Manchester United vs Liverpool live from Old Trafford on Sky Sports Premier League from 1pm on Sunday
Thursday 21 February 2019 06:11, UK
From Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford's flourishing partnership to Mohamed Salah's imminent record, we pick five stats ahead of the blockbuster fixture this weekend.
Super Sunday pits the two most successful clubs in English football history against each other, with local rivalry, a title challenge and Champions League places all at stake - there are intriguing subplots everywhere you look.
Liverpool are two places higher in the Premier League table, but historically, United are two league titles better off - they have lifted the trophy 13 times since Liverpool were last champions 29 years ago.
In fact, Liverpool have only finished above their rivals four times since that last title win.
Standing 14 points better off than United, the Merseysiders are on course to finish above their rivals for the third time in the last six seasons, having previously only done so once in Premier League history.
Jurgen Klopp is also on course to become the first Liverpool manager to finish above Manchester United more than once since Kenny Dalglish.
Liverpool ran out 3-1 winners at Anfield in December - it was their first win over United from nine attempts in the Premier League, and it also spelled the end for Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford - he was sacked two days later.
Since then, United have been in resurgent form under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - being the only unbeaten Premier League team since his appointment and the top team for points, wins and for the fewest goals conceded.
David de Gea's performances have contributed significantly towards that success - saving 84 per cent of shots faced under Solskjaer - effectively saving five expected goals, according to Opta's xG statistics.
In the same period, Alisson has a save ratio of 64 per cent for Liverpool.
At the other end of the pitch, Liverpool will be hoping their front three of Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah can add to the 38 Premier League goals they have chalked up between them this season.
However, since Salah's arrival at the start of last season, he, Firmino and Mane have only one goal or assist between them against United - that was Mane's goal at Anfield in December.
In terms of goal involvements, that is all they have to show in eight appearances combined against United, totalling just under 700 minutes of action.
Using the same figures, the trio's favourite opponents are Watford - who they face at home next Wednesday.
In particular, Salah will want to get on the scoresheet on Sunday: it would make him the fastest player in Premier League history to reach 50 goals for a single club - reaching the feat in just 63 league appearances.
Should he clock up his 50th goal on Sunday, he would break Alan Shearer's all-time Premier League record of reaching 50 goals for Blackburn in 66 appearances.
Liverpool's previous fastest to 50 was Fernando Torres, who reached the landmark after 72 games in 2009.
United's major goal threats in recent weeks have been Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford with 14 goals between them in Solskjaer's nine Premier League games in charge - but they also seem to have struck up quite an understanding.
In eight Premier League starts together under the Norwegian, the pair have created 12 chances for one another - that's compared to only two in 11 games under Mourinho this season.
Rashford has assisted one goal for Pogba under Solskjaer, while Pogba has returned the favour twice - Rashford's goals in the 1-0 wins away to Tottenham and Leicester.
With so much to play for on Sunday, could their developing partnership be a deciding factor again?
Or can Liverpool's front three finally find their scoring form against United? Find out on Super Sunday - live and exclusive from Old Trafford - with coverage starting on Sky Sports Premier League at 1pm.
