Liverpool are on their worst run of form in 22 years, while United have taken 22 points from 27 available this season, but Rio Ferdinand says that will count for nothing at Anfield on Sunday.
Rio and co. travel down the East Lancs road this weekend in fine form and good confidence, while rivals Liverpool are fighting for title chances after a dismal run of form.
Rafael Benitez’s side have lost four games on the trot – two in the Champions League, against Fiorentina and Lyon, and twice in the league, against Chelsea and Sunderland – to leave their aspirations of success at home and abroad hanging by a thread.
But that only adds to the danger, as Rio warns that United must not be in any way complacent.
“I think form goes out of the window in these games,” Ferdinand told MUTV ahead of Sunday’s game.
“We all know that when there’s a big rivalry between two teams, whether it’s a derby or a big cup clash, form doesn’t come into it.
“It all comes down to who performs best on the day and that’s what we’re looking to do.”
Victory for United would maintain the Reds’ position at the Premier League’s summit ahead of Chelsea, who could – temporarily, at least – leapfrog United with a win over Blackburn in Saturday’s evening kick-off. Defeat for eighth-placed Liverpool – a fifth of the season – would surely spell the end of their title challenge.
