Manchester United v Liverpool: Live matchday blog
Liverpool were beaten 2-1 by Manchester United at Old Trafford. Marcus Rashford's two first-half strikes did the damage, although Eric Bailly's own-goal gave the Reds hope in the second period.
Jürgen Klopp's verdict
The manager addressed journalists in his post-match press conference at Old Trafford and admitted the two early goals they conceded utlimately cost his side any hope of taking something from the game.
Read the thoughts of Klopp by clicking here.
Full Time
It's all over at Old Trafford and Liverpool go down to a 2-1 defeat to Manchester United.
Marcus Rashford struck twice inside the opening 24 minutes for the hosts to give them a two-lead at the break.
The Reds dominanted the second half and the deficit was reduced by Eric Bailly's own-goal, but the visitors couldn't muster a leveller.
The ball drops for Salah inside the area at a corner, but he can't connect properly and scoops it high over the bar.
That could be the final chance for the Reds.
Six minutes of added time to be played.
Wijnaldum shoots from the edge of the box, blocked by Smalling.
Yellow Card
Valencia goes into the book for a high foot on Mane.
Substitution
Lingard on for Mata.
Substitution
Liverpool's last change - Robertson off, Solanke on.
Firmino lays it off for Mane, who collides with Fellani and both players go to ground. Play is waved on.
Substitution
Wijnaldum on for Alexander-Arnold
Liverpool pushing hard for the leveller now. Will they find it?
Substitution
United take off Rashford and Fellaini comes on in his place.
Goal
Goal for Liverpool - Bailly OG
The Reds are back in the game as Mane speeds beyond McTominay down the left and crosses into the middle, where Bailly inadvertantly turns the ball into his own goal.
2-1 at Old Trafford now.
Milner slices over the bar from the edge of the area after some nice build-up play from Liverpool.
Substitution
Liverpool make a change as Lallana comes on for Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Mane almost bundles his way through inside the box, but he's eventually crowded out.
Liverpool want a penalty as they claim Robertson's cross is handballed by Valencia in the box, but the referee waves play on.
The visitors have made a bright start to the second half.
Salah makes two runs in behind in quick succession, but the Reds can't fashion an opening for the No.11.
Van Dijk meets a corner from Salah and loops a header onto the roof of De Gea's net.
Kick-Off
Liverpool re-start the game at Old Trafford. Big second half ahead.
The first half in numbers...
Half Time
Marcus Rashford's two goals have given Liverpool much to do if they're to salvage something here at Old Trafford.
Lovren meets Milner's corner at the near post and heads well over under pressure.
Robertson finally breaks into space down the left. His fires in a low cross, but Young manages to hook it clear.
Chance
It should be 3-0 and United afford Liverpool a huge let-off as Sanchez crosses for Mata, who is completely unmarked six yards out, but his attempted scissor-kick goes wide.
Yellow Card
Oxlade-Chamberlain is booked for pulling back McTominay.
Now Firmino side-steps into space 20 yards out and strikes goalwards. Again, it's too close to De Gea.
Firmino makes space for a shot on the right corner of the United box... straight at De Gea.
Yellow Card
Now Rashford goes into the book for a late challenge on Milner.
Goal
Goal for Manchester United - Marcus Rashford
United double their lead as Rashford pounces on a loose ball inside the box after Van Dijk had challenged Mata. The forward finds the net via a deflection off Alexander-Arnold.
Chance
Van Dijk stoops to meet Milner's corner with his head from six yards out, but guides the ball wide.
Oxlade-Chamberlain almost slides Firmino through on goal - Valencia recovers to turn the ball behind for a corner.
Firmino keeps a free-kick in play on the left and crosses back into the area, but it's just a touch too high for Mane to prevent him from nodding in at the back post.
Goal
Goal for Manchester United - Marcus Rashford
The hosts take the lead with the game's first attempt on goal as Rashford steals in behind Alexander-Arnold from Lukaku's flick on from De Gea's goal kick.
The striker turns back inside before bending the ball beyond the reach of Karius.
Liverpool win the game's first corner after a mix-up in the United defence, but Salah's delivery is over everyone in the middle and goes out for a goal kick on the far side.
Not much to report so far from Old Trafford - Liverpool are seeing most of the ball, but neither side are yet to create an opportunity.
The away section inside Old Trafford is in fine voice with 'We're Never Gonna Stop' booming out on repeat.
Allez, allez, allez...
Kick-Off
And we're off...
Manchester United start the game at Old Trafford. Come on you Reds!
The teams are out... We're not far away now...
A reminder of the line-ups...
Behind enemy lines
A peep inside the away dressing room ahead of the players' arrival.
The Reds arrive
The gaffer, Mo and Sadio lead the charge at Old Trafford.
TEAM NEWS
The teamsheet has landed and it confirms five changes for Liverpool at Old Trafford.
Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andy Robertson and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain return.
James Milner skippers the side.
Liverpool: Karius, Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Van Dijk, Robertson, Milner, Can, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mane, Salah, Firmino.
Subs: Mignolet, Wijnaldum, Gomez, Henderson, Lallana, Solanke, Matip.
