Liverpool vs Manchester United: 5 players to watch | Premier League 2020-21 

#3 Thiago Alcantara

Thiago Alcantara joined Liverpool last summer

Earlier in the season, Thiago Alcantara had a debut to remember for Liverpool, as he set numerous passing records against Chelsea in a 45-minute cameo. He will hope to do the same against Manchester United on Sunday.

The Red Devils had been heavily linked with him earlier in his career and this fixture offers the Spain international a perfect opportunity to show the Mancunians what they missed out on.

Thiago's time at Liverpool has been hampered severely by injuries and a bout with COVID-19. But he showcased his abilities when he came on and changed the complexion of the game against a youthful Aston Villa side in the FA Cup.

THIS will get you in the mood for Sunday, Reds ✊Enjoy a look back at an unmissable @LFCTV documentary from 2019, examining the intense rivalry between us and @ManUtd...https://t.co/W1y4xKFTEg

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 15, 2021

He possesses pristine vision, passing, and an uncanny knack to control the tempo of a game with minimal effort. This makes him one of the best midfielders in the world, and the former Barcelona man will hope to be at the fore against Manchester United.

The midfield battle will be essential to getting the job done in this game and with Thiago calling the shots from the middle, Liverpool will fancy their chances of usurping their arch-rivals at the summit.

#2 Mohamed Salah

Mo Salah scored his first goal against Manchester United last year

Mohamed Salah has had a relatively indifferent last few weeks by his extremely high standards. But the Egypt international still leads the way for the Premier League Golden Boot.

The former Chelsea man has been one of the standout players in the world since signing for Liverpool in 2017.

Salah initially struggled against Manchester United, failing to score in his first four games versus the Red Devils. But he finally broke his duck at the fifth time of asking in January 2020.

The 2018 PFA Player of the Year is currently on a three-game goalless run in the league, which makes him even more dangerous in front of goal.

In light of this, the Manchester United defence will do well to keep a close eye on the Liverpool talisman.

#1 Bruno Fernandes

Bruno Fernandes has been spectacular

As far as debut calendar years go at a club, few if any, throughout history can match Bruno Fernandes' spectacular output at Manchester United.

The Portugal international has been directly involved in 33 Premier League goals from just 31 games, and his form has seen him break several records in under a year.

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

He recently became the first man in history to win four Premier League Player of the Month awards in a calendar year. For how integral he is to Manchester United, it is difficult to imagine the club playing without him.

His impact has been instant and transformational and in many ways, his immediate influence on the club can only be compared to that of Eric Cantona in 1992.

Fernandes is yet to face Liverpool in his Manchester United career and having been earlier accused of failing to turn up in the big games by Roy Keane, this is a perfect opportunity to silence his critics.

For all of the 26-year-old's displays, he is yet to win a trophy with the Red Devils. But if he can inspire them to three points against their biggest rivals, this could well be the season that Manchester United end their eight-year wait for league glory.