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Talking of Pogba...

The world's most expensive player and now the first footballer to get this own emoji.

Give it a go on Twitter using #Pogba.

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Emre Can getting one in early on Paul Pogba on the half way line, just letting the Manchester United man know he is there.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at Old Trafford

The teams came out to a deafening roar at Old Trafford - this is a game of huge significance, increased after Manchester City's loss at Everton.

Liverpool's fans are in buoyant mood in a corner of the stadium. There is a real sense of belief under Jurgen Klopp - but United's supporters are equally optimistic under Jose Mourinho.

This has the look, feel and sound of a big Premier League occasion.

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Today's referee Michael Oliver gets the biggest game in English domestic football under way.

Liverpool get the ball rolling.

There is a minute's applause before kick-off in the memory of former England manager Graham Taylor who died this week aged 72.

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Anyone else get the feeling this is the biggest game between Manchester United and Liverpool for a while? Could it be the clash that ultimately determines which side finishes in the top four? Are these two really still in the hunt for the Premier League title, as Paul Pogba suggests?

Send in your thoughts to #bbcfootball, external text in on 81111 (UK only) or post a comment on the Match of the Day Facebook page.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Plenty of Manchester United fans clearly following the thrashing Everton handed out to Manchester City judging by the cheers at Old Trafford as the goals flew in down the M62.

Teams out and warming up here for what is the biggest test of Manchester United's recent revival under Jose Mourinho - and he will know victory here will put them only two points behind Liverpool.

Jurgen Klopp was in bullish mood ahead of the game despite the EFL Cup semi-final first leg loss at Southampton.

He said: "Give me 11 players and we will be competitive," Liverpool will need to be.

Image source, Reuters

Here they come.

The players are out onto the pitch, greeted by chants of: "20 times, 20 times, Man United" from the home supporters.

In reference to the number of league titles the Old Trafford side have won, of course.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport at Old Trafford

On 1 December, the gap between Manchester City and Manchester United was 10 points.

Following the staggering result at Goodison Park, Jose Mourinho knows if his United side beat Liverpool at Old Trafford, they will be level on points with City for the first time since they lost to Pep Guardiola's men on 10 September.

It is a change of fortunes even United did not anticipate would happen quite so quickly.

Manchester City

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, speaking to Sky Sports: "We created enough chances in the first half to score. After what happened we were not able to score and they had one chance and scored. They scored straight after the second half and that is tough mentally for the players. 

"The consequence of the game is an example of many that has happened this season. It is football. In football you sometimes don't need to do many things to score. They arrive once and score a goal. It is not today it is almost all the season and it is tough for the players to handle that situation. 

"Of course we can do better. It is awful for my players. It is normal to live these kind of situations sometimes. 

"I said to the players be positive because they have made fantastic things in this season but didn't always get what we deserve. I think all managers can say this, though."

Alan Shearer
Ex-England captain on MOTD 2 Extra

Jurgen Klopp tried to give the players a break in the FA cup in the hope they had more energy at Southampton. They were lucky to get way just 1-0 down from that League Cup semi-final match. For the vast majority of the games, the energy and appetite they have shown. In alst totwo or three games they have not. He will want a reaction today. It will be a high scoring draw. There are goals in both teams and both defences do not give me confidence.

Wayne Rooney has been a fantastic player to have. He has the record for England and it is a matter of time before he gets the record at Manchester United - one of the biggest clubs in the world. He has been one hell of a player. It would be fitting if he got it today against their biggest rivals."

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Liverpool

Liverpool withdrew Joel Matip from their squad to face Manchester United on Sunday because they are unsure about his international clearance.

Matip, 25, was named in Cameroon's preliminary squad for this month's Africa Cup of Nations, but the defender said he did not want to play.

“That’s difficult to explain. In our understanding, Joel is officially retired from international football," Reds boss Jurgen Klopp told Sky Sports.

“The club did everything we had to do to make this clear but up until now we couldn’t get the response we need to be 100% sure he can play.

“It’s pretty difficult and really frustrating.

