Can Trent defend? The ultimate test is coming up in the form of Rashford

The big English classic between Liverpool and Manchester United means a lot to both sets of fans, the neutrals, everyone. And games like that are won and lost all over the pitch. If there is a weak link in your team - it will get exposed.

One of the talking points in the past couple of years is whether Liverpool's star man Trent Alexander-Arnold is actually an able defender of just a flashy winger in disguise. It's one of those debates that's likely to follow the England international through the rest of his career. Still, we could get a few answers this weekend when the Reds host bitter rivals Manchester United in a Premier League clash on Sunday. It means Trent will have the tough task of stopping United's in-form attacker Marcus Rashford.

Rashford has already got 25 goals this season and is looking better than ever under Erik Ten Hag's guidance. Liverpool, on the other hand, are enduring a slump in form and are struggling for consistency - with problems all over the pitch.

Speaking about his England teammate's rise to form, Alexander-Arnold admitted that his England teammate is a constant threat.

"The only thing that's really changed is he's probably scored a lot more recently but he's the same player. He's always a threat and I'm sure he will be a threat on Sunday. It will be a tough game but it's one I'm looking forward to and it will be a good test. It's difficult to stop Rashford. He's a player who's got a lot of weapons in his arsenal but I think it's more of a team effort, it won't be just a one-on-one thing. They'll have more than just Marcus going forward, it's a team thing and as long as the team wins on Sunday, that's all I'm bothered about."

Jurgen Klopp's resurgent Reds have picked up 10 points out of a possible 12 in those last four, and Alexander-Arnold believes a win 'against a team like United' will be crucial in their bid for a top-four finish. They are currently six points off Tottenham who are fourth. The last time United went to Anfield they were hammered 4-0. But this season, Liverpool don't seem capable of repeating such a result. Will there be a breaking point?

Even Klopp acknowledged Rashford's big upturn in form since the World Cup break.

"I am really happy for him. Last year not performing at the level he's able to perform. Now he's playing incredibly. How calm he is now in front of the goal. He scores worldies and the simple ones."

PREMIER LEAGUE

Round 26

Saturday

15:30: (1.45) Man.City (4.60) Newcastle (8.50)

18:00: (1.23) Arsenal (6.50) Bournemouth (12.0)

18:00: (2.10) Aston Villa (3.35) Crystal Palace (4.00)

18:00: (1.85) Brighton (3.60) West Ham (4.80)

18:00: (1.65) Chelsea (3.70) Leeds (5.70)

18:00: (3.20) Wolverhampton (3.30) Tottenham (2.30)

20:30: (2.95) Southampton (3.20) Leicester (2.65)

Sunday

17:00: (2.75) Nott.Forest (3.00) Everton (3.05)

19:30: (2.55) Liverpool (3.45) Man.Utd. (2.90)

Monday

23:00: (2.15) Brentford (3.50) Fulham (3.60)

***odds are subject to change***