The two giants of English football clash this afternoon, as Liverpool travel to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United in another hotly-anticipated meeting between them.

Yet with Brendan Rodgers’ men languishing in eighth place and 21 points off the pace set by the Red Devils at the top of the Premier League, it is not solely the teams that are the focus of events on Sunday, but rather, which of the two sides’ free-scoring strikers prevails.

The hosts’ Robin van Persie currently leads the way in the goal charts with 16 so far this campaign, yet he is closely followed by Luis Suarez, whose 15 goals have almost single-handedly kept the Merseysiders above water this year…

Borussia Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp has expressed his delight at the arrival of midfielder Nuri Sahin, after he rejoined his former club on an 18-month loan deal from Real Madrid.

The 24-year-old left Westfalenstadion in 2011, but returns two years later after unsuccessful spells at the Santiago Bernabeu and with Liverpool.

“We will still have to get him used to our operations, which will take him several weeks,” he explained to Bild. “However, Nuri is an absolute quality player, and gives us a lot more options in midfield.

“Through his efforts, we can hope to integrate a great deal more attackers, such as Ilkay Gundogan.”

Gundogan echoed Klopp’s praise of his new team-mate and stressed how the additional competition for places could be a big positive for the club.

“He might increase competition within the midfield, but will also help us with his qualities and effort.”

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has taunted Liverpool ahead of Sunday’s Old Trafford showdown by admitting he no longer takes notice of where the Merseysiders sit in the Premier League table.

Though the fixture retains its status the one the most iconic rivalries in world football, once against it will have little direct influence on the destination of the title, with Brendan Rodgers’ side some 21 points adrift of the league leaders.

While United continue to fight it out for top domestic billing with Manchester City and look forward to a glamour European tie against Real Madrid next month, Liverpool must console themselves with Europa League football as Rodgers sets about a sizeable rebuilding job.

When it was pointed out to him that Liverpool were currently residing in eighth place Ferguson revealed his “surprise” and added: “I never even thought about that until it was mentioned on the television. I don’t really look at that. I look at that mob [Manchester City] that’s behind us, the team that’s directly behind us. Their programme, who they’ve got next. I do that all the time.”

By contrast, Ferguson needed little reminding, however, that Liverpool’s failure to add to their 18 league titles had now stretched into a 23rd year: “Oh yes, I’ve been dreaming about it,” he joked.

Liverpool and Rodgers face an enormous task to redress the balance, one made all the more complicated by their continued absence – which currently stands at three seasons – from Europe’s elite competition.

“If we weren’t in the Champions League it would be a disaster and that probably applies to other big clubs,” Ferguson added.

Though the destination of the title is now more likely to hinge on the outcome of United’s meeting with City later this season, Ferguson still regards the clash with Liverpool as the one that still matters most in a one off context.

He said: “I know City represent a different outlook in the last five years but Liverpool were always the one and nothing will change. It’s not about the position in the league.”