More recently, over the last two seasons, United have beaten Liverpool four times in a row: 0-1 (away), 3-1 (home), 2-1 (away) and 3-0 (home). That could be about to change, because apart from the League Cup final against Manchester City, the Redmen are unbeaten in their last six fixtures: 1-2 (away v Crystal Palace, Premier League), 3-0 (home v Manchester City, Premier League), 1-1 (at Wembley v Manchester City, lost 3-1 on penalties after extra time in the League Cup final), 1-0 (home v Augsburg, Europa League), 0-0 (away v Augsburg, Europa League) and 0-6 (away v Aston Villa, Premier League).
Liverpool's predicted starting line-up is expected to be: Goalkeeper: Simon Mignolet. Defence: Alberto Moreno, Mamadou Sakho, Dejan Lovren and Nathaniel Clyne. Midfield: Emre Can, Jordan Henderson, Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and Adam Lallana. Forward: Daniel Sturridge.
Defence has been one of Liverpool's main weaknesses in 2015/16, so it is good news for them that Mamadou Sakho and Dejan Lovren, two of their three main centre-backs, are fit and likely to continue their run of games this evening. As local lad Jon Flanagan has not been registered for the Europa League, Nathaniel Clyne is likely to come in at right-back, with Alberto Moreno at left-back.
In midfield, Emre Can and captain Jordan Henderson look likely to start in the centre, with Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino on either side of Adam Lallana, who should act as the playmaker in the number 10 role behind the resurgent Daniel Sturridge.
Manchester United's predicted starting line-up is expected to be: Goalkeeper: David De Gea. Defence: Chris Smalling, Matteo Darmian, Marcos Rojo and Daley Blind. Midfield: Juan Mata, Morgan Schneiderlin, Michael Carrick, Memphis Depay and Ander Herrera. Forward: Anthony Martial.
The story is much the same for United in defence. They have found it difficult in 2015/16 to deal with counter-attacks and aerial duels, and both Matteo Darmian and Daley Blind were found wanting in Sunday's defeat to West Bromwich Albion. Of the back four, only Chris Smalling and Marcos Rojo appeared to show any real commitment when it came to defending.
In the Red Devils' midfield, Morgan Schneiderlin and Michael Carrick are the likely pair in front of the back four as central defensive midfielders. Ahead of them, Juan Mata, Ander Herrera and Memphis Depay form a trio that has caused opposing teams problems all season and is likely to keep doing so. Mata can run straight down the middle, with Herrera supporting him on the right and Depay on the left. Up front, Anthony Martial is expected to start as the main point of attack, although Marouane Fellaini could start instead if fit, as he is more likely than Martial to trouble Liverpool in the air from free kicks and corners.
That is the breakdown of tonight's meeting between the Redmen and the Red Devils, one of the oldest rivalries in world football.
How the tie ended
The meeting was the first time the two clubs had faced each other in European competition, in the round of 16 of the 2015–16 Europa League. Liverpool won the first leg 2-0 at Anfield on 10 March 2016, with goals from Daniel Sturridge, from the penalty spot, and Roberto Firmino. In the return leg at Old Trafford a week later, Anthony Martial scored a penalty in the 32nd minute, but Philippe Coutinho equalised with a solo goal just before half-time, and the 1-1 draw sent Liverpool through 3-1 on aggregate.
Jürgen Klopp's side went on to beat Borussia Dortmund 5-4 on aggregate in the quarter-finals, winning the second leg 4-3 at Anfield, and reached the final in Basel, where they lost 3-1 to Sevilla on 18 May 2016.
Questions people ask
What is the North-West Derby?
It is the name given to matches between Liverpool and Manchester United, two clubs from cities about 35 miles apart. The fixture is one of the oldest rivalries in English football.
Had Liverpool and Manchester United met in Europe before 2016?
No. The Europa League round of 16 in March 2016 was the first time the two clubs faced each other in European competition.
What was the result of the 2016 Europa League tie?
Liverpool won the first leg 2-0 at Anfield and drew the second leg 1-1 at Old Trafford. They went through 3-1 on aggregate.
How far did Liverpool go in the 2015–16 Europa League?
Liverpool reached the final, having beaten Borussia Dortmund 5-4 on aggregate in the quarter-finals. They lost the final 3-1 to Sevilla in Basel on 18 May 2016.