Liverpool versus Manchester United and all the fiery history that goes with it is just the game to blow away the cobwebs after the international break and herald the return of the Premier League. Some cynics may even suggest it's the perfect showpiece upon which Reds managing director Ian Ayre might like to hang a controversial proposal to break away from the league's collective TV bargaining deal in order to go rogue and land bundles of lovely foreign lucre. But we digress. Back to the football.
United head into the Saturday's early kick-off at Anfield in a position of strength, six points clear of fifth place Liverpool and top of the league, having made one of their best ever starts to a season. But United's recent performances have not been as convincing as at the beginning of the campaign and questions are beginning to be asked of a relatively inexperienced back line that, although they have conceded just five goals this season, have allowed 97 shots on David de Gea's goal, the most of any club in the division. Newly capped England international Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans have filled in admirably in the absence of centre-back pairing Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, but have started to look somewhat shaky of late and United will need an experienced head at the back when they travel to Anfield, a venue where they last avoided a defeat in 2007, courtesy of a Carlos Tevez strike in 1-0 win.
A good time then to welcome back captain Vidic, who has finally recovered from the calf injury he suffered against West Brom in United's opening match of the season and is back in contention for a starting berth following a run out with Serbia on Tuesday. Vidic, 29, will bring added maturity and leadership to a defence that is sure to be severely tested by the dual threat of leading-scorerLuis Suarez and the physicality of Andy Carroll. That is, of course, if Vidic manages to stay on the pitch.
The Serbian defender has famously been sent off on three consecutive occasions against the Reds, although his last dismissal came in 2009 and his tormentor in chief, Fernando Torres, now wears the blue of Chelsea. Vidic was absent when the central defensive partnership of Wes Brown (now at Sunderland) and Smalling shipped three goals in last season's humbling 3-1 defeat at Anfield but was present in United's 3-2 victory at Old Trafford, even managing to put the shackles on Torres.
It was Steven Gerrard who popped up to score both of Liverpool's goals in that particular Premier League clash and the Reds skipper is set to make a timely return to the starting line-up on Saturday. The 31-year-old is slowly recovering from the groin operation he underwent in April and having featured as a substitute in Liverpool's last three games is ready to take his place in the team following a rest during the international break.
The last time Gerrard started a game for Kenny Dalglish's side was the aforementioned 3-1 win over United in March. The returning captain, who has scored five goals against United down the years, remains a truly talismanic figure and will give Liverpool, who head into the match already high in confidence following back to back victories over Wolves and Everton, a further boost.
Dalglish's biggest headache will be how to squeeze Gerrard into an overstocked midfield that was further boosted by the arrival of £20 million Stewart Downing, £16 million Jordan Henderson and £9 million Charlie Adam over the summer. Gerrard replaced Adam in the Merseyside derby and the Scotsman could once again be the victim, unless the manager opts to revert to a five-man midfield and ditch the 4-4-2 that has brought maximum points from the last two games.
Manchester United have also gone with a 4-4-2 in their three away matches in the Premier League this season, with Anderson and Tom Cleverley the preferred partnership in central midfield before the latter injured his foot against Bolton in September. However, Cleverley, who recently signed a new deal with the English champions, could make an early comeback at Anfield.
Liverpool player to watch: Dirk Kuyt. The Dutchman was restored to the Liverpool side in place of Jordan Henderson against Everton and, despite missing a penalty, excelled in the 2-0 derby victory at Goodison Park. Kuyt is Liverpool's equivalent of United's Ji-Sung Park in that he is not usually the most spectacular player on the pitch but is always dependable. However, Kuyt did score a hat-trick, his first for Liverpool, the last time United visited to Anfield and he's clearly a man for the big occasion.
Manchester United player to watch: Wayne Rooney. The England striker was sent off against Montenegro last Friday, leading to accusations that he wasn't in the right frame of mind to play in the Euro 2012 qualifier following the arrest of his father the day before by police investigating a football betting scam. However, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has defended the former Everton striker's temperament and is confident he is ready for another tough test at Anfield. The Premier League's leading goalscorer possesses undoubted quality and if he can rise above the inevitable taunts could well add to his nine-goal tally for the season.
Key Battle: Jose Enrique v Nani. Liverpool's new left back has started all seven Premier League games this season, earning a man of the match performance against Arsenal and turned provider for Suarez and Carroll against Wolves and Everton respectively, but it will be his defensive qualities that are put to the test Nani. United's pacy winger has enjoyed a prolific start to the season with three goals and three assists in seven games and will be one of the main threats at Anfield.
Trivia: After three home games this season Liverpool remain unbeaten at Anfield, with two wins and a draw, while Manchester United have exactly the same record away from home.
Stats: Manchester United have the best shot conversion rate in the Premier League this season at 26%.
Odds: Liverpool (3.00), Manchester United (2.40) and the draw (3.25) are all available at Bet365 but given that both teams are evenly matched and could be rusty after the international break there could be real value in 0-0 halftime, 1-1 fulltime at 14.00.
Prediction: Only one of the last four matches between these two rivals has been won by more than a single goal and this game should be another close one. It would not be a surprise is they shared the points.