Erik ten Hag's Manchester United will host Liverpool at Old Trafford on Monday night following a catastrophic start to the campaign, but there is reason to believe this game will be tighter than last season's encounters between the two heavyweights of English football.
The Reds head into Monday's clash as favourites after their 5-0 and 4-0 wins over United last season, and considering the start Ten Hag's side has had to the 2022/23 Premier League campaign.
Liverpool, however, will be without the services of several key players for the match, with Thiago Alcantara, Darwin Nunez, Ibrahima Konate and Joel Matip among those missing through injury and suspension.
United, though, will need an improved performance following their consecutive defeats to Brighton Hove Albion and Brentford, and head into the game having failed to win in their past five games across all competitions.
The struggling English giants have not kept a clean sheet in their last seven matches, while Liverpool have conceded in each of their previous five games.
Jurgen Klopp will be concerned with his team's recent defensive record, having seen his men concede the first goal in four of their past five fixtures, a streak that has run since last season.
Mohamed Salah, meanwhile, goes into the encounter with an impressive nine goals in 10 matches against United.
