TEAM NEWS

Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren is nearing a return after a hamstring injury but will not be fit to play against Manchester United on Sunday.

None of the other players on a lengthy injury list are close to fitness, with Daniel Sturridge still sidelined.

Manchester United will be without Bastian Schweinsteiger with a knee problem, while fellow midfielder Michael Carrick is also injured.

Defender Phil Jones is expected to return soon following his ankle injury.

MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES

Jonathan Pearce: "It'll be rampantly passionate - and that's just Jurgen Klopp on the touchline. His team showed resilience to equalise late on against Arsenal but they do look jaded.

"Interestingly, though, from 1 December to 31 January they'll have played just one more game than Paris St Germain and one fewer than Barcelona. So much for the continental mid-season break making a huge difference!

"With Liverpool suspect every time the ball gets whipped into their box, Wayne Rooney could become the highest one-club Premier League scorer. But with good service, the maligned Christian Benteke could maintain his decent record against United in a likely draw."

Twitter: @jpearcefootball  

WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp: "Sunday is important for the table because we are close together. Both teams need the points. Derbies are the salt in the soup.

"It's a special game for me and for the club. I enjoyed the atmosphere against Arsenal but I think we can do better."

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal on whether playing Liverpool is his side's biggest league game: "It is how the fans see it. I feel it also already four times.

"We have played each other four times - in the USA and the league. You can see it in the faces of the players.

"The passion to play these kinds of games is very high."

LAWRO'S PREDICTION

I never thought Liverpool were in control of the game against Arsenal and it is likely to be the same against Manchester United, who will have had an extra day of rest. That might affect Liverpool's ability to press, which would definitely help United.

I don't see United playing as open as they did against Newcastle at Anfield, though. Louis van Gaal is under a bit of pressure, but I don't think his side will lose.

Prediction: 1-1

Lawro's full predictions v Creed stars Michael B Jordan & Tony Bellew

• Think you can do better than Lawro? Predict the score for this match and the rest of this round's Premier League fixtures in our Predictor game.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• Manchester United have won six of the last eight league meetings (L2).
• Liverpool, though, have only lost two of the last seven encounters at Anfield (W4, D1).

Liverpool

• Liverpool have only taken eight points from their last seven Premier League games (W2, D2, L3).
• However, they are enjoying a four-match unbeaten league run at Anfield (W2, D2).
• In two of their last three league games at home they have needed to score in the 90th minute or later to earn a point.
• Christian Benteke has scored in his last three league appearances against Manchester United, but has lost two and drawn one of these three games.

Manchester United

• Manchester United have won just one of their last eight matches in the league (D4, L3).
• United have conceded 10 goals in their last six league games - the same number they let in over their first 15 matches this season.
• Wayne Rooney will be looking to score in four successive games for Manchester United for the first time since March 2012.
• Rooney now has 175 Premier League goals for Manchester United and is level with Arsenal's Thierry Henry for the most goals at a single club in the competition's history.