The on and off pitch clashes that will decide Sunday’s derby…
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5. Brendan Rodgers v Loius Van Gaal
Both managers have a variety of fitness and form problems, and each has a number of difficult decisions to make. Sunday’s game will be decided as much by the team sheets as it will by the players on the pitch.
Van Gaal must decide whether to persevere with three centre-backs, or switch to a 4-4-2 as he did in the middle of the game against Southampton.
Rodgers on the other hand will have to decide between a half-fit, out of form Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert up front. The Liverpool manager may do what he did against Basel in midweek and play without a striker.
Martin Skrtel is always ready to be called upon as an auxiliary forward if needs be.
4. Robin Van Persie v Kolo Touré
Van Persie did not play well against Southampton – in fact he was totally peripheral – but he still scored twice. Southampton have one of the best defences in the league and dominated large parts of the game but they were still unable to keep the Dutchman at bay.
This is an ominous sign for Liverpool, who have been unable to contain even the most offensively feeble teams this season. A van Persie in goalscoring form is going to be very difficult to stop.
Touré has forced his way back into the side of Dejan Lovren, and the Ivorian will need to call on all of his experience to keep United’s formidable attack at bay.
3. Raheem Sterling v Ashley Young
Sterling has been unable to find the sparkling form he showed last season, and he hasn’t been helped by the midweek European fixtures. The 20-year-old played the whole game again in midweek, and Liverpool fans will fear another subdued performance from the attacker.
On the plus side, he’s up against Young playing in an unfamiliar position. Young has done well at wing-back in the last two games, but a clever player like Sterling can definitely cause him problems, especially if United play with the lack of fluency they did on Monday night.
2. Michael Carrick v Jordan Henderson
Carrick’s return has been vital for United, as they are now able to control games much more easily, and can prevent themselves getting into chaotic games of end to end chances, unfortunately for the neutral.
If United get a lead, it will be very difficult for a disheartened, tired, out-of-form Liverpool to get the ball off the Englishman in midfield. The Reds will rely on Henderson to press the United midfield with his impressive energy, and put pressure on to draw out mistakes.
United’s passing was very sloppy in the face of Southampton pressing on Monday, and Liverpool’s best chance of winning is by replicating that aggressive style. 
1. Rickie Lambert v Paddy McNair
McNair was dragged off before half-time at Southampton, and van Gaal may not want to risk damaging his confidence by playing him again. The defender clearly couldn’t get the hang of the back five, and with United looking like they’ll be forced into playing it again, it might not be the best idea to pick the Northern Irishman.
Lambert was also taken off early in his last match, despite the fact that Liverpool were chasing the game. He will also probably have to start thanks to a lack of options, and has a great chance to bully the young McNair if Liverpool can get balls into him in the right positions.