Manchester United are out to stop Liverpool’s Premier League title bid when they welcome their arch-rivals to Old Trafford on Sunday.
United were swept aside at Anfield when the two met in December in what turned out to be Jose Mourinho’s last game in charge.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has had a transformative effect on the club since his arrival in the dugout, leading the club to 11 wins from 13 games including victories on the road against Tottenham, Arsenal and Chelsea.
With Manchester City in action in the EFL Cup final this afternoon, Liverpool have the opportunity to open up a three point lead at the summit of English football.
From their perspective, there is no better place to do it than at Old Trafford.
Standard Sport looks ahead to where this afternoon’s match will be won and lost.
United much improved in the early stages
While much of the focus has been on how Solskjaer has injected life back into United’s attack the Norwegian is also deserving on praise for steadying things at the back.
United have not conceded a goal inside the opening half hour since their interim boss took over having shipped 12 in the same period under Mourinho.
Perhaps more predictably, United have rediscovered their penchant for scoring early – racking up 19 before the half-time whistle in their 13 games under their new manager. Paris Saint-Germain are the only side to keep them out to date.
The final 15 minutes of the first-half is statistically United’s most dangerous period in the league, however, having scored 14 times. Both goals against Chelsea on Monday night also came in that time.
Liverpool still the meanest defence in the league
In Liverpool however they come up against the side with the best defensive record in the league – having conceded just 15 in 26 matches.
The Reds will also have a fresh Virgil van Dijk called upon after the Dutchman missed Wednesday’s clash with Bayern Munich through suspension.
Reds also quick second-half starters
Liverpool have scored nine times in the league between the 46th and 60th minute, including four in their last five domestic games.
United in comparison have scored just four in this time all season and have not done so since Solskjaer’s first game in charge against Cardiff.
Liverpool vulnerable later on?
United have conceded more than double Liverpool’s tally in the league but if there is to be any point in a match where the today's visitors are prone to leaking the odd goal, it is late on.
Seven of the 15 the Reds have let slip this season have come in the final half hour of games.
Underestimate them at your peril, however; the final 15 minutes has statistically been Liverpool’s most potent period in the league where they gave scored 15 times.
