Jurgen Klopp and Jose Mourinho going head-to-head in a league game is something nobody has ever seen before. So no one knows what to expect in that regard. There are, of course, other games to go by.

So far this season, both teams have averaged over 54% possession per game, dominance has been the norm. That is so often the way with stronger clubs, but when they face one another it is usually a case of which team can cope best with less possession and take their chances most clinically while restricting the opposition’s presence in the final third.

Although Mourinho is usually be happy to take a point in big away games like this one, the three points already separating his side from Liverpool – and the five from Manchester City – may force his hand to play a more offensive game. Previously Mourinho would have played two defensive midfielders, but he is yet to show faith in any of his recognised holding players this season, with Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini favoured in the deepest midfield role. Though Liverpool’s energy in the midfield might mean a more energetic United midfield, too.

Then again, the absences of Georginio Wijnaldum and Adam Lallana might change things. Jurgen Klopp will need to change his midfield and we should see Emre Can play in one of the box-to-box roles. Liverpool will not change how their style of play though, regardless of how Manchester United set up or the injuries they face. Klopp’s side will focus on pressing high up the pitch and force United to play direct balls up the field, and this could play into the hands of  arguably the most talented player of either squad, Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Should Daley Blind start in the centre of United’s defence, he will be targeted by Liverpool’s front three immediately – because it will be his ability to pick a pass that could cut to the very heart of Klopp’s defence.

Liverpool currently lead the league in dribbles completed, shots on target, and shots conceded per game. And aside from their slip up against Burnley, they have arguably been the best performing side in the league in the early contests of this season –  Manchester United, meanwhile, have looked flimsy defensively. Mourinho continues to grapple with his squad to find his strongest side, but his continued lack of balance in midfield has left the team looking beatable for much of this campaign.

Trying to find an approach that brings the best out of Paul Pogba and Ibrahimovic without vastly compromising the protection of the back four is proving much trickier than expected. At least one of Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford must start for United and they have to be unafraid to play the ball in behind the Liverpool defence to stretch the game and expose Klopp’s organisational weakness – if Liverpool drop deep to nullify pace in behind their defence, they’ll leave dangerous space for the likes of Pogba and Juan Mata to exploit.

But unless Mourinho adds a defensive midfielder to the starting lineup, Liverpool will still be able to dominate the middle third of the field. Their 4-3-3 looks formidable up against United’s 4-2-3-1, and that could allow Jordan Henderson to patrol in front of the defence and occupy that space between the lines. Pogba would benefit greatly from being in a free role against Liverpool’s energetic, swarming midfield and his talent could be shackled if forced into the deeper midfield role that he has occupied so far this season.