Liverpool host Manchester United on Sunday in what will be the biggest game of the Premier League season, so far.
The visitors hit top spot in the table ahead of the match, thanks to a win over Burnley, putting them ahead of their foes for the first time since the opening weekend of the 2019/20 campaign.
The 1-0 victory against the Clarets on Tuesday night will have done wonders for the confidence of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his men and the performance of midfielder Paul Pogba will also have boosted morale.
Edinson Cavani’s showing, against a well-drilled Burnley, also impressed as he dealt with the rough and tumble superbly and showcased his exceptional skill and work rate.
Liverpool, on seeing their rivals win, will now be determined to put them in place on their own patch – where they haven’t lost since April 2017.
Both sides, though, are carrying injury concerns going into the huge clash.
For Jurgen Klopp’s home side, defensive issues still dog the club with Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez remaining long-term absentees.
Joel Matip, though, is in a race against time to get fit for the match and ahead of the Reds’ FA Cup win over Aston Villa, Klopp said: “He is in a good way but if it will be United or a few days later, I don’t know.”
Konstantinos Tsimikas and Diogo Jota are both out due to knee injuries picked up in December, while midfielder Naby Keita is a doubt having not featured since starting the 7-0 win at Crystal Palace on December 19 due to a fitness issue.
United have picked up issues of their own with Nemanja Matic and Anthony Martial both looking in some discomfort against Burnley.
Matic carried on in a dominant display despite a groin issue, while his French teammate held his hamstring when he was replaced by Axel Tuanzebe.
The duo could possibly be absent, along with Victor Lindelof, who is a doubt with a back issue, and Facundo Pellestri who is absent after testing positive for coronavirus.
Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones also look set to remain out.