Struggles in the league, struggles with new signings and out of Europe. Brendan Rodgers' in tray is not making for good reading right now.

But Rodgers says he remains the best man to take the club forward. The Reds, who trail Premier League leaders Chelsea by 18 points, went out of the Champions League after drawing 1-1 with Basel on Tuesday.

"The message for me, is clear. I don't think there would be anyone better to do the job here," Rodgers said.

"Seven months ago we nearly won the title. I had time to work with players and, above expectation, took them beyond where the club has been.

"This has been a difficult start with new players, less coaching time, young players, virtually starting again.

"I don't think there is anybody better equipped to deal with that having been here for the last two-and-a-half years and experienced what this club is about."

This morning we'd like to hear your stories about the most inspirational football coaches you've played under (see 10:12), as part of a collaboration with Get Inspired, a BBC initiative that aims to increase participation in sport.

Felipe Orellana: I was coached by Alfredo Graciani (Boca Juniors striker) and played with Claudio Caniggia. Really good coach and have never learned more!

Daniel Greig: A big thank you to my dad who coached me from the age of four to 18, sent me off twice and told me to play on with a broken wrist! Also to former England goalkeeper Nigel Martyn my former cricket coach! Not surprisingly he caught pretty much everything!

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Steven Gerrard steps off the Liverpool bus outside Old Trafford, closely followed by Mario Balotelli. The big players need a big display this afternoon.

Image source, PA

"It's a nightmare. It's one of the worst days I've ever had in football."

That was Wayne Rooney's assessment of Liverpool's 3-0 win at Old Trafford in March. United were on their way to a seventh-placed finish as Liverpool challenged for the title.

Roll on nine months and both teams look to be a long way from challenging Chelsea and Manchester City for the title this year. But today that can be parked as the rivals go head to head.

It's about pride. Pure and simple. Who wants it?

Image source, PA

"It was one of the most comprehensive away performances at Old Trafford for many years. Liverpool absolutely battered them in all areas and United looked like strangers.

"Make no bones about it, it could have been six or seven, Liverpool's movement was so good."

In life, as in football, nine months is a long time. But cast your mind back if you can to 16 March of this year when Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool side destroyed David Moyes' Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Liverpool won 3-0 and missed a penalty. Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling were on a different planet. Robbie Savage was moved to make the statement above.

But times change. Strikers change. Managers change.

Even the most optimistic Liverpool fan must be expecting a tougher afternoon today. Both sides have their issues - but who will get the points?

Right then. A big game calls for a big name in the live text commentator seat. Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls... here's the brilliant Tom Rostance.

Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown
Football Focus

"There is a sharpness and maturity about David De Gea. He has been one player who has maintained the form you expect of a Manchester United player over the last few years.

"United are a club geared to winning trophies and you do not switch that off overnight. Robin van Persie, until recently he had been in his comfort zone for a time, but now when he gets the ball onto that left foot he looks sharp and dangerous. He's come alive again."

Former Manchester United defender Phil Neville
Football Focus

"David De Gea deserves every penny of a new contract at Manchester United. If you look from where he has come from, he was as thin as a rake. Physically he wasn't developed. But you look at him now and he is winning games on his own. He is the up-and-coming young goalkeeper."

Image source, Getty Images

So, we're hearing rumours that Simon Mignolet might be dropped by Liverpool today. Manchester United have no such problems with David de Gea, who is proving to be one of the best keepers in the country this season - if not Europe. He's come a long way from being the young boy from Spain who, according to ex-United goalkeeping coach Eric Steele, was "lazy", "trained poorly" and ate "too many tacos"., external

This morning we'd like to hear your stories about the most inspirational football coaches you've played under (see 10:12), as part of a collaboration with Get Inspired, a BBC initiative that aims to increase participation in sport.

Wayne Grimstead: My turn to give something back to the kids by coaching Cascade Youth Club U13s. My influences were Robin Churchill and former Wales rugby international Alan Lewis.

Dan J Pinchy: Best coach? Mick Trenner at Mudgeerabah AFC in Australia. Got me very fit and helped me drag myself out of depression too. Top bloke.

Thomas Hague: Have been coached by class of '92 member Raphael Burke before, a really nice guy who coaches young kids in Bristol. An extremely inspiring coach with some great stories to tell.

Tell us your tales using #BigThankYou, external on Twitter, send a text on 81111 (UK only), or post a comment on the BBC Sport Facebook, external or Google+ page., external

Following on from the entry at 11:36, Liverpool supporter Andy Heaton, of the podcast and digital magazine The Anfield Wrap, agrees that the two sets of fans "hate each other because we're the same".

