Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says his side will do everything they can to get a result at Manchester United this weekend.
The Merseysiders travel to United sitting second in the Premier League, but with Sunday afternoon's clash being their game in hand on leaders Manchester City, the Reds will go back to the top of the table if they avoid defeat at Old Trafford.
"It's a big one," said the German. "They are in a good moment, physically strong, defend and attack well. Full of confidence. We will try everything to get a result there.
Manchester United vs Liverpool: Essential reading
"They're full of confidence, that's clear. We will go there as good as possible prepared. You never know. It's open until the final whistle. We try and use that time."
However, United are going for a 12th win in 14 matches in all competitions since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer replaced previous manager Jose Mourinho in December.
In fact, United remain unbeaten in nine league matches, having last tasted defeat at Anfield in December - a 3-1 loss that brought the end of Mourinho's reign.
And Solskjaer knows all about eagerly-anticipated encounters with Liverpool.
"I've played in a few of these myself and I know the magnitude of it for the fans, for everyone who works here, the staff," said United's caretaker boss.
"There have been many comments about, 'this is the big one' and 'we're looking forward to this one'.
"Then it's our job to be focusing and channelling all that energy into performance mode. It's not about emotions.
"I understand that emotion can be brought into it, but we have to stay focused and controlled but with some fight in us as well."
Team news
Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard could return on Sunday. The duo were expected to be out until early March with injuries sustained against Paris Saint-Germain, but both may be available for Liverpool's visit, with Solskjaer more optimistic about Martial (groin) than Lingard (hamstring).
David de Gea is set to return in goal after Sergio Romero started Monday's FA Cup win at Chelsea. Antonio Valencia, Matteo Darmian and Marcos Rojo are still fighting their way back from injury.
Liverpool will still be missing the likes of Dejan Lovren (hamstring), Joe Gomez (ankle) and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee) with injury, but Virgil van Dijk does return after being suspended for Tuesday's Champions League draw with Bayern Munich.
Opta stats
- Manchester United have won seven of their last nine home league games against Liverpool, losing 0-3 in March 2014 and drawing 1-1 in January 2017
- Liverpool won the reverse fixture 3-1 and are looking to do the league double over Manchester United for the first time since 2013-14. They're already the side to do the Premier League double over the Red Devils more than any other in the competition (4)
- Only Manchester City and Chelsea (6 each) have won more Premier League away games against Manchester United than Liverpool (5)
- Manchester United are on the longest current unbeaten run in the Premier League (W8 D1), and their longest run without defeat in the competition since October 2017 (10 games)
- Manchester United have kept just one clean sheet in their 12 Premier League games at Old Trafford this season, only Fulham have kept as few in home games (1). Meanwhile, Liverpool are one of three sides to have scored in every away league game coming into this round of matches (along with Spurs and Man Utd)
- Liverpool have lost just one of their last 13 Premier League away games (W9 D3). However, against sides starting the day in the top four, they're winless in their last seven away from home since beating Chelsea 2-1 in September 2016
Merson's prediction
I look at when United got beaten by Paris Saint-Germain and I thought they were a million miles off; that's when you judge managers. When you are winning every week, it's a doddle, but it's when you get beaten, it's how you bounce back. I thought they were brilliant in the FA Cup at Chelsea in the way they played.
If Liverpool get anything from this game, I think they have had a result. I am not saying that because I think Man Utd are a better team, but I think the pendulum has swung. You have a team that is very confident and a team that is very nervous and are snatching at chances. Look at Liverpool's game against Bayern Munich - two months ago, they would have scored two or three of those chances.
I think United will have a go. They are not a team under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer that will sit back. They will take the game to Liverpool, and I think the nerves of Liverpool will be too much.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (10/1 with Sky Bet)