BetBlazers Definitive Guide: Liverpool vs. Man United

• The match will kick off on Sunday 16 December at 16.00 UK time
• Martin Atkinson will referee the game
• The match will be live on BT Sport 

Both teams have a spate of defensive issues, although Man United's should be considered more acute. Both teams have still have a range of midfield and attacking options available. Both have their first choice goalkeepers fit and ready to go.

Liverpool

• Joel Matip, Trent Alexander-Arnold and James Milner could all be a doubt after suffering knocks in the game against Napoli during the week
• Dominic Solanke, Joe Gomez, Nathaniel Clyne and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are all out

Man United

• Defenders Victor Lindelöf, Chris Smalling, Marcos Rojo, Luke Shaw, Diogo Dalot and Matteo Darmian are all a doubt for the clash on Sunday
• Winger Anthony Martial is also thought to be out for the match

When asked to pick their combined best 11 of United and Liverpool players former United captain Gary Neville was told he was clutching at straws. Almost laughed off the set by colleague and former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher. Neville admitted to picking United players for the sake of it.

It was a midweek of mixed fortunes for these two old foes. Liverpool managed to qualify for the knockout stages with a last gasp win at home to Napoli. While Manchester United missed a golden opportunity to top the group with Juventus losing away to Young Boys in Switzerland. The Red Devils endured a miserable night away to Valencia losing 2-1 and finishing their qualification to knockout stages on a bad note.

But what's in it for both teams? Well Liverpool just edge it at the top of the Premier League. With Pep Guardiola's Manchester City nipping at their heels they can't afford to drop a point. 

The scramble for points is the same for Jose Mourinho's Man United. United sit well off the top 4 at the moment and can't afford to drop any more points after a spate of disappointing draws.