“He has been in training four or five days. He would have been in the squad 100%, maybe on the pitch today so I don’t think it’s fair but we cannot do more than waiting on the decision.

“We need to get an answer as quick as possible.”

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Liverpool

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp speaking to Sky Sports: "We all have – a few of us probably have  a few more – 14 muscles between the ribs and one of these hurts a lot. He (Clyne) got a knock at Southampton. 

"Clynie can nearly cope with everything so we all thought it will work out but yesterday in training he twisted it a little bit. We had to wait overnight and he said this morning ‘no chance’.

“It’s good, exciting (for Alexander-Arnold).

“I read the programme notes and it is the first time that there was nothing about welcome to Liverpool or something like this. That’s the first thing. 

"Then I wanted a coffee and in the can was only tea. It’s started already, yeah? It’s all OK. It’s football and we are ready for it.

"We know exactly what we have to do and that’s being brave and playing football, which is more than a lot of other teams  were doing in the last few matches against them.”

Manchester United

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho speaking to Sky Sports: "Everybody has to raise their level. With all the respect, Hull City is a good team but Liverpool is Liverpool.

"It is a big club and big team and we need to be at our best level if we want to win.

"When the game starts I don’t feel any difference but before matches, of course, yes. And, after matches, the meaning is a little bit different too so special matches.

"The world is watching so we have responsibilities in our performance but also in our behaviour.

"If they are fighting for the title, which I believe they are  they need a result. If they are fighting just for top four then no because they are in a better position than all of us behind.

"Probably, they think like we do and think just about the match individually. We don’t look to the table, we don’t think about other results, we just think about Manchester United against Liverpool and we want to win.

"I’d say to my guys don’t lose the identity that we built up in these last couple of months. We have to play the same way because this is the identity we want to develop."

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Dental Mental: How much longer will it take for people to just concede. John Stones really isn't very good at all. Such an average player 

Anthony: Wow, what a performance by Everton. Tom Davies a very good prospect, the next Dele Alli?

Hugh Marera: Ronald Koeman's #kicki-taka beats Pep Guardiola's #tiki-taka

Who's to blame for City's defensive mess? Pep? Bravo?

And what about Everton today?

Use #bbcfootball on Twitter or text us on 81111 (UK only) to give us your thoughts.

Everton boss Ronald Koeman, speaking to MOTD:  "You cannot plan a game like this. It is always difficult against City, they play great football but the second half was perfect in every aspect.

"We scored at the right time in the first half and then to score straight after half time made it very difficult for them.

"I think it is a big compliment to Everton today - the organisation defensively. It makes the final result and the way we played perfect. 

"Pep Guardiola knows it is a project at Manchester City. Of course maybe they expected better results and a defeat like this is really strong but Pep has the experience to turn it around. I don't doubt it."

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Something, anything to settle the anxiety, the empty feeling in the pit of your stomach.

Well, two defeats for Liverpool in the league this season, both while wearing their 'toxic thunder' kit. 

They are wearing the same luminous green colour today.

Yet for the visitors, midfielder Adam Lallana has been involved in 14 Premier League goals this season (seven goals, seven assists), which is more than any other English player.

Threat.

Mark Schwarzer
Former Middlesbrough and Fulham goalkeeper on MOTD 2 Extra

I don’t think it took Jose Mourinho so long to work out Paul Pogba’s best position, he tried to accomodate all the best players in the team. Now the change has been made the change, Pogba is in midfield and it is working well for them. 

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is scoring goals and leading from the front, he is leading from the front. Wherever he has been, he has stood up to the criticism. He is getting better and better.

Image source, Reuters

Alan Shearer
Ex-England captain on MOTD 2 Extra

Jose Mourinho has got his swagger back and the winning mentality. It was figuring out the best way to play all those players. He has found that. They were static earlier in the season, not so many runners for Zlatan Ibrahimovic and now everyone is pulling in the right direction. 

Old Trafford seems a happier place. Not only is Ibrahimovic’s movement better, he has runners in behind him. If you have that, it takes away one centre-back and he can handle the other on his own. If they were to win today, they will be two points behind Liverpool and that is a statement in itself.

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