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England has many great and storied football clubs. Arsenal, Everton, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, Leeds United, Aston Villa, Newcastle United, and Sunderland amongst others, stand as the most successful, most supported, and most historic English clubs.
But there are two which stand above the others, in terms of trophies, stature, and billing.
Due to reasons of history, geography, and inverse success over periods, Liverpool vs Manchester United has emerged to become - in essence - England's "El Clasico". Like Real Madrid vs Barcelona, Liverpool vs Manchester United is the biggest game in the national calendar, and represents a true "old guard" English fixture.
The cities of Liverpool and Manchester have four noted top-level clubs between them - Manchester City and Everton, of course, comprise the other two.
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But Liverpool and Man United, as the two most successful clubs, have a rivalry akin in spite and intensity to Arsenal vs Tottenham, or (sans sectarianism) Celtic vs Rangers. As clubs of a more similar historical stature and success level, their rivalry has arisen from history, given both cities' roles in Britain's industrial past. Liverpool was a major port, whilst Manchester emerged as a principal manufacturing centre.
Moreover, amidst this industrial and geographical rivalry, in which both cities vied to be the "king" of North West England, the rivalry between the clubs emanated from this inter-city schism.
It took a turn when United's Busby Babes, named after United legend, Sir Matt Busby, achieved league title success, culminating in the 1958 Munich disaster. Liverpool led by the legendary Bill Shankly on the other hand, attained league success in the 1960s, triggering a dynasty of sustained winning, lasting until the 1990s.
United came back strongly to win the league again in the same decade, and were subsequently the first English European Cup winners in 1968 - a decade after Munich.
Shankly retired in 1974, but under his successor, Bob Paisley, the club went on to win three European Cups, with a fourth added under boss Joe Fagan.
United struggled in the 1970s and 80s, which was compounded by Liverpool's dominance. This switched though, once club legend Sir Kenny Dalglish resigned as manager in 1990, and in the same year Sir Alex Ferguson won the FA Cup. From then, until the current period, Manchester United became the dominant force, and in their 2017 Europa League triumph, officially surpassed Liverpool's trophy haul.
Sir Alex used to joke about knocking Liverpool off their perch - well his club did in two counts. One was the trophy total, and the other was in winning more league titles. Man United now has 20 titles (both First Division/Premier League), whilst Liverpool (without a title since 1990) has 18.
As for this game, Liverpool is the better side, though United have many good players. Liverpool however, has far less on and off the pitch issues, and their form this season has been far superior. Going into this game, they surely are favourites, though nothing in life is certain.
But given Liverpool's favourite status, how should boss Jurgen Klopp handle this game?
What can Jose Mourinho do in this game? Will Pogba, Salah, Firmino, van Dijk, etc. define the outcome?
What's certain is that this game represents a deep and tense rivalry between the two biggest and most storied English football clubs, which ranks amongst the biggest grudge games in global football.
#1 Klopp - attitudes and psychology
Liverpool are clear favourites here. Whilst both they and United progressed into the next Champions League round, they won vs Napoli, whilst United lost vs Valencia earlier in the week.
Liverpool under Klopp this season looks more balanced, happier, and tactically able. Mohammed Salah, the recent BBC African Player of the Year for 2018, has regained his stellar form, and Firmino and Mane are always key threats.
Moreover, Liverpool has conceded few PL goals this season, and in part it's due to the presence of Virgil van Dijk - who is fast emerging as one of the world's prime centre-backs.
Alisson too is a great improvement over Karius, and (perhaps unfairly) maligned players like Lovren are doing well.
What's key though is a strong mentality - Klopp himself alluded to this in his pre-match interview on the game:
He knows clearly that a professional attitude is strong, and he also praised Paul Pogba as world class, and a potentially dangerous player against them.
The sign of champions in any season is doing what it takes - and holding the mental capacity - to win games when required. Jurgen Klopp is certainly acknowledging this, and it's a positive sign for this game, and in the league title hunt overall.
#2 Jose Mourinho - will he "park the bus"?
Jose Mourinho's fortunes in some ways have been contrary to Jurgen Klopp's. Whilst he has some top players under his stewardship at the club, he has had disputes with some players, is in contention with the board over transfers, and has showcased less stellar play and results in comparison to Liverpool.
They have lost to Derby County (of the Championship) in the League Cup this season, and secured Champions League qualification as much by luck as strong play.
However, Mourinho often gets results when needed, which buy him critical time and patience. A win vs the old enemy who are in a better holistic shape, would do much to settle fan dissent and unhappiness.
Would this mean he would park the bus though? It's possible. But doing this at Chelsea in his second spell relied on an immensely strong defence. His defence now at Manchester United isn't very strong, and relies in large part on de Gea's brilliance often. DDG could produce many good saves, but then with the attacking prowess of Liverpool, this may also be too much for them to handle.
A strong tactical plan by Mourinho would be enough to get a credible result here.
Prediction
As Liverpool are favourites here, I believe they will win.
Nothing is impossible. United could pull off a shock if required, and this would be a boost for Mourinho and a serious negative for Klopp. Especially given the proximity between Liverpool and Manchester City on the table.
Moreover, Mo Salah is bang in form again, and their forward line vs Manchester United's defence would be telling.
Mourinho's best hope is a master performance from Pogba and his other top stars, or a tactical masterclass. If none of these materialises, it could be comprehensive for Liverpool.
Salah too would be keen to extend his place at the top of the PL scoring charts, and against his club's old enemy it would be a prime place to do it.
Should Man United lose here, it would be another critical blow in Mou's tenure at United, and in attaining top four and Champions League football next season. Would it mean the sack? Who knows? But it would worsen United's issues all the same.
It's not just a hate match or another episode of their mutual and longstanding rivalry - it's a definitive game in each other's season.
Final score: Liverpool 2-0 Manchester United
