Friday 13 October 2017 09:17, UK
Danny Murphy believes that Saturday's huge clash at Anfield, live on Sky Sports Premier League, is "a bigger game" for Liverpool than Manchester United.
The two old rivals go head-to-head as the Premier League bursts back into life after the international break with United looking to pull away at the top of the table and the Reds hoping to end a run of two successive 1-1 draws in all competitions.
Liverpool currently sit seven points behind their weekend rivals, and Danny Murphy says that his former side are under more pressure heading into the tie, and need to send a message the teams around them.
"I personally think with the way the table is, irrespective of who United have or haven't played, it's a bigger game for Liverpool," the ex-midfielder said on The Debate.
"United have already earned the right to have a slip up. When you're unbeaten for that many games and they have hardly put in a bad performance, they would be forgiven one. It would be hugely disappointing but they would have the points on the board, but for Liverpool to lose to United, all of a sudden, that gap and the question marks get bigger.
"Yes [their title ambitions would be over if they lost]. I don't think Liverpool have a good enough squad to win it anyway. I don't like to say that, but I think it's true.
"It's a big, big game for Liverpool, especially after the Man City game. I know they went down to ten men but to lose 5-0 was bad.
"I think they need to put a marker in the sand again. Last season they did it and beat everybody, all the big boys, and this one would send a message that they are still in it, they're still fighting and they've got the quality. It might be a lucky win, but they won't care."
One player who will not feature on Saturday is Sadio Mane, who will be sidelined for the next few weeks with a hamstring injury, and Phil Neville - who says the forward is Liverpool's best player - believes that Jose Mourinho will be 'delighted' that Mane is omitted.
Speaking on The Debate, Neville said: "I think Mane is an unbelievable miss for Liverpool. If you're Jose Mourinho and planning for a game with Mane and Mo Salah on either side and Roberto Firmino up front, you're thinking 'my full-backs can't go forward much today, they have to defend for 90 minutes'The Debate.
"Now, if Philippe Coutinho plays there or Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, you know that Antonio Valencia can fly forward because he hasn't got to mark Mane.
"I think Mane puts everything together for Liverpool in terms of that high pressing and energy up front. He's the key and Liverpool's best player for me. He's unpredictable, he can win a game on his own, he can do something out of nothing that can win Liverpool the game.
"He's a massive loss for Liverpool and I think Mourinho, given the choice, will say he can handle being without Paul Pogba or Marouane Fellaini but he'll be delighted that Mane isn't playing."
