Andrew Mitchell: Looking at United bringing in players from the cold and (apparently) abruptly changing shape it’s hard not to imagine a repeat of what happened at Old Trafford.

Manchester United

Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick, speaking to Sky Sports, on Cristiano Ronaldo's absence after the death of his baby boy: "Of course this is the worst that can happen. I'm the father of two sons myself so I'm fully aware what that means. We're all behind him and wish him and his family are strong together.

On his team selection: "We need the best possible talents of being stable defensively, always be in control and winning balls but also having threats in the transitional moments so that's why I decided on this formation."

On playing three centre-backs and picking Phil Jones ahead of Eric Bailly: "We were training like that yesterday and showed video analysis. It worked well yesterday in training and we will see if it works today.

"Since Raphael Varane is injured I had to decide between Jones and Bailly, I decided for Jones as an experienced player who talks to other players."

On Jadon Sancho starting as a substitute: "We have another game coming up on Saturday (at Arsenal) so decided to give him a rest, might come on from the bench."

On whether tonight is a must-win game: "I wouldn't say it is a must win, but it is important for us. The same is true for Liverpool."

Liverpool

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp speaking to Sky Sports: "We really want to go for it, we really want to give it a go. You have to go in each game as if it's the last you will ever play and that is what we try. Each team has there own reasons for being fully motivated."

On Manchester United's line-up: "The line-up has changed, the system has changed probably. It will be hard work for us obviously and that is what we have to be ready for. I expected it actually. I was not sure but he said in his press conference they had to bring more players behind the ball. They have big strength in counter-attacking so it makes sense. We have to see who can make the best of it."

On the title race: "We have to win all the games. That's crazy. But the good thing is we don't have to win them all at once - only this one. It's Manchester United, it's a derby and nobody feels tired before these kind of games."

Image source, BBC Sport

• Liverpool are looking to complete a league double over Manchester United for the first time since 2013-14, while they last won three in a row against the Red Devils between September 2008 and October 2009.
• Manchester United are winless in their last five away league games against Liverpool (D3 L2), netting just one goal in these matches. They last had a longer run without an away league win against the Reds between September 1970 and December 1979 (D2 L7).
• Mohamed Salah has scored seven goals in his last five games against United in all competitions, including a hat-trick at Old Trafford in the reverse fixture this season. In the Reds’ history, only Steven Gerrard (9) has netted more against the Red Devils for the club.
• Cristiano Ronaldo has been on the winning side 23 times in the last 24 Premier League games in which he’s scored, including each of the last 12. The only exception in that run was a 4-1 defeat against Liverpool in March 2009.

Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock says he can't see anything other than a win for Jurgen Klopp's side against Manchester United at Anfield tonight.

He told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast: "I think it will be a good game. The rivalry between the two clubs is huge.

"You look at the two clubs and Liverpool are obviously the form team. United are all over the place at the moment. They can’t string results together and they can’t put performances together. They will always make it tough, coming to Anfield, but I don’t see anything but a Liverpool victory tonight, just because of the way they have been playing of late.

"The one thing that Liverpool won’t be at the moment is complacent. They can’t be because of what’s ahead of them. It’s about putting pressure on Manchester City, because they play Brighton tomorrow and they will be hoping that they can do them a favour and hoping that City slip up along the way.

"Arguably at the minute all they are missing is a Mohamed Salah goal, and how often do we say that with the form he has been in? Tonight could be the night that he finally gets a goal."

That's the warm-up done for both sets of players.

Jurgen Klopp spent a decent amount of time watching the United players with laser-like focus.

There's a banner currently working its way around the ground proclaiming Liverpool's 19 titles and paying tribute to the 97 who lost their lives at Hillsborough.

The atmosphere is cranking up very nicely.

Image source, Getty Images

• Liverpool are unbeaten in seven Premier League meetings with Manchester United (W4, D3).
• The Red Devils have failed to score in four of their past five top-flight trips to Anfield, with three of those matches finishing 0-0.
• United's last away goal in this fixture was scored by Jesse Lingard in a 3-1 defeat in December 2018.

I say this with all due respect to your allegiances Josh, but I hope you're very wrong about that scoreline, for the sake of every neutral.

Josh Hammond: United fan here. Usually I'm pretty optimistic about games despite poor form. But this Liverpool team (and it pains me to say this) is damn near unstoppable. I'd settle for a boring 0-0 but I don't think that's going to happen.

