5 Talking Points: Man. United Vs Liverpool

Manchester United host Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday in what is undeniably a colossal fixture for both clubs, with the Premier League table at its tightest and most compelling all season. Here are five talking points to discuss ahead of the 16:00 GMT kick-off…

1: BIGGEST GAME THIS SEASON
United versus Liverpool is a rivalry that requires no hype; yet the significance of this 50th Premier League meeting has been amplified by United’s inspiring form in recent weeks. The Reds are enjoying a nine-match winning run and, crucially, six of those were in Premier League games to close the gap on the five teams above. Another victory over much-praised Liverpool, currently only five points ahead in second place, would send a stirring message that Jose Mourinho’s men are title contenders this season. Expect blood-stirring, vein-pumping passion at the Theatre of Dreams, both on and off the pitch, this weekend.

2: CAN THE VICTOR WIN THE TITLE?
That is the question many fans will ask. United are clearly in top form and carrying momentum at an influential time of year. Yes, leaders Chelsea are flying high, but everybody is well-versed in the Premier League’s unpredictability and anything can happen with 18 matches still to be played. Liverpool, meanwhile, have been much-fancied all season due to their lightning-fast start, yet the Merseysiders have wobbled in recent weeks with a shock loss at Bournemouth, an away draw at Sunderland, an FA Cup stalemate at home to Plymouth Argyle and Wednesday's EFL Cup semi-final first leg defeat at Southampton. The result at Old Trafford - positive, negative or in between - will have a big impact on both clubs.

3: ROONEY COULD BREAK GOALS RECORD
Imagine this scene: Wayne Rooney becomes United’s all-time leading goalscorer by scoring a winner against Liverpool at Old Trafford. That’s what many fans have hoped for since the captain drew level with Sir Bobby Charlton’s long-standing tally of 249 with his opener against Reading last weekend. It’s the stuff of dreams, particularly when you consider the striker’s boyhood allegiance to Everton.

4: SELECTION DILEMMAS
Zlatan Ibrahimovic missed the EFL Cup semi-final first leg win over Hull City on Tuesday due to illess, although Mourinho is confident the Swede will return. The boss could be without two centre-backs, though, with Eric Bailly away on international duty with Ivory Coast and Marcos Rojo nursing a muscle injury sustained in last weekend’s FA Cup win over the Royals. It remains to be seen whether the latter is fit. Jurgen Klopp has a problem of his own, too, because star forward Sadio Mane is also away at the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal. The German manager is boosted by the return of Philippe Coutinho, however, after the diminutive playmaker featured in the midweek EFL Cup loss against Southampton.

5: A CHANGE IN APPROACH
Liverpool and United played out a tactically-intriguing 0-0 draw in October, when Mourinho was pleased by the way his team “controlled” Anfield and “influenced the atmosphere in the stadium”. But that was then and this is now. Times have changed and the Reds are almost a different team, with the players more accustomed to the manager’s methods and demands. It’s fair to assume we will witness a different approach this time around, focused on our own strengths and abilities, rather than silencing a hostile environment. This is Old Trafford. This is Manchester. This is United. The stage is set for a classic.