Confirmed lineups: Rashford replaces Pogba for Manchester United, while Milner takes Liverpool armband
Manchester United and Liverpool have released their starting line-ups ahead of the 200th clash in this historic rivalry.
The hosts are without Paul Pogba, as had been reported following an injury sustained in training late in the week, with Scott McTominay keeping his place in midfield ahead of the fit again Marouane Fellaini and Marcus Rashford the man replacing the former Juve man.
Manchester United have only lost two of the 18 league matches that Pogba has started this season compared to three of the 11 he has not. Tellingly the side have scored markedly more goals when the Frenchman has been involved from kick off (2.17 per game) but they have also conceded more (0.89 per game), shipping just six across the 11 league matches he hasn’t started.
Elsewhere Juan Mata comes in for Jesse Lingard, while there is a welcome return for Eric Bailly to the defence. The Red Devils have conceded just three goals in the eight league matches that the Ivorian has started this season, winning six.
He’ll partner Chris Smalling, who has been involved from the start in nine of the ten Premier League defeats that Mourinho’s men have suffered since the start of last season. Their only loss in 34 matches without him in the first XI came against Manchester City.
The big decision from Jurgen Klopp has been to start James Milner in midfield ahead of Georginio Wijnaldum and Jordan Henderson, though they have fared far better without the latter.
Indeed, Liverpool have only won nine of the 18 league matches that their captain has started this season, compared to eight of the 11 that he has not.
Elsewhere Andrew Robertson returns having missed out in midweek due to injury and the Reds have lost just one of the 16 league matches that the Scot has started since signing for the club.