Afternoon all - and what an afternoon it promises to be! Later we will have coverage of the North London derby involving Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, but before that there is the small matter of Liverpool vs. Manchester United at Anfield! Bring it on...

Right, before we get into all the pre-match chat, the team news is just starting filter through. Let's start with hosting Liverpool.

LIVERPOOL XI: Mignolet; Johnson, Agger, Skrtel, Enrique; Lucas, Gerrard; Henderson, Coutinho, Aspas; Sturridge

The big talking point for Liverpool is that experienced centre-back Kolo Toure has failed to recover from an injury. As a result, Martin Skrtel has come in to partner Daniel Agger at the back. As expected, Daniel Sturridge will feature as a lone striker, with the support being provided by Iago Aspas and Philippe Coutinho.

And now for United. As has been reported, there is a big omission from their lineup...

MAN UNITED XI: De Gea; Jones, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Young, Cleverley, Carrick, Giggs; Welbeck, Van Persie

So, as was speculated last night, Wayne Rooney misses out for United with a head injury that he picked up in training yesterday afternoon. He has been replaced by veteran midfielder Ryan Giggs, while Ashley Young comes in to take the place of Antonio Valencia.

That's a blow for United to be without Rooney, especially when you consider the performance that he put in against Chelsea last time out. It appeared that he had accepted that his move to Stamford Bridge was not going to happen and so got his head down and produced a decent display.

Having said that, Rooney's absence is likely to mean that Danny Welbeck is able to regain a more central role alongside Robin van Persie. Against Chelsea he was pushed out wide on the left and was relatively ineffective. However, against Swansea City on the opening day of the season, Welbeck flourished in his preferred centre-forward's position.

Talking to Sky Sports News a few moments ago, Rooney's teammate Rio Ferdinand also believes that United have enough quality to cover his omission:

"It's disappointing obviously but whatever has happened has happened and we can't go back now. We have quality players that can fill the void," he said.

Of course, Rooney has not even been deemed fit enough for a place among the substitutes for the clash. Let's take a look at who has made both benches, though...

LIVERPOOL: Jones, Sterling, Wisdom, Kelly, Ibe, Flanagan, Alberto

MAN UNITED: Lindegaard, Anderson, Smalling, Hernandez, Nani, Valencia, Buttner

With the greatest of respect to the players that have been named on the bench, if Liverpool are in need of goal, there is not a lot of proven quality among the alternatives. Raheem Sterling has shown at times that he is capable of producing the goods in the Premier League, but that is about it. In terms of a striker, the untested Luis Alberto is as close as it gets.

In contrast, the visitors have been boosted by the presence of both Nani and Javier Hernandez. Neither have been involved so far this season because of injuries, but the latter in particular is a real goal threat. However, there is no place for Shinji Kagawa, nor England international Wilfried Zaha, despite his impressive outings during the club's pre-season tour.

Staying with United and their former defender and now Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville has just been speaking about his experience of playing at Anfield. He believes that getting through the first half unscathed is crucial:

"The first 30 minutes - we always felt if you got through that and you weren't down, then you always got stronger in the game. The second half always felt much more comfortable playing here. The first half is very, very difficult."

And a bit more from United (Liverpool will have their turn shortly, honest!) - here is Moyes on the Rooney injury:

"He got a cut down the middle of his forehead, completely accidental, but it's quite a bad cut I have to say. It will probably keep him out for a few weeks. He would have started to today so we've had to alter [the team] a bit, but not too much," he told Sky Sports News.

Moyes also added that Rooney is highly unlikely to join up with the England squad for their World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine.

So then, what of Liverpool? They've started the season with two 1-0 victories (both courtesy of Sturridge) and you can't really argue with that. What's more, they've defended well in both of these encounters. Having said that, those clashes were against Stoke City and Aston Villa, who with the greatest of respect, do not possess a striker with the quality of Van Persie.

Not only are there three points at stake for the hosts today, but tomorrow marks 100 years since the birth of their former manager Bill Shankly, who died in 1981. The Scot guided the Reds to three First Division titles and and two FA Cups. The club are planning to mark the occasion with a one-minute applause before the start of this match.

The man in the dugout now is Brendan Rodgers, who lost his first two matches as Liverpool manager against Man United last season. Add to that the two failures to win as Swansea boss and you get the impression that he will be keen to end that record today. Some will argue, perhaps fairly, that he may not have many better chances to scratch that itch.

