Georginio Wijnaldum believes a resurgent Manchester United will be ‘difficult’ for Liverpool to face.
Sunday’s clash could see the Reds retake control of the Premier League title race by overtaking current leaders Manchester City with a win at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils are currently enjoying a new lease of life under caretaker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who has lost just one of his opening 13 games at the helm.
Liverpool ran out 3-1 winners in December’s corresponding fixture, which ultimately proved to be Jose Mourinho’s last match in charge as United manager.
Wijnaldum, however, is expecting a different prospect against Solksjaer’s side.
He said: “I think it’s going to be a really big change.
“Since the new manager came in, there’s a new flow. They played good games and won a lot of games. That’s building confidence in the team.
“It’s also a home game for them so I think they have a lot of confidence with the performances when they played at home.
“It’s going to be a difficult game but I’m looking forward to it.”
The trip to Old Trafford bookends a challenging week for Jurgen Klopp’s side after being held in their Champions League last 16 tie with Bayern Munich.
It was thought that the Bavarians were the happier with Tuesday’s stalemate as they prepare to welcome Liverpool for the return leg in three weeks’ time.
But Wijnaldum believes the result is as beneficial to his side as it is to Bayern.
“Is it a better result for them? Why? I think it’s a good result for both,” he insisted.
“The only thing is that if we go there and we score a goal, they have to score two. They have an advantage that they play at home.
“I think a lot of teams, when they come to Anfield, and play for a draw, they think it’s a good result. So I don’t think it’s a bad result for them.
“But neither is it for us.”