Liverpool versus Manchester United is still, despite the best work of David Moyes and successive Liverpool managers, one of the biggest sporting encounters in the world. The meeting of English football’s two most successful clubs is tense, fuelled by a rivalry not only local, but for stature as the nation’s greatest footballing entity.

Sunday is more than a rivalry, it is a crucial clash for the Premier League table. It is a fixture that could have a significant impact on the title race and the battle for top four positioning come the end of the season. All of this will be orchestrated by two of the sport’s best managers, Jose Mourinho and Jurgen Klopp, which only adds to the drama.

For all the focus on the big name stars and injury returnees (I’m looking at you Philippe), its easy to forget the numbers. As ever, there are a few stonking stats ahead of the North-West’s biggest moment since whatever the last big thing was on Coronation Street…

Tense Affair

Manchester United and Liverpool have not seen over 2.5 goals in any of their previous four encounters.

Jose Mourinho is involved in this one, too. So, you know, its unlikely to be a nine goal thriller. Tense is probably going to be the word of the day and we can expect Sky Sports to continue to use phrases along those lines if there are not a million goals in the first half.

After the tedium of their encounter earlier this season, a cagey affair can be expected again. This time at Old Trafford, though, and with Manchester United in stellar form, perhaps Mourinho will allow his side a little more freedom to commit bodies forward.

Fortress Trafford

Manchester United are undefeated in 10 of their last 11 at Old Trafford against their bitter Merseyside rivals.

Avoiding defeat has to be the bare minimum for Jose Mourinho’s side this weekend. A defeat would not only be hurtful in their pursuit of the top four, but kill off the momentum they’ve built up over their recent run of impressive performances.

Atmospheres do not come much fiercer than for these fixtures, either. If home advantage is ever to spur a team onto great things on the pitch, this is the occasion.

Shoot from the Hip

Only Tottenham Hotspur average more shots per game than Liverpool and Manchester United.

Averaging 17.6 and 17.1 shots per game respectively, Liverpool and Manchester United are two of the league’s freest shooters. Partially because of the number of individuals on each team who fancy their chances from range and partially because they have created a lot of opportunities this season, neither side is likely to match their campaign average on Sunday.

Even if there aren’t any goals, we should get treated to some players going for the heroic long shot.