The Reds know that victory will take them back to the top of the table, while they are also currently on their joint-longest unbeaten run in the Premier League era and so could make another slice of history this weekend.

However, for all of their success this season it is now eight matches since they beat United in the league and Jose Mourinho would relish the chance to dent Liverpool's title hopes in their own back yard.

Here, Sports Mole selects its combined XI from the two squads, using only players available for this weekend's clash.

Liverpool go into this match sitting 16 points clear of their opponents in the table, so it is no surprise to see Jurgen Klopp's side dominate this XI.

Arguably the most contentious position is the goalkeeper, where there is intense competition between David de Gea and Alisson Becker. De Gea has for some time been an almost automatic pick having been United's outstanding performer of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, but this season Alisson has outperformed the Spaniard and played a huge role in turning Liverpool into title contenders.

At the back the main headache comes from injuries, but a clean sheet for Liverpool would see them set a new English top-flight record for fewest goals conceded after 17 games, whereas United are already only two goals short of the entire total they conceded last season.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is a doubt for this match but has an outside chance of featuring and so beats Ashley Young to a place at right-back, while even the much-maligned Dejan Lovren earns a spot above any of the United centre-backs in the absence of the injured Joe Gomez.

Virgil van Dijk's presence has transformed Liverpool into a fearsome defensive outfit, while Andrew Robertson completes an all-Liverpool back five ahead of Luke Shaw, who is a doubt for the game.

United's sole representative in the team comes in midfield as Paul Pogba narrowly beats the likes of Naby Keita, Jordan Henderson and Fabinho to a place alongside Georginio Wijnaldum and the evergreen James Milner in the trio.

Liverpool's front three have not won the plaudits they did last season so far this term, but United's own attackers have struggled to an even greater extent and so it is a fairly easy choice for Liverpool to enjoy a clean sweep in attack too.

Mohamed Salah has scored the first goal in a game on a league-high seven occasions this term - not to mention an unparalleled six winners - while Roberto Firmino's patchy form is still enough to earn a place ahead of Romelu Lukaku and Sadio Mane edges out Anthony Martial.