Anfield is the setting for the 244th meeting between Manchester United and Liverpool, as Ruben Amorin seeks to kickstart his debut season in the Premier League.
Contrasting fortunes is somewhat of an understatement when considering the present stature of the clubs.
Liverpool hold a five-point lead at the head of the table, having played two games less than second-placed Arsenal. United have endured four consecutive defeats and sit seven points ahead of relegation-occupying Ipswich.
But, as is generally the case when historic rivals lock horns, form tends to go out of the window and results can be difficult to explain.
The wounds of a 7-0 Merseyside mauling in March 2023 remain a prominent reminder of the threat on offer, with travelling support last celebrating an Anfield victory thanks to Wayne Rooney in 2016.
However, despite public perception and a perceived lack of harmony, there is ample quality in this Manchester squad and they are capable of turning up on any given day.
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Thankfully, Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte are available for selection after serving one-match bans through suspensions.
Their value to the starting XI was evident in the defeat to Newcastle, with the midfield duo of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen visibly struggling to maintain the required tempo.
Amorim was open and honest when analysing his side’s recent performances and addressed injury concerns ahead of Sunday’s 16:30 BST fixture.
“I think [Marcus] Rashford is ill, and Jonny [Evans] is out,” the Portuguese tactician told media. I think the rest – Vic [Victor Lindelof] is almost there and Luke [Shaw] also. But they are out. The others, I think, are fit.”
Mason Mount remains sidelined following his latest setback, as supporters remain eager to welcome their number seven back into regular selection.
The damage of a disastrous December schedule is reverberating across the supporter base, with much apprehension building in the North West.
United failed to win any of their previous eight league visits to Liverpool and are one short of equalling their worst sequence, which occurred from 1970 to 1979.
But the sides have not faced off in the opening league match of a calendar year since 1989 when the Reds triumphed 3-1 at Old Trafford on New Year’s Day.
“Hopefully, we get an overconfident Liverpool who don’t give us the respect we are due,” Stanley Chow told Shaun Connolly on the Theatre of Red Podcast.
How are you feeling ahead of the latest chapter in this rivalry?
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