Image source, Getty Images

That back three of United's is going to have to be switched on today. They're currently involved in a bit of heading practice.

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and Manchester United interim boss Ralf Rangnick face each other for the first time outside of Germany tonight.

The Reds host United at Anfield knowing a victory or draw will put them temporarily top of the Premier League, with leaders Manchester City not playing until Wednesday.

Klopp, who credits compatriot Rangnick as a key influence in his early career in management, said their friendship has been "on hold" since the former Schalke and RB Leipzig boss arrived at Old Trafford in November.

"We didn't have contact since he has been in England at United - due to respect," said Klopp.

"I respect everything he did during his career, to be honest. Incredible jobs, wherever he was."

For Rangnick, whose United side are three points behind fourth-placed Tottenham after beating Norwich at the weekend, Klopp's success at Anfield since taking charge in October 2015 comes as no surprise.

He said: "The same happened at other clubs, at Borussia Dortmund and Mainz.

"[Klopp] developed all those clubs on a different kind of level. He is one of the best, if not the best coach.

"It is no coincidence what has happened. They brought in the right players and got rid of the right players. That is why they are where they are."

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at Anfield

Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangick hardly sounded like someone bursting with confidence looking ahead to this game and there may still be some scars left from the 5-0 mauling Liverpool inflicted at Old Trafford - albeit under another manager.

The defeat was one of the final days of misery for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who was later sacked and replaced by Rangnick. Now the German must find a way to cause problems for countryman Jrgen Klopp as Liverpool seek an historic quadruple.

Image source, Getty Images

Look away now Manchester United fans if you don't want to be reminded of what happened the last time you played Liverpool in the Premier League.

It was way back in October, with the league season only eight games old when Jurgen Klopp's side would rock up at Old Trafford.

They would leave having utterly thrashed the Red Devils, heaping a boat load more pressure on then manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The writing was on the wall in the fifth minute when Naby Keita opened the scoring. Diogo Jota added a second in the 13th minute before Mohamed Salah took over, adding three more goals.

To chuck a load of salt in the wound, Paul Pogba was sent off on the hour, leaving Old Trafford to suffer 30 minutes as the away side sauntered to victory as the visiting fans taunted them from the stands.

It would be fair to say they arrive here with a score to settle. Easier said than done, though.

BBC Radio 5 Live

Former Manchester United defender John O'Shea speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "Liverpool's attacking force is formidable. We were never exactly over-confident going to Anfield. It was always a tough place to go to and tonight will be no different.

"Nobody seems to want it [fourth place] at the moment. It's a big test for United tonight and they need at least a point if they are serious about fourth place.

"They will have to be on top of things at the back tonight. I could see them going with a back five but let's wait and see."

On the summer transfer window and the potential appointment of Erik ten Hag as manager: "The competition has increased all over and recruitment is getting harder and harder. You have to be clever. It won't be done in one season. Hopefully they will give him [Ten Hag] that time and they can slowly close the gap to the teams at the top."

On the planned applause for Cristiano Ronaldo and partner Georgina Rodriguez following the loss of their son: "It is obviously a terrible tragedy. The football community will always puts rivalries aside for things like that."

It looks as though Man Utd have already decided on who will be their next boss, with Ajax's Erik Ten Hag set to be appointed, possibly as early as tomorrow.

Rangnick doesn't think it will take 30 years for the Red Devils to be challenging again for the league. It has already been nearly a decade since their last title, so how many more years do you think it will take before they're a credible challenger again?

Manchester United will not repeat rival Liverpool's 30-year spell without a league title but must improve their recruitment to challenge, says interim manager Ralf Rangnick.

United, who have not won the Premier League since 2013, travel to Anfield as rank outsiders on Tuesday.

While Liverpool are chasing an unprecedented quadruple, United's only challenge is to finish in the top four.

"There needs to be a rebuild for the future," Rangnick said.

"I suppose this [30 years without a title] will not happen because it is pretty obvious what needs to change.

"If you know what you are looking for it will take two or three windows," said Rangnick, who was appointed as United's interim manager in November.

"If you don't know what you are looking for it is a needle in a haystack.

"If you know what kind of football you want to play and what kind of profiles you want for each individual position, then it is about finding the players and convincing them to come."