Former Liverpool captain Phil Thompson has backed Jurgen Klopp's side to keep a clean sheet and win when they host fierce rivals Manchester United at Anfield on Saturday.
The Reds go into the game having won just one of their last seven matches across all competitions before the international break, failing to keep a clean sheet in any of those games.
However, Liverpool have an impressive record against their fellow top-six rivals since Klopp's arrival just over two years ago, losing only two of their 20 matches against Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, United, Manchester City and Arsenal.
"I'm very confident - it's what [Liverpool] do. Liverpool turn up in the big games. It's going to be an absolute battle but if you look at a lot of our players, they raise their game. Dare I say it, but I think there's a good chance of a Liverpool clean sheet. I fancy us as it's here at Anfield and I think it'll be a Liverpool victory," Thompson told Sky Sports News.
"The relationship between [Jose] Mourinho and Liverpool makes it extra special - and Jose doesn't mind it. He has always been admired, even before he came to this country. He's created that dislike from the Liverpool fans ever since he was Chelsea boss. It's a bit of a game for Jose. He's made it bigger than what it is, including turning Liverpool vs. Chelsea into a big game which it wasn't in the past. Now he's Manchester United manager it makes it all the more important.
"They were inferior to Liverpool at Anfield last season and didn't park just one, but two buses. They went man-for-man - during the game I was thinking this can't go on, but it did. However, they are a far better team this season and more is expected of them. It's a big debate to see whether he'll park the bus again - it's down to Liverpool to react to that."
Liverpool are currently seven points behind United after seven matches of the Premier League season.
Barney Corkhill
