It does not help Richard Scudamore’s sales pitch to global broadcasters that a clash between the league’s biggest clubs is simply a contest between ninth and sixth in the table, but the significance of this game will not be lost on Jürgen Klopp and Louis van Gaal. Two very different managers want the same thing – evidence of genuine improvement – as they look to close the gap on the top four. Van Gaal has never lost to Liverpool and Klopp has never faced United before. League positions will be forgotten come kick-off. Andy Hunter
Kick-off Sunday 2.10pm
Venue Anfield
Last season Liverpool 1 Man Utd 2
Live Sky Sports 1
Referee M Clattenburg
This season G17, Y54, R3, 3.3 cards per game
Odds H 11-8 A 23-10 D 21-10
Liverpool
Subs from Ward, Bogdan, Lucas, Allen, Benteke, Caulker, Teixeira, Chirivella, Brannagan, Randall, Sinclair, Smith
Doubtful Sakho (knee)
Injured Origi (knee, Feb), Lovren (hamstring, 20 Jan), Skrtel, Rossiter Coutinho, Sturridge (all hamstring, Feb), Flanagan, Ings, Gomez (all knee, May)
Suspended None
Form DLWWLD
Discipline Y41 R1
Leading scorer Benteke 6
Manchester United
Subs from Romero, Pereira, McNair, Borthwick-Jackson, Powell, Jones Schweinsteiger, Varela, Depay, Januzaj, Mata
Doubtful Schweinsteiger (knee), Jones (fitness)
Injured Shaw (leg, May), Valencia (ankle, Mar), Rojo (shoulder, unknown), Carrick (unknown)
Suspended None
Form LLLDWD
Discipline Y36 R0
Leading scorer Rooney, Martial 5
