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Your support makes all the difference.It’s an extremely lively occasion and one of the most famous games in the history of the Premier League, Manchester United face an in form Liverpool side, looking to close the five point gap at the top of the table.
Liverpool will be without star man Sadio Mane, who has left to join Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations.
It’s a big game for…
Wayne Rooney. Despite missing out on his 250th Manchester United goal on Tuesday night, this could be the perfect game for him to finally break Sir Bobby Charlton’s record, he equalled the record against Reading in the FA Cup last weekend.
He should accomplish another record on Sunday, when he becomes only the 21st Premier League player to reach 450 Premier League appearances.
Best stat…
There have been 16 red cards handed out in this fixture, only Everton vs Liverpool have had more (21)
Remember when…
The 1996 FA Cup final saw a very cagey affair between the two rival clubs, however cometh the hour cometh the man, as Eric Cantona volleyed home a poor clearance by David James to win the final in the last 10 minutes.
Player to watch…
Adam Lallana. Since signing from Southampton, the midfielder has been a revelation for Liverpool, one of Klopp’s go to men, he has been involved in more goals this season than any other English player, scoring seven and notching seven assists.
Look for him to test United’s backline, If Coutinho joins him in midfield; it could be an interesting game of cat and mouse.
Past three meetings…
Liverpool 0 Manchester United 0, Anfield, October 2016
Manchester United 1 (Martial) Liverpool 1 (Coutinho) Old Trafford, March 2016
Liverpool 2 (Sturridge, Firmino) Manchester United 0 Anfield, March 2016
Form guide…
Manchester United: WWWWWW
Liverpool: WWWWDD
Vital information…
Kick off time: 16:00pm
TV: Sky Sports 1
Odds…
Manchester United to win: 11/10
Liverpool to win: 23/10
Draw: 12/5
Hello and welcome to The Independent’s live blog for today’s two huge Premier League clashes.
First, Everton welcome Manchester City to Goodison Park with Pep Guardiola looking to get his side’s season back on track.
Morgan Schneiderlin is set to make his Everton debut following his £22m move from Manchester United.
After that, our attention shifts to Old Trafford as Manchester United and Liverpool renew their rivalry.
United are on a 9-game winning streak and are unbeaten since October as Jose Mourinho leads his side closer and closer to the top four.
Join us for all the action, with the first game set to kick off at 1.30pm.
Here's how they line up at Goodison Park...
...and Everton manager Ronald Koeman has made some bold decisions. Sticking with the 3-4-3 formation he experimented with in the FA Cup defeat to Leicester, the Dutchman makes just one change to that side, Kevin Mirallas replacing Enner Valencia in attack. It means teenager Tom Davies keeps his place in midfield while new signings Ademola Lookman and £22m man Morgan Schneiderlin are on the bench.
Manchester City stick with the same ten outfield players that destroyed West Ham United in the cup nine days ago. Pep Guardiola's only change comes in goal where Claudio Bravo replaces Willy Caballero; Pablo Zabaleta captains the side while John Stones returns to face his former club.
Everton: Robles, Coleman, Baines, Williams, Funes Mori, Holgate, Barry, Davies, Mirallas, Barkley, Lukaku
Subs: Stekelenburg, Jagielka, Schneiderlin, McCarthy, Lennon, Valencia, Lookman
Manchester City: Bravo, Sagna, Stones, Otamendi, Clichy, Toure, Zabaleta, De Bruyne, Sterling, Silva, Aguero
Subs: Caballero, Kolarov, Delph, Sane, Navas, Garcia, Iheanacho
Referee: Mark Clattenburg
John Stones returns to Goodison Park as part of Manchester City's back four.
Kevin De Bruyne was one of two Manchester City players to miss a penalty when Everton claimed a point at the Etihad Stadium earlier this season, but the Belgian is more than proving his worth to the cause.
Sergio Aguero has netted in his last two appearances after returning from the ban that kept him out for most of December, and the home fans have further reason to be fearful today - the Argentine is deadly on the road.
Another away victory this afternoon and Manchester City can truly banish the Goodison Park hoodoo that marked the start of the decade.
The flags are flying high at Goodison Park.
Everton versus Manchester City kicks-off in ten minutes.
The theme tune to Z-Cars rings around Goodison Park as the players of Everton and Manchester City emerge from the tunnel to an expectant sell-out crowd. Their arrival poses many questions: How will Everton's back three cope with Manchester City's riches in attack? Will Pablo Zabaleta merit his place in central midfield? How come there hasn't been a 21st century reboot of Z-Cars seeing as every other classic has had that treatment?
As with every other English league game this weekend, Goodison Park rises as one for a minute's applause to Graham Taylor.
Looking on, Ronald Koeman looks a little guilty. Any chance he can get a retrospective ban for that foul on David Platt?
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