It's one of the first matches supporters of both clubs look for as soon as the new Premier League fixtures are announced and this season Manchester United won't have to wait long to face Liverpool.
The two English football giants will go head-to-head at Old Trafford on Saturday, August 20 (subject to change for television), just three games into the 2022/23 season. It's the earliest old rivals have faced each other in a league fixture since 1972.
From a United perspective, it is hardly a fixture that they can be looking forward to. Last season The Reds humiliated Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side with a 5-0 thrashing at Old Trafford in October before serving up another 4-0 spanking at Anfield in April - nine goals without return over the two games.
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However, they are now under the stewardship of new manager Erik Tan Hag and former Red Devils winger Ben Thornley believes, facing Jurgen Klopp's side at Old Trafford so early in the season could work in his former club's favour. He told United's own media channel: "[To play Liverpool on the] third game in, it’s really unusual. I don’t think any team is going to be in their full stride within the first six games of the season. I think the third game in is not a bad time to play them at all, especially here at Old Trafford.
“It’s a good fixture. We are playing at home, a new manager, fresh start and exciting times, so I’m expecting us to win.”
That optimistic outlook was shared by another ex-Manchester United plater, Quinton Fortune. He said: “When you play for Manchester United these are the fixtures you look forward to. It should be the same every season. Whatever Liverpool have done in the last season is in the past. It’s a fresh start [with a] new manager. They [United's players] have got to change that mindset about what’s happened in the past [and harness] the positivity of playing with each other, together. That family feeling of Manchester United.”
Despite the upbeat vibes from Thornley and Fortune, Liverpool are still likely to regarded as favourites for the match. Not only did Klopp's side stick nine past their North West foes last season, but they also finished a huge 34 points ahead of them in the Premier League.
Fans looking forward to seeing the two sides lock horns will not have to wait until August however. Liverpool and United will go head-to-head on July 12 at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok as part of a Far East preseason tour. The game may provide a first glimpse of Darwin Nunez in a Liverpool shirt following his transfer from Benfica. Who better to score your first goal against than United?
