it from me. Thanks very much for your questions and apologies for not replying to all. Enjoy the game.