Last season, Liverpool finished a full 27 points behind Manchester United. But as David Moyes' side have their gears stuck in reverse, the Liverpool machine is becoming increasingly well-oiled as they find themselves in the title race and 11 points clear of their bitter rivals.
The differing fortunes of both teams this season makes this weekend's game potentially era-defining. A heavy defeat at home to Liverpool could inflict a crushing psychological blow on Man United at a delicate time for the club.
An attacking display is exactly what John Giles and Dietmar Hamann expect from Brendan Rodgers' side when they spoke to Off The Ball this week.
That attacking prowess should strike some fear into Man United, although the latter's defensive record is better than their Merseyside rivals.
The Squawka stats show that Liverpool have made 33 defensive errors this season - the most of any team - while United have made 15.
However, Man United's rather pedestrian midfield will be sorely tested by the high pressing and lightening quick counter-attacks that Liverpool are likely to launch (they have the highest rate of goals from counter-attacks in the league while United have scored 0 on the break).
The template was set in the Anfield match in September which saw the away side have more of the ball (53 per cent) but still wound up losing and having fewer shots than a Liverpool side without Luis Suarez.
Liverpool won the ball back seven times in the opposition half as this Squawka graphic reveals...
In all, Liverpool attempted 41 tackles with a success rate of over 50 per cent.
Conversely an unimpressive Man United failed to win the ball back in the opposition half and only 13 of their 34 attempted tackles proved successful.
Liverpool's goal in that 1 - 0 win was a microcosm of aspects of their performances this season. Daniel Sturridge's headed goal came very early and also via a corner. Liverpool have scored more goals from set pieces than any other team this season and have scored most of their goals in the first half of games, which suits their counter-attacking game-plan. So John Giles assertion that keeping it tight for the first 15 minutes is pointless makes plenty of sense for Liverpool.