Liverpool face one of their biggest tests of the season to host Man Utd at Anfield in one of the biggest clashes of the year today. The game will live up to its hype after being billed as one of the most exciting matches to watch. Although Liverpool start the week on top of the table, United are not too far behind in 6th place.
The Reds will need to win against Man United in order to reassert themselves at the top of the table, after Man City won 3-1 over Everton on Saturday.
Jose Mourinho says he plans to attack when his injury-hit Manchester United side travel to Liverpool on Sunday.
The gulf in class this season has been apparent, with Liverpool notching up 42 points already while United have a meagre 26. It will be an interesting match, and one that takes Mourinho's men out of their comfort zones.
Kick off: 17:00 (CET)
Date: Sun, 16-Dec-18
Team news
Liverpool
Although Egyptian Mohamed Salah is surely the most in-form player in the Premier League at the moment, only a fool will say Liverpool are heavily dependent on him. Roberto Firmino has found his old touch, and with Sadio Mane now out of the injury list, the Reds have an enviable front three.
Liverpool will be forced into a defensive reshuffle with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez all out injured.
James Milner could replace Alexander-Arnold at right back, while Nathaniel Clyne may return to the squad having not played since September.
Liverpool's defence has been breached only on 6 occasions this season. They have maintained 10 clean sheets, and all credit is due to goalkeeper Alisson Becker and defenders, Virgil van Dijk and Andrew Robertson. Robertson is also a threat higher up the pitch and can torment opposition defences.
Naby Keita is back in the team and helped by old war horses, James Milner and Jordan Henderson in part, Liverpool's midfield has no reason for worry at all.
Manchester United
Meanwhile, Mourinho is hopeful some of his injured players will be available.
Marcos Rojo joined the ranks of sidelined defenders during Wednesday's loss to Valencia and looks certain to miss out along with Victor Lindelof and Alexis Sanchez. Chris Smalling, Diogo Dalot, Anthony Martial, Matteo Darmian, Luke Shaw and Scott McTominay are all also doubts.
Although Manchester United were beaten by Valencia 2-1 in the Champions League midweek, there is no real cause for concern for Jose Mourinho, apart from the usual defensive worries. Injuries have plagued his team, but they must surely find a way to overcome them.
David de Gea and Nemanja Matic, who were both rested for the trip to Spain, will return, while Mourinho must decide whether to again leave out midfielder Paul Pogba, who failed to impress at Mestalla.
Romelu Lukaku needs to start taking more responsibility in the attacking third of the pitch to give United a chance. Marcus Rashford has been seen as a leader by Jose Mourinho, and he needs to step up as well.
Ashley Young, Juan Mata, and Fred need to step up to the plate if there is to be any chance for United to have a win at Anfield. Nemanja Matic needs to be dropped again, and Marouane Fellaini should be started in midfield.
Match stats
This will be the 201st meeting between Liverpool and United, with the Merseysiders winning 65 and suffering 80 defeats (55 draws).
Liverpool are winless in their last eight Premier League games against United (D3 L5).
This is the most points United have been behind Liverpool in the league table before Christmas since Christmas Eve 1990 (16 points), while it's the most points Liverpool have been ahead of United ahead of a top-flight meeting between the sides since March 1990 (21 points).
Liverpool are currently on their joint-best Premier League unbeaten run (17 games).
United manager Mourinho has won 50% of his Premier League away games at Anfield (4/8); the best win percentage among managers with 5+ such games in the competition.
Predicted line-up
Liverpool
Alisson; Robertson, van Dijk, Lovren, Milner; Henderson, Wijnaldum, Keita; Mane, Firmino, Salah.
Manchester United
De Gea; Young, Bailly, Jones, Shaw; Herrera, Fellaini, Matic, Lingard; Rashford, Lukaku.
Prediction
Liverpool replaced Manchester City at the top of the Premier League last weekend but could well be back down to second by the time they host Manchester United on Sunday. Jurgen Klopp's side will be full of confidence after booking their name in the knockout phase of the Champions League in midweek.
United supporters must be watching Liverpool's season with envy. Things have largely been poor under Jose Mourinho this season and they head to Anfield 16 points behind Liverpool. United are unbeaten in their last five matches against Liverpool, though four have been draws.
Liverpool haven't won a Premier League game at home to United since September 2013 but it's hard to look beyond a Liverpool win on Sunday. Klopp's side are superior in almost every department and should really have a field day up against United's leaky defence.
Liverpool 2-0 Manchester United