So, Liverpool v Manchester United, once more. The usual sort of talk surrounds it. Bragging rights, superiority, success.
It's a debate held often: just who is the better team? Arguments are held on Internet forums and over the office water cooler. Over and over, forever and ever. As we wait for it to go down at the theater of dreams, here are some of the historical facts of this rivary.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
- Manchester United have won seven of their eight most recent meetings with Liverpool in all competitions at Old Trafford, losing the other.
- There hasn't been a draw between these sides at Old Trafford since March 2000 - they've had 17 meetings since in all competitions.
- This Premier League fixture has produced 16 red cards. Only Everton v Liverpool (20) has seen more.
Manchester United
- Manchester United have lost just one of their previous 10 leagues games at Old Trafford (W7, D2).
- However, they have only won three of their last 10 Premier League matches (D3, L4).
- United have kept a clean sheet in three of their four league games this season.
- Wayne Rooney needs one goal to move alongside Denis Law in joint-third of the club's all-time leading league scorers, with 171. Only Bobby Charlton (199) and Jack Rowley (182) have scored more.
- David de Gea has not kept a clean sheet in any of his last seven full 90-minute appearances in the Premier League.
Liverpool
- Liverpool have taken four points from their two away matches this season.
- However, they have only won one of their last seven away games in the Premier League (D3, L3).
- Brendan Rodgers' side have kept a clean sheet in three of their four league games this season - although they conceded three goals in their last match against West Ham.
- They could fail to score in three consecutive league matches for the first time since February to March 2005.
- Liverpool have hit the woodwork five times this season - a Premier League high.