"We crave United's success, because we had it," Heaton adds. "We are so similar. [Manchester media impresario] Tony Wilson came out with a cracker: Manchester might be the heart of the North West, but Liverpool is the lungs."

This morning we'd like to hear your stories about the most inspirational football coaches you've played under (see 10:12), as part of a collaboration with Get Inspired, a BBC initiative that aims to increase participation in sport.

Gareth Chadwick: Dario Gradi at Crewe Alexandra taught me. Top coach and a top club. It's helped me with the local team I run now.

Paul Moore: We had an amazing coach at Northside under 15s - Gordon Cox. He went into debt just to keep our club going. Amazing man.

Timothy Baker: I was coached by a combination of my dad, godfather and a friend's dad. Not one said the same thing.

Tell us your tales using #BigThankYou, external on Twitter, send a text on 81111 (UK only), or post a comment on the BBC Sport Facebook, external or Google+ page., external

So, what makes this fixture so special? Our chief sports writer Tom Fordyce has been analysing the DNA of the rivalry between these two giants of the English game, and came up with some interesting theories. One of them being this: "The supporters who declare their hatred for one another are often so similar that only the colour of their shirt or scarf separates them.

"Same sort of home town, same sort of job, same sort of school, same obsession with the same sport."

Now I've taken the pin out, I'll step away...

Image source, PA

Manchester United's noisy neighbours have been in the headlines this week, on and off the pitch. The footballing equivalent to getting the best conservatory on the street, Manchester City unveiled a new, state-of-the-art training complex worth £200m.

However, United manager Louis van Gaal does not believe such facilities will guarantee that the Blues will be able to cherry-pick the best young players in the north west and beyond.

"The building is not so important, the accommodation is not so important, it's the philosophy and the staff that's important," the United manager said., external "Then comes of course the talent."

Former Manchester United defender Phil Neville
Football Focus

"Manchester United v Liverpool is the biggest game in the calendar. You win it for your supporters. United are playing well and Liverpool will be looking to climb up the league, so it is a massive game.

"After their win against Southampton on Monday, the way the United team celebrated, they believe they can still win the league. From my experience of being in title-winning teams, I can tell you, those players believe."

This morning we'd like to hear your stories about the most inspirational football coaches you've played under (see 10:12), as part of a collaboration with Get Inspired, a BBC initiative that aims to increase participation in sport.

Image source, @mrdavidduke

David Duke: Big thank you to the Street Soccer Scotland players who are now volunteers to deliver doorstep football to 14 sites in Scotland.

Terry Fay: My dad coached me and sent me off twice when he stepped in to ref the game. Learned how to tackle after that.

Tell us your tales using #BigThankYou, external on Twitter, send a text on 81111 (UK only), or post a comment on the BBC Sport Facebook, external or Google+ page., external

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal, speaking in the matchday programme: "I have experienced many important derby day matches. The most important thing is that you never get a red card in this type of match. The atmosphere in the stadium sometimes makes the players push harder. But players have to control their emotions in these circumstances. That is a big part of being a professional footballer."

BBC Radio 5 live

Burnley manager Sean Dyche suspects a trip to Old Trafford might not be the most daunting engagement for Liverpool right now.

"You might want a game like this because there is a strange sort of freedom there for the players," he said. "It might be tougher in a way coming to Turf Moor because the expectation would be there."

As for their ongoing troubles, Dyche believes their difficulties may be caused, in part, by trying to keep up with other clubs.

He explained: "Can Liverpool carry the super wage? Man City can. Chelsea can. Man United can. There's a mindset at those superpower clubs to pay at a different level and Liverpool. I don't think, are ready to pay to that."

This morning we'd like to hear your stories about the most inspirational football coaches you've played under (see 10:12), as part of a collaboration with Get Inspired, a BBC initiative that aims to increase participation in sport.

Matt Antos-Lewis: Played under the legendary Neil Baldwin (of 'Marvellous' fame) for his eponymous footy club. In every way a legend!

NRS: Big thank you to Danny Johnson for the work he puts in to manage Nantwich Town. Unlimited hours, going beyond the call of duty against the tide!

Chris Dickson: There aren't many coaches out there who don't deserve a big thank you. The basis of our game.

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Image source, AP

When will Mario Balotelli spring into life for Liverpool, if ever? He could return today following a groin injury, and he has the unwelcome record of having a league-high 35 shots without scoring this season. He scored twice in his only previous league appearance at Old Trafford in Manchester City's 6-1 victory in October 2011...