Gillespie's verdict
Ex-Red Gary Gillespie is on co-commentary duty for Liverpoolfc.com today - but before he dons the headset, we asked him for his pre-match take...
“I think the result today will go a long way to settling second place," he told us. "It’s always a massive game when Liverpool play Manchester United with the history of the two clubs, perhaps this season even more so.
"It’s vitally important that we come away with something today. You wouldn’t want United to be five points clear after this game because it would give ourselves a mountain to climb.
"They have obviously got a big game in Europe to come in midweek. We are already through to the last eight and United will want to try and emulate that. It all makes for a fantastic game and let’s hope it’s a bit of a spectacle.”
Loris on duty
Pre-match media responsibilities for the Reds' goalkeeper.
The final touches at Old Trafford. Not long to go now!
We'll have the confirmed team news from both dressing rooms for you at 11.30am GMT...
A reminder of the current situation in the Premier League top four...
A good omen?
Liverpool beat United on this day in 2016, a 2-0 victory at Anfield setting Klopp's men up for an aggregate triumph over their rivals in the Europa League.
In general, March 10 has been a memorable date for the Reds in recent history. Real Madrid were thrashed 4-0 in 2009, while the second 4-3 classic with Newcastle United occurred in 1997.
The stage is set...
Mourinho's message
The United boss has no intention of giving up second place to the Reds without a fight.
He writes in his programme notes: "We face a very good team today, so we know this will not be easy. Fixtures between Manchester United and Liverpool are never easy, and the second, third and fourth spots in the Premier League table are very tight, so every point counts.
"They will want to overtake us and we know that, but we are currently second and we are determined to stay there. We have a great feeling in the squad at the moment, particularly after the way we won in the last few seconds at Selhurst Park on Monday night, and we want to keep it that way."
What are the odds?
Here's how BetVictor price up the match...
Manchester United - 2/1
Draw - 23/10
Liverpool - 31/20
Click here if you fancy a flutter.
The programme
A vintage-style front cover of today's programme at Old Trafford...
Confident Virgil
Liverpool's No.4 has no fears ahead of a maiden trip to Old Trafford as a Liverpool player, as he revealed in conversation with Dejan Lovren earlier this week.
“I’ve not been here for long, but I feel like we can beat anyone,” he said.
“It’s going to be a very tough game going there, and they have so much quality – but we do as well. It’s going to be a very interesting game.
“I’m looking forward to it a lot.”
In pictures
There have been some classic encounters between Liverpool and Manchester United down the years and - fortunately - plenty of talented photographers on hand to capture the best moments.
Like this one, for example.
Want more like these? Click here to browse a brilliant gallery of shots.
Salah set for 'special' game
Mo Salah knows the importance of this fixture but the 32-goal Liverpool forward wants his team to approach the clash with one objective at the front and centre of their minds...
"We have confidence we can play like it's a normal game," said the Egyptian, who has collected the LFC and Premier League Player of the Month prizes for February this week.
"It's important of course but in the end our target is just one target: we need to win the game and come back with the three points."
Dejan and Virgil in conversation
Dejan Lovren and Virgil van Dijk joined forces for a special preview of today's game at Melwood this week, giving their takes on what to expect at Old Trafford in a joint interview for LFCTV GO subscribers.
Watch the chat below. Click here for details on signing up now.
Weather
A huge match warrants - nay, demands - a prompt and accurate weather update.
And we are only too happy to oblige. Our people in the know inform us that the temperature in Manchester will be around 13 degrees come kick-off, but with rain expected too it would be wise to wrap up if you are travelling to the game.
Tale of the tape
Take a look at the facts and figures for each side in the Premier League this season with our comprehensive Opta tool below. It has everything* you could possibly need.
*Probably not everything
Stat attack
- Henderson could play his 200th Premier League game for Liverpool
- Klopp's record v Jose Mourinho: won three, drawn four, lost one
- The Reds' last two wins at Old Trafford have come in March (2009 and 2014)
- The past four meetings between the sides have been drawn
See everything the boss had to say ahead of the big game in the video of his entire press conference below.
Klopp says...
"It's the biggest game I can imagine," stated the manager at his pre-match press conference.
"I'm really looking forward to it but how it always is in these games, they are difficult as well. We need to be at 100 per cent, if not a few more, to get something there - but of course, that's the plan."
He continued: "I don't think there will be a lot of space in a lot of moments, I think it will be a big fight - how derbies are in general, how these games were in general, but hopefully at the end a positive result for us."
Team news
So, what do we know?
Liverpool have been boosted by the availability of Jordan Henderson, Andy Robertson and Georginio Wijnaldum. The game comes too soon for Nathaniel Clyne, though.
United expect to have Eric Bailly and Marouane Fellaini at their disposal, but Anthony Martial is likely to miss out through injury.
Remember these?
Here's something to put you very much at ease - 10 of the Reds' best goals at Old Trafford in the Premier League era. Enjoy them all below...
Welcome
How are your nerves?
Follow all of the action at Old Trafford as Liverpool and Manchester United lock horns for the 200th time, with our updates on the much-anticipated Premier League clash.
We'll have team news, quotes, interviews, photos, stats, live action, reaction and more right here - stick with us, if you can bear the tension.