Liverpool can climb above Manchester United into second if they can win at Old Trafford in Sky Sports' live Rivalry Weekend clash at Saturday lunchtime.
The last four matches between these two sides have ended in draws, and Jose Mourinho's tactics have been criticised, having overseen two goalless draws in three matches against Liverpool as United boss.
His team came from 2-0 down to win 3-2 at Crystal Palace on Monday night to go two points ahead of third-place Liverpool, but in his pre-match press conference, the United boss claimed to still not fully grasp the rivalry between the two clubs.
He said: "I still don't know (how much this match means) because in my mentality every match is the same and I'm not very good on that culture of 'this rivalry is special', 'that match is special' - I've never been very, very good at it.
"I never looked to AC Milan as the biggest rival (when I was at Inter Milan), I never looked at Atletico Madrid as the enemy (when at Real Madrid), I never looked to Spurs or to Arsenal as the big rival (when at Chelsea).
"I've never been very, very good on it. For me, it is just a big match: two historical clubs not just in England but in the world."
Team news
Marouane Fellaini is back in contention for the game after being sidelined since January 31 with a knee complaint.
Veteran striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is training and centre-back Eric Bailly is fully fit, but Ander Herrera, Marcos Rojo, Anthony Martial, Phil Jones and Daley Blind remain absent.
Jordan Henderson, Andrew Robertson and Georginio Wijnaldum are all available for Liverpool.
Henderson has trained after suffering a dead leg against Porto in the Champions League on Tuesday, as have Robertson (knock) and Wijnaldum (illness), both of whom missed that European game.
Nathaniel Clyne (back) is still lacking match fitness and will not be considered yet as manager Jurgen Klopp is happy with his options at right-back.
Opta stats
- Two of the last three league meetings between these sides have ended goalless - just one of the previous 49 between them in the top-flight had failed to produce a goal.
- Manchester United have won 10 of their last 13 Premier League home games against Liverpool.
- However, only Man City and Chelsea (6 each) have won more Premier League games away at Old Trafford than Liverpool (5).
- This fixture has seen 16 red cards in the Premier League - only the Merseyside derby has produced more.
- Romelu Lukaku has scored 99 Premier League goals; if he scores in this game he'll be the fifth youngest player to reach 100 in the competition, and the second player to score his milestone goal against Liverpool (after Harry Kane earlier this season).
- Mourinho has won only one of his eight meetings in all competitions with Jurgen Klopp (D4 L3), with his Real Madrid side beating Klopp's Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in a Champions League semi-final second leg match (still lost 3-4 on aggregate).
Merson predicts
I can't see Liverpool losing. It's a game where the first goal is massive, but Liverpool score and have plenty of pace in the team. They're playing well and have confidence. I don't think Manchester United will be able to cope with them at the back.
United won't open it up, I don't see that happening at all. If they win, they'll probably get second, but if Liverpool do I think they'll definitely end up coming runners-up.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (5/1 with SkyBet)