Monday 17 October 2016 20:55, UK
Liverpool will have a real chance at winning the Premier League if they lay down a marker against Manchester United, says Graeme Souness.
The two sides meet on Red Monday live on Sky Sports, with the Merseyside club heading into the clash with the better form, having won their last four top-flight games.
Former Liverpool captain Souness believes Jurgen Klopp's men can send a message of intent with a victory over their fierce rivals on Monday Night Football.
"The rivalry between Manchester United and Liverpool, I believe, is the biggest between any two clubs in English football," he said on Premier League Live on Saturday.
"Liverpool have not won the league now for 20-plus years and they would love to put a marker down. If they do, I think it will say they have a real chance this year.
"I would be happy as a Liverpool supporter with top four. Right now, if you are a Liverpool supporter they are maybe thinking even more than top four."
Jose Mourinho's United have won four, drawn one and lost two of their opening seven fixtures, and former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry believes they will face a big test of their resolve at Anfield.
"At the minute they [United] are not playing extremely well. They have got some results but they are not playing extremely well," he said after Chelsea's 3-0 win over Leicester on Sky Sports.
"Last year the Manchester United of Louis van Gaal used to manage these games really well and maybe not the others. It's how they are going to respond to what Liverpool throw at them and what face they are going to show.
"If United can skip Liverpool's pressure, play a long pass - not a long ball - into Zlatan, if he plays, and then play from there, maybe that can be a tactic. It can be a way to play against them and it worked very well for Burnley."
Gianluca Vialli also joined the pundits in the studio, and agrees with Souness that Liverpool are the more likely to have a chance at the Premier League title this term.
"It's a turning point of the season for both clubs I think. Liverpool wants to fight for the title and Manchester United, so far, have been a bit questionable so they want to be part of that elite clubs playing for the title," he said.
"At the moment Liverpool [are the most likely title contender between United and Liverpool]. If they can sustain this consistency and understand when they need to push up and when to sit, I think they have more options up front.
"To me they know better what to do on the pitch. Jose Mourinho is still working with Man Utd players to create a reliable system and to find the right players for the right positions in the squad."
