Sam Allardyce makes controversial Liverpool FC and Manchester United treble winners comparison

Sportsmail picks out a combined XI from both sides out of the players available for this epic showdown at Anfield. FORMATION: 4-3-3GOALKEEPER: AlissonWe've seen an improvement from United's David de Gea this season after coming under fire last year, but you would have to back Liverpool's Alisson - who still looks the most solid option between the sticks.

straight to your inbox every day for freeLiverpool legend Jamie Carragher believes Jurgen Klopp's side should learn from Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson.United face off against Liverpool in a first-vs-third clash this afternoon, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side holding a three-point advantage over the champions heading into the game.

straight to your inbox every day for freeManchester United travel to Merseyside today in a top-of-the-table clash live on Sky Sports. While we're still in the preliminary stages of this season's title race, a win from United would be rightly considered as a serious statement of intent.

straight to your inbox every day for freeManchester United fans have named their ideal starting line-up to face Liverpool this afternoon.The Reds make the short trip to Anfield to face their fierce rivals sat three points above of them at the top of the Premier League table.It is undoubtedly a big game in normal circumstances but the finely-poised table has meant the derby has taken on an added significance.There is plenty of debate over how Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should take to the field, with

United have been excellent away from home this season, winning 11 of their last 12 away league games, but Jurgen Klopp's side haven't lost a league game at home for 46 matches, a record that stretches back to April 2017.Facundo Pellistri, Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo will again miss out for United, but Anthony Martial and Victor Lindelof are likely to feature, but could have to settle for a place on the bench due to Edinson Cavani and Eric Bailly's strong recent form.So, what line up will

straight to your inbox every day for freeManchester United fans have sent messages of support to Amad Diallo ahead of a potential but perhaps unlikely debut against Liverpool.Diallo completed his long-awaited move to Old Trafford at the start of the month, joining from Atalanta for an initial £18million which could rise to £37m.United fans were finally given a glimpse of the youngster in action during his first training session at Carrington on Thursday.Ole Gunnar Solskjaer also added promising

straight to your inbox every day for freeFormer Liverpool defender John Arne Riise has identified the match where Alan Smith broke his ankle as his worst memory against Manchester United.The two title rivals lock horns this weekend and, ahead of the fixture, Riise has spoken about his memories - which include the horrific injury sustained by the former United man.Smith was left with an injury that would continue to cause problems with him beyond the end of his career and Riise has spoken about

straight to your inbox every day for freeFormer Liverpool midfielder Jason McAteer believes Manchester United are in a "false" position at the top of the Premier League table and believes the fight for the title will be between his former club and Manchester City.Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 's side lead the Reds by three points heading into Sunday's crucial match at Anfield.

straight to your inbox every day for freeFormer Liverpool defender John Arne Riise has admitted he has changed his assessment of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer following Manchester United's recent improvements.United moved top of the Premier League following the midweek victory over Burnley at Turf Moor, standing three-points above Liverpool ahead of this weekend's huge clash at Anfield.

direct to your inboxPhil Foden believes Manchester City are back to their best as they look to mount a Premier League title challenge this season.Foden scored the only goal of the game as Pep Guardiola's side beat Brighton & Hove Albion 1-0 in Wednesday evening's clash at the Etihad Stadium.

straight to your inbox every day for freeManchester United fans have named Eric Bailly as a new undroppable player ahead of Sunday's match against Liverpool.United reached the summit of the Premier League on Tuesday as their 1-0 victory over Burnley took them three points ahead of the reigning champions Liverpool.The result has set up a tantalising match-up between the division's top two sides, the result of which could have massive ramifications for the rest of the season.The importance of the

straight to your inbox every day for freeManchester United fans are enjoying a good laugh at the expense of Leeds United after the Yorkshire side were dumped out of the FA Cup by Crawley Town. The FA Cup third round, which sees Premier League sides enter the competition, has been played this weekend and, while United successfully navigated past Watford with a 1-0 win, there have been plenty of upsets so far.

straight to your inbox every day for freeOle Gunnar Solskjaer admitted Manchester United missed Edinson Cavani's 'havoc' in their Carabao Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester City.Cavani served the second of his three-match suspension for an Instagram post deemed offensive in some contexts in the 2-0 loss that marked United's fourth successive semi-final defeat.John Stones pounced to put City ahead in the 50th minute but Solskjaer did not make a substitution until Mason Greenwood was introduced

straight to your inbox every day for freeManchester United fans have ridiculed Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp after his comments on refereeing decisions in the wake of their defeat against Southampton.Liverpool's poor form has given United the opportunity to overtake the reigning Premier League champions by winning their game in hand against Burnley.United were victorious last time out thanks to a Bruno Fernandes penalty after Paul Pogba was fouled in the box by Douglas Luiz.

straight to your inboxManchester City have sent a clear Premier League title reminder to worry their rivals, says Match of the Day pundit Danny Murphy. Pep Guardiola's side swept aside Chelsea 3-1 at Stamford Bridge on Sunday with an impressive performance that lifted them up to fifth in the table - four points behind leaders Liverpool and Manchester United, with a game in hand.Murphy was in no doubt that it was City's best performance of the campaign to date.

straight to your inbox every day for freeLiverpool midfielder James Milner has recognised the threat posed by Manchester United in this season's Premier League title chase. Jurgen Klopp's reigning champions ended 2020 on top of the table - but only three points behind second-placed United.

straight to your inbox every day for free Bruno Fernandes says Eric Bailly was his Man of the Match for his impressive performance against Wolves on Tuesday night. The Ivorian shone alongside Harry Maguire for Manchester United in the heart of defence during their 1-0 win against Nuno Espirito Santo's side at Old Trafford.

straight to your inbox every day for freeManchester United Ole Gunnar Solskjaer disagrees with West Brom manager Sam Allardyce that there should be a break in the English football season following outbreaks of coronavirus cases.Manchester City requested to postpone their Monday night fixture at Everton and Newcastle's game at Aston Villa that was scheduled for the start of the month was also postponed.