COMMENT: We know for one set of players this fixture matters. Always up for it. Always at it. No matter the circumstance, we know Liverpool's players will throw everything at a Manchester United fixture. But these days, can we say the same of the opposition...?

It's now going on 40 years, but there was a time when Liverpool were the equivalent of today's Manchester City. Indeed, for the way the club dominated not just the old First Division, but also Europe, you can argue they were even a more dominant force than Pep's Sky Blues.

Hansen, Rush, Souness, Dalglish. The names just go on and on. Beardsley, Barnes, Nicol. From one team to the next, Liverpool were virtually untouchable - at home and on the continent. But one club, home and away, were always guaranteed to give the Reds a game. They rarely threatened as a contender. Though were always a decent Cup team. But no matter the competition, Liverpool's players knew they were in for a game when facing Manchester United. Indeed, in terms of character. Culture. It was the results against Liverpool - particularly at Anfield - which kept United together.

Frank Stapleton's winner in '85. The 3-3 draw, with Gordon Strachan's cigar celebration in '88. These weren't teams full of world-beaters. And they always faced Liverpool as rank underdogs. But there was pride about United's approach. A demand from eachother not to wilt. Perhaps it was influence of Bryan Robson, who carried the club on his shoulders for so many years. But there was a definite tradition at United, whether they were mid-table or higher in the standings, of always being ready and willing to go toe-to-toe with Liverpool at a heaving Anfield.

But today? Today, you can't say that about this generation. 7-0. 4-0. 0-5. 2-4. No-one can consider United's recent results against Liverpool and claim the players gave everything. That they fought for everything. Let's not mince words. It's been a shambles. John Gidman. Peter Davenport. Graeme Hogg. As we say, the United teams of that generation weren't overflowing with top drawer talent. And they were facing giants. A generation of Liverpool players - as a group - superior to anything we've seen from the Jurgen Klopp era. Yet they found a way to compete. And even to win.

So does this fixture mean the same to this lot? They'll talk a good game - they always do - but we've rarely seen it on the pitch in recent years. In contrast, no-one could accuse Liverpool of the same. When this game comes around, you know Mo Salah will ratchet the intensity up a level. As we say, always up for it. Always at it. If there is one player who has been the symbol of the modern day Liverpool v Man Utd fixture it is the Egyptian.

Pace. Aggression. Even nastiness. It epitomises Salah when facing a United team. You just know what you're going to get from him. But if you go searching for a United equivalent, there's just nothing there.

Again, go back to those 80's clashes and you knew what was coming. It was the stuff of blood n' thunder. A Salah performance on steroids. And we're talking those (usually) in the white away shirt of Manchester United. But there's no such expectations for today's United. Yeah, the press will hype things up. The players will give their usual soundbites. But no United fan. Even the away regulars at the Anfield Road End. None can claim that today's United play with an aggressive edge at Liverpool. That an away player will try to set the tone with the first 50-50 tackle - as Robson did so often back in the day.

For this game, that edge just doesn't exist - at least on United's side of the pitch. For Liverpool, it does. It always has. And when you listen to their players discuss this fixture, you know it's coming from a place of credibility and honesty.

“It's different from any other fixture that we have," says Scouser Trent Alexander-Arnold. "Of course we potentially have different ambitions and different close rivals, but that rivalry between the fans will always remain, no matter where the teams are in the league, no matter what time of the season.

“It's special. It's Anfield! The fans get up for it, the players too.

“The occasion is massive, everyone knows how big it is. It feels different from every other game."

Indeed, his words "feel different" if you compare them to a United soundbite. You know it matters to him. You know he'll be up for it. Something you can't credit the same to any opposing United player.

Is it just the dressing room? No. Even the board room have shown past signs of losing what this fixture means. The worst example. Which has now become a legacy. Was the capitulation of Ed Woodward, the club's former vice-chairman, and his decision to fire Jose Mourinho - infamously - after their 3-1 defeat at Anfield five years ago. A decision which has handed Liverpool a pre-match advantage ever since.

Everytime there's a wobble. Everytime there's some doubt about United's manager going to Anfield. The Mourinho sacking is front and centre in the lead-up. Just as Erik ten Hag has experienced this week, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer faced the same. It was a poor decision lacking in any forethought or understanding of the traditions of this fixture.

An accusation you can also level at today's players. At least on United's side. For Liverpool v Manchester United, you know there'll be one set of players determined to match the intensity of every man who went before them. And they won't be wearing a visiting shirt.