Man Utd vs Liverpool: 5 Key Battles That Will Decide The Game

4. Michael Carrick vs Steven Gerrard

Like most battles on this list, this one depends entirely on each manager's tactics and selections, and Steven Gerrard could retain his place at the heart of Liverpool's midfield going into this clash. With injury to the influential Philippe Coutinho, the Red's midfield is going to need some bite in the attacking areas and Gerrard could be just the player to provide that, if he gets the nod over the likes of Luis Alberto, who has made just one start this season. It will be up to Gerrard to control the tempo of the game and pull the strings from midfield so that Daniel Sturridge and (maybe) Luis Suarez can play their game effectively. And his counterpart Michael Carrick will be given an equal task at Old Trafford, and will have a point to prove after both he and Marouane Fellaini were hopelessly overrun by Yaya Toure and Jesus Navas at the weekend. Liverpool enjoyed vast swathes of possession when these sides last met and United struggled to get into the game - it will be up to Carrick and his midfield cohorts to ensure the same does not happen twice.