Rio Ferdinand says Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should emphasise Liverpool's injuries during his pre-match team talk at Anfield.
The Reds face their fierce rivals sat three points behind them in the Premier League, meaning it is a hotly-anticipated clash at Anfield this afternoon.
In a rallying cry to his former club, Ferdinand revealed that Sir Alex Ferguson used to play upon the fact Liverpool were not as strong as they used to be when the two sides met.
Whilst the Reds now have a formidable home record, Ferdinand has advised Solskjaer to use the same approach due to the amount of injuries Jurgen Klopp's side face.
He said on Twitter: "There are big games, there are games that mean a bit more than the other and then there's the Liverpool game - especially when both teams are near the top of the table.
"Obviously with no fans in the stadium it's not going to be quite the same but trust me the importance of this game and its history will not be lost on these current players.
"Even just the thought of losing this game used to make you feel sick. This Manchester United team have the opportunity to really hurt this Liverpool team's confidence by going six points clear of them with a win.
"You couldn't ask for more of an incentive right now. PS, Liverpool haven't lost at home for nearly four years also... another incentive right there!"
He continued: "Fergie used to always say to us at Anfield 'this ain't like the old Liverpool teams that used to play here', just that little mention of them lacking some quality would put a spring in your step.
"Ole, or someone else in that dressing room, must be shouting that this is a weakened team compared to the last couple of seasons, first-choice centre-backs out, get at them from the first whistle.
"Simple, yes, but sometimes highlighting the obvious can trigger something. These games aren't about overcomplicating things a lot of the time, control your emotions, meet the challenge physically and mentally head on, play quick and aggressive and punish any mistakes... the rest takes care of itself.
"Tactically, you should know the drill and be working off auto-pilot from that standpoint."
With the game being played behind closed doors, Ferdinand also admitted that a lack of fans will be the one ingredient missing from this afternoon's encounter.
He said: "Control the crowd by keeping them in their own half and don't do anything to lift their fans. These were massively important aspects too which unfortunately for us won't need to be dealt with today.
"If there's one thing these types of games miss more than anything during these Covid times, it's having no fans to ignite the atmosphere."
