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Manchester United have returned to the top of the Premier League for the first time since 2013 and the stakes couldn’t be higher ahead of the Red Devils’ trip to Liverpool.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team have put together an impressive series of results to hold their own in the title mix-up. Jürgen Klopp’s champions have messed up their lines in the last few games.
Here, Sportsmail’s CHRS SUTTON goes through the shape of every predicted line-up ahead of Sunday’s mammoth fight at Anfield.
Chris Sutton will play Man United and Liverpool ahead of his Anfield clash
LIVERPOOL (4-3-3)
Alisson
Liverpool may have had problems this season but most of the time the Brazilian is a reliable, solid and safe pair of hands. 8th.
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Oddly crazy. A very creative full-back so he will sometimes give the ball away but he has to do better. 6th.
Fabinho
The Brazilian has become an incredibly important player for Liverpool. Can do a job at the back but that means he will be missed in midfield. 8th.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s form of the 2019-20 term has been inappropriate and out of pace
Andy Robertson was a bright spark for the Reds and made more crosses than anyone else
Nat Phillips
Academic who could be given the opportunity to grow up. The 23-year-old central defender is still learning. 5.
Andy Robertson
Robertson has placed 161 crosses this season. The next higher? Wolves Pedro Neto at 108. Always carries an attacking threat. 7th.
Jordan Henderson
Liverpool need their captain more in midfield than in defense, where he has occasionally come on. The type of player you want on your side. 7th.
Jordan Henderson is badly needed in midfield but is used as defensive cover
Thiago Alcantara
Difficult to judge as he had no starts due to the injury against Everton but was good defensively and with the ball at his feet. 7th.
Gini Wijnaldum
Not at his best this season. A few more forward passes to help Henderson wouldn’t hurt. 6th.
Mo Salah
He’s had dips but remains the Premier League top scorer and Liverpool’s top player. Attack is not the same without him. 8th.
Mo Salah has had dips but remains the league’s top scorer and Klopp’s most important player
Roberto Firmino (right) and Sadio Mane are out of shape and need a boost in confidence
Roberto Firmino
We know his talent for linking games but Liverpool have seemed out of sync lately. Have to face the challenge. 7th.
Sadio Mane
Played eight games without a goal in the Premier League before scoring at Crystal Palace last month. Might have something to do with reignited form. 7th.
TOTAL – 76/110
MANCHESTER UNITED (3-4-1-2)
David De Gea
He has limited his mistakes this season and improved his form to the point where he remains United No.1 ahead of the formidable Dean Henderson. 7th.
Eric Bailly
Injuries have held him back this season but United looks better on the team with him and is adding to the pace of defense alongside Maguire. 8th.
Harry Maguire
This Greece episode initially seemed to affect his football. But now the 27-year-old looks like an English central defender again. 7th.
Manchester United looks better with Eric Bailly (left) partnering with Harry Maguire (right).
Luke Shaw
A good game against Burnley, even if he could have received a red card. Has been a consistent player for United this season. 7th.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
One on one he’s just as good a defender as you’ll see as Paris Saint-Germain found out in the Champions League earlier this season. Could do better in other areas. 7th.
Scott McTominay
Someone who clearly loves the club and has been with United since he was five. The Scotsman never lacks effort. 7th.
Scott McTominay (left) was popular with Solskjaer because of his efforts and dedication
Bruno Fernandes is ‘Mr United’ and would go on any team, including the champions
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