Liverpool v Man United analysis: The key battles, match winners, weak links, and unanswered questions

What makes it particularly important in 2021 is that both teams appear to be in contention for the big prize for the first time in many years

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah battles with Manchester United's Harry Maguire at Anfield last January. Photo: Martin Rickett/PA

It's a rivalry between two clubs and two cities that is more than a century old, but there's an extra spice to this weekend's fixture between Liverpool and Manchester United which raises it above even the normal levels of hype.

Whether you consider it a 'derby' or not, United hold a historical advantage with 80 wins to Liverpool's 67 in 204 games, and this one will mean every bit as much as any which have gone before.