Manchester United and Liverpool will lock horns at Old Trafford today in a fixture which will have a say in who finishes second in the Premier League this season.
United and Liverpool have been trading second place for a few weekends now, and Saturday's early kick-off will once again pit Jose Mourinho's cautious tactical approach against Jurgen Klopp's all-out attack.
Words of Managers:-
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho: "For me, it is just a big match [between] two historical clubs not just in England but the world and in this moment important for top four, important for second, but I still don't look to some matches as special opponents. It's just a big match because we are speaking about two big clubs.
"I want to win of course, it's a big match, big opponent. It's the team just behind us, it's a team that is already in the Champions League last eight so of course it's a big match. But I'm not very good on that rivalry - every opponent is a rival."
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp: "It's a good moment to go there but still unbelievably difficult. They have quality and it's an advantage for them to be at home. It's our job to level that. They're a very experienced team with a very experienced manager. It's quite a job to do.
"Two very good football teams will face each other. I hope all my players are involved in our defending. If someone says we have parked the bus I have no problem with that but we want to bring our football on the pitch as well because we know we're difficult to cope with.
"It will be a big fight but hopefully it ends with a positive result for us."
Team News:-
Mourinho is tasked with finding a formula for his array of attacking outlets and could initially shape up with a midfield diamond, as he did against Chelsea, though he is likely to opt for a 4-3-3 formation.
Hence United will be without Ander Herrera, Marouane Fellaini and Daley Blind for the game, while Anthony Martial missed Monday's win at Palace and is unlikely to return to the starting XI this time round.
On the other side, Klopp only has two injury concerns for Liverpool, with Georginio Wijnaldum likely to miss out with illness and Nathaniel Clyne still working back from a back injury.
Predicted Lineups:-
Man Utd XI: De Gea; Valencia, Bailly, Smalling, Young; McTominay, Matic, Pogba; Lingard, Lukaku, Alexis
Liverpool XI: Karius; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Henderson, Can; Salah, Firmino, Mane
My prediction: 1-1.
