There may be a sizeable gap between the two in the Premier League table, but all that will count for naught when Manchester United host Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.
Sir Alex Ferguson's men are on track for a 19th league title, and their Merseyside foes will be desperate to prevent that in any way they can as they look to maintain their status as England's most successful club.
And while Rafael Benitez and his charges have had precious little to smile about this season, they know that they are capable of not only beating, but humiliating their North West rivals.
Indeed, United have lost each of their last three encounters with Liverpool, the lowest of the lowlights being a 4-1 drubbing at Old Trafford this time last year.
That clash was a genuine title fight in and of itself, with the result launching the Scousers back into contention - although they would eventually fall four points short of their noisy neighbours.
That element is altogether absent from this clash, with 'Pool battling just to stay in the hunt for Champions League qualification while United sit top of the table.
But while their goals may differ now, the gap in points tallies doesn't diminish the fact that this the biggest and most fiercely fought fixture on the English calendar.
And it may be difficult to tell the home and away fans apart, given their shared fondness for banners adorned with the phrase 'YANKS OUT!'...
FORM GUIDE
Manchester United
Mar 14: Man United 3-0 Fulham (Premier League)
Mar 10: Man United 4-0 Milan (Champions League)
Mar 6: Wolverhampton 0-1 Man United (Premier League)
Feb 28: Aston Villa 1-2 Man United (League Cup)
Feb 23: Man United 3-0 West Ham (Premier League)
Liverpool
Mar 18: Liverpool 3-0 Lille (Europa League)
Mar 15: Liverpool 4-1 Portsmouth (Premier League)
Mar 11: Lille 1-0 Liverpool (Europa League)
Mar 8: Wigan 1-0 Liverpool (Premier League)
Feb 28: Liverpool 2-1 Blackburn (Premier League)
TEAM NEWS
Manchester United
Ryan Giggs will be available for selection after missing the Red Devils' last seven games with a broken arm. Jonny Evans and Rafael da Silva have also returned to training.
The travelling supporters will be denied the opportunity to heap scorn upon Michael Owen, as a hamstring injury means the former Kop favourite will play no further part this season.
Anderson, Wes Brown, Owen Hargreaves and John O'Shea are also sidelined.
Last starting XI (vs. Fulham): Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Park, Fletcher, Carrick, Nani, Berbatov, Rooney.
Liverpool
Fabio Aurelio was one of United's tormentors this time last year, and the Brazilian free-kick specialist could make the matchday squad pending a late fitness test. Martin Skrtel, though, remains laid up with a metatarsal injury.
Albert Riera's midweek outburst has seen him frozen out of the club, meaning the left-wing berth will go to any of Ryan Babel, Yossi Benayoun or Maxi Rodriguez - although many have called for the Argentine to play in place of Dirk Kuyt on the right after his impressive outing against Pompey.
Alberto Aquilani also starred on Monday night, but a stomach bug kept the Italian playmaker out of the Lille clash and he remains a doubt for the trip to Old Trafford.
Last starting XI (vs. Lille): Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Insua, Mascherano, Lucas, Kuyt, Gerrard, Babel, Torres.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Manchester United - Wayne Rooney
Quite simply in the form his life. The Everton old boy has 25 goals in 28 Premier League appearances, and he will be determined to add to that tally as he leads the line against his blood foes. Moreover, his newfound aerial dominance will test a Reds defence which has often faltered against good crossing and set pieces.
Liverpool - Fernando Torres
His season may have been blighted by injury, but the Spaniard's stats are no less impressive than Rooney's - 15 league goals from just 19 appearances. Even short of match fitness, 'El Nino' was majestic against Lille and Portsmouth and will be sure to give his favourite whipping boy, Nemanja Vidic, a torrid old time.
Sir Alex Ferguson's men are on track for a 19th league title, and their Merseyside foes will be desperate to prevent that in any way they can as they look to maintain their status as England's most successful club.
And while Rafael Benitez and his charges have had precious little to smile about this season, they know that they are capable of not only beating, but humiliating their North West rivals.
Indeed, United have lost each of their last three encounters with Liverpool, the lowest of the lowlights being a 4-1 drubbing at Old Trafford this time last year.
That clash was a genuine title fight in and of itself, with the result launching the Scousers back into contention - although they would eventually fall four points short of their noisy neighbours.
That element is altogether absent from this clash, with 'Pool battling just to stay in the hunt for Champions League qualification while United sit top of the table.
But while their goals may differ now, the gap in points tallies doesn't diminish the fact that this the biggest and most fiercely fought fixture on the English calendar.
And it may be difficult to tell the home and away fans apart, given their shared fondness for banners adorned with the phrase 'YANKS OUT!'...
FORM GUIDE
Manchester United
Mar 14: Man United 3-0 Fulham (Premier League)
Mar 10: Man United 4-0 Milan (Champions League)
Mar 6: Wolverhampton 0-1 Man United (Premier League)
Feb 28: Aston Villa 1-2 Man United (League Cup)
Feb 23: Man United 3-0 West Ham (Premier League)
Liverpool
Mar 18: Liverpool 3-0 Lille (Europa League)
Mar 15: Liverpool 4-1 Portsmouth (Premier League)
Mar 11: Lille 1-0 Liverpool (Europa League)
Mar 8: Wigan 1-0 Liverpool (Premier League)
Feb 28: Liverpool 2-1 Blackburn (Premier League)
TEAM NEWS
Manchester United
Ryan Giggs will be available for selection after missing the Red Devils' last seven games with a broken arm. Jonny Evans and Rafael da Silva have also returned to training.
The travelling supporters will be denied the opportunity to heap scorn upon Michael Owen, as a hamstring injury means the former Kop favourite will play no further part this season.
Anderson, Wes Brown, Owen Hargreaves and John O'Shea are also sidelined.
Last starting XI (vs. Fulham): Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Park, Fletcher, Carrick, Nani, Berbatov, Rooney.
Liverpool
Fabio Aurelio was one of United's tormentors this time last year, and the Brazilian free-kick specialist could make the matchday squad pending a late fitness test. Martin Skrtel, though, remains laid up with a metatarsal injury.
Albert Riera's midweek outburst has seen him frozen out of the club, meaning the left-wing berth will go to any of Ryan Babel, Yossi Benayoun or Maxi Rodriguez - although many have called for the Argentine to play in place of Dirk Kuyt on the right after his impressive outing against Pompey.
Alberto Aquilani also starred on Monday night, but a stomach bug kept the Italian playmaker out of the Lille clash and he remains a doubt for the trip to Old Trafford.
Last starting XI (vs. Lille): Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Insua, Mascherano, Lucas, Kuyt, Gerrard, Babel, Torres.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Manchester United - Wayne Rooney
Quite simply in the form his life. The Everton old boy has 25 goals in 28 Premier League appearances, and he will be determined to add to that tally as he leads the line against his blood foes. Moreover, his newfound aerial dominance will test a Reds defence which has often faltered against good crossing and set pieces.
Liverpool - Fernando Torres
His season may have been blighted by injury, but the Spaniard's stats are no less impressive than Rooney's - 15 league goals from just 19 appearances. Even short of match fitness, 'El Nino' was majestic against Lille and Portsmouth and will be sure to give his favourite whipping boy, Nemanja Vidic, a torrid old time.
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