Focus on Anfield ‘war’, but expect sparks elsewhere

JOSE Mourinho takes high-flying Manchester United to Liverpool for a searching test of their title credentials today as the Premier League returns with a bang after the international break.

United are level with Manchester City at the top of the table on 19 points, trailing their neighbours on goal difference, but have not yet faced any of their major rivals.

Pep Guardiola’s free-scoring City, who have already beaten seventhplace Liverpool and defending champions Chelsea, host Stoke City, looking to add to an impressive haul of 22 goals so far.

Here are five things to look out for in the Premier League this weekend: Mourinho and Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp must both juggle their resources for today’s early kick-off at Anfield following injuries to key players.

United are without midfielder Paul Pogba, who has been out of action for several weeks with a hamstring injury, and the muscular Marouane Fellaini is also missing.

It means a likely start for last year’s club player of the year Ander Herrera alongside Nemanja Matic.

For his part, Klopp, whose side trail United by seven points, has to do without forward Sadio Mane, who picked up a hamstring injury on international duty with Senegal.

“I think we are a better team (than we were),” Mourinho said yesterday.