Jamie Carragher says a Manchester United victory at Liverpool this weekend would "send shockwaves through the Premier League".
The two old rivals go head-to-head in a top-of-the-table showdown at Anfield on Sunday, with United going into the game three points ahead of the champions following their 1-0 victory over Burnley at Turf Moor on Tuesday.
Liverpool have been reined in after collecting just two points from their last three Premier League games.
"I actually think it's a bigger game for Liverpool," Carragher told Sky Sports. "The onus is more on them. If United got a result there, that's when the belief would come that they could win the league. I still think people think United may fall away and Liverpool have still got that edge, but if they won at Anfield that would send shockwaves through the Premier League.
"It's a game where Liverpool need to show they are the champions, they are the better team, get the result and also a performance that puts Manchester United back where they are."
Looking ahead to the game, former Liverpool defender Carragher said: "I don't think Manchester United have ever really hurt Liverpool with the counter-attack at Anfield, like they have done against Manchester City in the past.
"There is no doubting the devastating effect United could have on the counter, especially with Liverpool's problems at centre-back and questions over whether Joel Matip will be back there.
"But I don't think Liverpool will change, if you look at their record at home, they have dominated for the last three years."
