Liverpool vs Manchester United: 5 key player battles to watch out for | Premier League 2020-21 

#3 Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) vs Jordan Henderson (Liverpool)

Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes will face Liverpool for the first time.

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson was named the PWA Player of the Year last season, but there is a high possibility that Manchester United talisman Bruno Fernandes could be his successor to the award.

The Portugal international has been the standout player in the league this season, and he has played a key role in transforming the fortunes of Manchester United on the field.

Jordan Henderson has been integral to Liverpool's success over the last two years, with his on-field leadership and energetic displays firing the Reds to glory.

Against Manchester United, he will be charged with ensuring Bruno Fernandes has a quiet outing at Anfield.

After collecting his latest #PL Player of the Month award, @B_Fernandes8 recorded this message for you guys 😍#MUFC pic.twitter.com/q5ArvP1lNI

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 15, 2021

The 26-year-old is central to everything Solskjaer's side do on the field, as he is capable of both starting and finishing attacks. However, Henderson is more than capable of ensuring Fernandes does not hit full gear.

#2 Paul Pogba (Manchester United) vs Georgino Wijnaldum (Liverpool)

Georginio Wijnaldum could keep the Manchester United midfield in check.

This is yet another midfield battle that could prove key in determining the outcome of this fixture.

Both Paul Pogba and Georginio Wijnaldum function primarily as ball-carriers, with their box-to-box ability key to the way their respective sides play.

After a lukewarm start to the season, Paul Pogba has begun to shine for Manchester United, scoring the winner against Burnley last week.

Team news from both sides ahead of #LIVMUN 👇

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 16, 2021

Manchester United will hope for more of the same from Pogba against Liverpool. However, he could more than an able match in Wijnaldum, whose tenacity, physicality and excellent reading of the game makes him the ideal player to keep the Frenchman in check.

Both men also possess decent goal-scoring threat and could step up if their forwards have an off-day.

#1 Edinson Cavani (Manchester United) vs Fabinho / Nat Philips (Liverpool)

Edinson Cavani might lead the line for Manchester United.

With Liverpool having a severe crisis in defence, this is an area Manchester United could exploit to the fullest.

The absence of first-team centre-backs has seen Jurgen Klopp field a makeshift defence on different occasions, and that could play into Edinson Cavani's hands.

Solskjaer has deployed Anthony Martial as the focal point of the Manchester United attack at several points this season, but the Frenchman has struggled to get going.

After serving out his three-game ban for using racist language, Edinson Cavani was back to lead the Manchester United line at Turf Moor and could be handed another start against Liverpool.

His experience and versatility in front of goal should see him take maximum advantage of what is certain to be an inexperienced Liverpool defence. Nevertheless, whoever gets the nod at centre-back position would face a tall task of keeping the former Napoli man in check.