And here is what the Rodgers has just had to say about this fixture to Sky Sports News:

"There is a different feel to this game. This is about two cities and fighting for the people in your city. It's important to focus on the game and our composure. You need to be competitive and fierce, but also retain that composure to play that football that you want to play."

PREDICTION: Right then, with under 10 minutes now until we are underway at Anfield, let's have a guess at how this game will unfold. Both sides have defended extremely well so far this season, so perhaps there won't be too many goals. It's a bit of a cliche, but the first team to find the net could well go on to take the points. A 1-0 win either way, but if I had to stick my neck on the line, maybe Liverpool are the slight favourites.

Right, the players are now heading out on to the pitch into what is a noisy atmosphere inside Anfield. Both sets of supporters, as you'd expect, are in fine voice.

And here comes the tribute to the Shankley, whose family is in attendance on the side of the pitch.

GAME ON! Right then - United, attacking The Kop during the first half, get this encounter off and running.

Bright start from United as an Ashley Young cross from the left finds Giggs at the back post. The Welshman attempts to swing the ball back into the area, but Simon Mignolet races off his line to claim the ball. Just the start Moyes will have demanded from his players.

What a dream start for the home side! It's poor from United's point of view as Young's dawdling inside the area sees Liverpool win a corner. From Gerrard's cross into the area, Agger beats Ferdinand to the ball and his headed effort is glanced into the net by Sturridge. Anfield, as you'd expect, erupts.

CHANCE! Almost an immediate response from the away team as Giggs sends over a free kick from the right to the back post. Patrice Evra heads the ball down for Van Persie, who attempts an acrobatic effort from eight yards out. The ball is always rising, though, and ends up nestling in The Kop rather than the net.

SAVE! Neat football from United as Evra picks out Welbeck on the edge of the area and the England man switches to his left foot. His next touch is a shot, but it's straight at Mignolet, who holds.

CHANCE! A big opportunity for United to level up the score goes begging. Young's low corner from the right evades everyone in the box, including Welbeck and Van Persie, both of whom were well placed but failed to make a clean connection with the ball and a goal kick is awarded.

After a spell of pressure from United, Liverpool have started to gain a foothold on proceedings. Moments ago Sturridge skipped away from Ferdinand and looked to be through on goal, but Vidic retreated to block the danger. Better from the home side, though.

He may end up going on to score a hat-trick, but Aspas has struggled so far today. Liverpool are trying to get him into the game whenever they can, but he has allowed both Ferdinand and Vidic to nip in front of him to gain possession on numerous occasions. If anything, the summer signing from Celta Vigo looks a little light-weight.

Liverpool have a free kick 25 yards from goal in a great area for Steven Gerrard...

SAVE!...But there is not enough height on the Liverpool skipper's effort and David de Gea skips across his line to collect the ball.

A quick tweet from Gary Lineker, who has been impressed with one Liverpool in particular:

"Could watch Coutinho all day. Fabulous little player."

BOOKINGS! The first yellow card of the game goes to United midfielder Tom Cleverley, who flies in late on Coutinho on the edge of the Liverpool box. Then, moments later, Aspas sees yellow for brandishing an imaginary card. Both deserved.

BOOKING! The game is very stop-start right now, thanks largely to the amount of needless fouls that are being committed. The latest to offend is Van Persie, whose studs catch Agger. Another correct decision from referee Andre Marriner.

BOOKING! And now a third United player goes into the book - they really need to watch their discipline. It's Carrick who receives the caution for hauling down Aspas as the Liverpool striker attempts to start a counter-attack. You can see a sending off happening if this carries on.

As Giggs gives the ball away once again for United, the fourth official signals that there will be two minutes of stoppage time at the end of the first half.

Well, that was a spicy end to the half. Van Persie took exception to a challenge from Skrtel and confronted the Liverpool defender. Then the likes of Agger and Gerrard got involved and things looked as though they were about to turn physical. Shortly after, the referee wisely blows for half-time. Van Persie, in particular, needs to calm down, especially because he's on a booking.

Well, Rodgers is going to be the happier of the two managers without doubt. His side have not been at their best by any means, but they've worked extremely hard off the ball and have been extremely organised. The team talk is also bound to include how they can also go about continuing to wind up Van Persie, who has a short fuse and is one challenge away from a second yellow card.

