The 3 key battles as Manchester United host Liverpool in the Premier League

Philippe Coutinho vs Antonio Valencia

Should Philippe Coutinho be fit enough to start, he’ll likely slot in on the left-hand-side of the Liverpool front three, which means that he’ll be monitored by United’s right-back Antonio Valencia.

Liverpool’s Coutinho returned from injury in their defeat at Southampton in midweek and, although he was clearly lacking a bit of match sharpness, he still made a difference in the final third and looked a goal-threat.

A few more days training and preparing for Sunday could see the Brazilian international return to the starting line-up, which means that Valencia, who has improved notably as a defender over the last few months, will have a busy afternoon.

The Ecuadorian international’s defensive work has been praised by many this season, and he’ll have to be at his best to thwart and frustrate Coutinho.

It will be up to Valencia to stop Coutinho cutting inside, something he likes to do, and getting the shot off, while the United man will also have to curb his attacking instincts somewhat, as Coutinho can be devastatingly good on the counter attack.