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Liverpool v Manchester United is Premier League's elite game says Steve Coppell

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 17: Wayne Rooney of Manchester United in action with Martin Skrtel of Liverpool
Image: Anfield test is a bigger game for Manchester United says Steve Coppell

Manchester United's visit to Liverpool on Monday Night Football is a bigger game for the away team claims former Red Devils winger Steve Coppell.

Jose Mourinho's side trail Jurgen Klopp's men by three points ahead of what remains one of the most eagerly-anticipated fixtures on the Premier League calendar.

May 1979:  Steve Coppell (left) of Manchester United evades Sammy Nelson of Arsenal during the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium in London. Arsenal won the m
Image: Coppell (left) in action for Manchester United in the 1979 FA Cup final

And Liverpool-born Coppell, who made 373 appearances and scored 70 goals for United in eight years at Old Trafford, expects an intriguing encounter between the bitter North West rivals, live on Sky Sports 1.

"Liverpool versus Manchester United has been an elite game for so many years now and I think it's the game by which both teams really judge themselves," Coppell told Sky Sports.

Philippe Coutinho's Liverpool will do battle with Juan Mata's Manchester United in front of the Sky Sports cameras on Monday, October 17
Image: United beat Liverpool home and away in the Premier League last season

"The rivalry is massive and whoever wins has bragging rights, although the team who win the league at the end of the season have the real bragging rights.

"You know it's going to literally be a red-hot atmosphere wherever it's played and the team that comes out on top will take a great deal of confidence from that and carry it forward for the rest of the season."

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Coppell, who is now managing Kerala Blasters, added: "I think this is a bigger game for Manchester United.

"As always, there are question marks over what's going on with the way they play and the changes with a new manager in there in Jose Mourinho.

Former managers Alex Ferguson and Steve Coppell of Crystal Palace bring out the FA Cup  ahead of the 2016 FA Cup final
Image: Coppell managed Crystal Palace in the 1990 FA Cup final against Manchester United

"Historically, I suspect United have finished higher in the table, and at least recently, particularly under Sir Alex Ferguson, United have enjoyed the best of the rivalry.

"But now is a different time. Jurgen Klopp has really begun to get hold of things whereas Mourinho is still yet to assert is authority in many ways at the club.

Sachin Tendulkar
Image: Coppell is now manager of the Sachin Tendulkar co-owned Kerala Blasters

"But in terms of challenge at this stage of the season it promises to be fascinating fixture and one that I am really looking forward to."

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