From a United point of view, they've been very wasteful. Today has raised more question marks over Giggs's inclusion in the bigger matches. He's give the ball away on so many occasions, as have Cleverley and Young. In fact, it's highlighted how great Moyes's need is for at least one, probably two, midfielders before the transfer window shuts tomorrow night.

It wouldn't be a surprise if a change or two is made at the break by Moyes. Depending on their fitness, he must be considering using Nani and Hernandez. If not now, then not long after the restart if his side's fortunes do not alter.

And just before we get underway in the second half, here is what former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson has had to say about the clash on BBC Sport:

"Manchester United, in the final third, have been very poor. Liverpool have got players behind the ball and defended well. But a warning to Liverpool is that you don't imagine United can be as bad in the second half."

SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! Right then, Liverpool get the second half started. Neither side has made a change.

It appeared that Carrick was about to be handed his second yellow card of the match when he committed a foul on Aspas, but after a long talk, Marriner lets him off. The United midfielder looked as though he was fearing the worst. More poor discipline from United. It will be a miracle if they end this match with 11 players at this rate.

It's been a pacey start from United, who have Liverpool pegged inside their own half. Young has had their best effort, but his drilled shot was blocked from by the Liverpool rearguard. Whatever Moyes said at the break, it seems to have worked for now.

PENALTY APPEAL! United want a penalty as Welbeck tumbles on the byline under a challenge from Aspas. He's adamant that he was clipped, but the replays show that he went down a little easily and only a goal kick is awarded.

BOOKING! In all fairness, Young is having a bit of a nightmare out there right now. He's just played a poor pass and in trying to regain possession, he pulls back Henderson and is rightly cautioned. Meanwhile, Liverpool make the first switch of the afternoon as Sterling comes on for Aspas.

SUBSTITUTION: Unsurprisingly, that's the end of Young's afternoon. Moyes has seen enough and decides to replace the England international with the returning Nani. The Portuguese winger can be frustrating, but on his day he has the ability to unlock this Liverpool defence.

United are seeing much more of the ball in this half, but they are lacking that final pass at the moment. Nani has just had the ball in two decent areas, but his attempt to find a teammate is blocked by a stubborn Liverpool defence. Then, Giggs heads goalwards from the a Nani corner, by Mignolet holds with ease.

SUBSTITUTION: The final roll of the dice for United as Giggs, who has been disappointing in possession, is replaced by Hernandez. The Liverpool defenders will now have a United focal to mark.

SAVE! That's much better from Nani, who gets a bit of luck when the ball bounces to him on the edge of the area. His left-footed drive is powerful, but Mignolet is alert enough to parry the danger away. Valencia drills the rebound back into the danger zone, but Liverpool clear with ease. Is that a sign that United are starting to turn the screw?

SUBSTITUTION: Another worry for England manager Roy Hodgson as Glen Johnson limps off following a challenge with Evra. It looks as though he has picked up a knee injury. Youngster Andre Wisdom replaces him.

SAVE! Another effort from United as Hernandez is first to Skrtel's clearance, but his strike is not the cleanest and bounces into a waiting Mignolet's hands. The Red Devils are applying some pressure, but are not given off the impression that they might score anytime soon. The final change for Liverpool has also been made as Coutinho comes off and Alberto is handed is Premier League debut.

CHANCE! A massive opportunity for United to draw level and it is Van Persie that wastes it. Hernandez slips him in down the channel and the Dutchman is away. United wouldn't want anyone else in the position, but he fires wide of the goal. The angle was narrow, but he should have at least got that on target from there.

BOOKING! A late caution for the home team as Lucas brings down Cleverley on the right wing. The Brazilian wasn't happy, but it's a deserved caution.

From somewhere, the referee has decided that there will be five minutes of stoppage time. Plenty of time for United to find an equaliser, or Liverpool to settle matters.

'You'll Never Walk Alone' strikes up around Anfield. They believe that their side have won this. Two minutes to go...

Well, there you have it. Liverpool were by no means at their best, but United did not really do enough to claim anything from this encounter. Delighted scenes around Anfield, as you would imagine.

That's all we have time for from Anfield. Thanks for joining us this afternoon and if Arsenal vs. Spurs is your sort of thing, why not follow our live text commentary of the encounter here.