Manchester United host Liverpool on Saturday at Old Trafford with both clubs having made a tentative start to the Premier League season.
They have seven points form four games, with both sides losing their last matches.
Saturday's fixture provides the fierce rivals with an opportunity to deliver an early blow to the other's top-four hopes.
Sportsmail has spoken to a supporter each side of the M62 to gauge the atmosphere ahead of what promises to be a ferocious encounter.
Dale O’Donnell of Stretty News speaks on behalf of United, while David Tyrer of Live4Liverpoolrepresents Brendan Rodgers' side
1. What it is about them and their fans you dislike so much?
UNITED: I must state that I love United more than I hate Liverpool. The rivalry is magic but there’s still quite a few scousers that I see eye-to-eye with despite despising what their club stands for.
However, every fanbase has its idiots and that minority tend to play up on the big occasions with sick chants that are inhuman.
For years and years they gave it to us about being the most successful English football club but since we collected number 19 and 20 we’re the ones that laugh now. Bring on 21.
LIVERPOOL: It's a complex thing. At the heart of it is just pure hatred. Built up over generations, it stems - mainly - from the fact they're our nearest rivals, historically, and (sorry blues!) in terms of vicinity, when it comes to trophy haul.
You're also looking at a regional rivalry that has seeped into football though. There's a reason this is the first fixture we look for and you can't buy or engineer that kind of intensity.
2. How much satisfaction do you get from beating United/Liverpool compared to other teams?
UNITED: In all honesty, it’s like no other. Football is full of highs and lows so it tastes sweet when you beat Liverpool after eagerly anticipating the fixture for so long.
LIVERPOOL: I'll probably get a lot of stick for this but when we beat Everton it feels like we're putting the noisy neighbours in their place.
Beating the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal (and now Man City) feels hugely gratifying, mainly due to the immense wealth they have but the feeling of beating United may as well be ingrained in our DNA. That's how deep it goes.
If your grow up in a Red household you learn from an early age that winning is the most important thing and if it's United then even better.
3. What is your most memorable victory over United/Liverpool?
UNITED: The 1-0 win at Old Trafford in January, 2006. Rio Ferdinand’s headed winner followed by Gary Neville's terrific celebration.
That run towards the away end still gives me goosebumps. It is exactly what I would have done.
LIVERPOOL: A few years ago it would have, hands down, been the 4-1 at Old Trafford under Rafa, when we were in our pomp. But that award now goes to the 3-0 in March 2014.
We knew we'd never have a better chance but the nature of the win was astounding and it really announced us as title contenders. It really made the dirty looks I got for sneaking out of a christening worthwhile!
4. And your most painful defeat?
UNITED: When they put four past us in 2009. Even Fabio Aurelio scored.
LIVERPOOL: That would have to be the FA cup final in 1996. As a young man I'd experienced few big days like that that I could remember so to lose to your greatest rivals hurt for days.
5. And who is your most disliked player from their team (past or present)?
UNITED: Where to start? Steven Gerrard bugged me with his self-loving personality and five fingered salutes. That's their answer to everything because Premier League titles don’t exist in Merseyside.
Luis Suarez is another good contender.
The way in which Kenny Dalglish and the club backed him during the race row was baffling. I’m still confused how all those people could be as deluded and short-sighted.
LIVERPOOL: That's a toss up between Roy Keane and Gary Neville for me. I can appreciate what both did as footballers but, let's be honest, neither was the most well liked even outside of Liverpool fans.
I'd have to go for Keane though. Great player, but what a horrible, nasty piece of work he was.
6. Who is the bigger club?
UNITED: United. It’s brilliant how their fans find this so difficult to swallow
LIVERPOOL: There are so many ways to answer who the biggest club is. I mean, financially and commercially there's no contest, we fell well behind in the 90s and still haven't caught up.
But purely in terms of history, success and popularity you'd find few from either side that would say it was the other club, and I'm no different - Liverpool FC are still the bigger club. Just look at those five European cups; we still haven't been knocked off our European perch.
7. Which opposition player do you most fear will win it for them?
UNITED: I don't fear any of their players but it would be a pain to see Roberto Firmino win it for Liverpool on Saturday. He was heavily linked with United until Louis van Gaal changed his mind.
LIVERPOOL: If I'm perfectly honest, I don't see many match winners in their squad. Rooney has never given us many problems and, despite impressing against weak European opposition, Depay is much like Firmino - looks quality but is still finding his feet.
The only outfield player that scares me, on his day, is Mata but the biggest worry is De Gea. If he starts then putting a couple of goals past them becomes about 5 times harder and you can see them sneaking a flukey win. Fingers crossed he stays out of favour!
8. A win would relieve a huge amount of pressure on either manager. But which manager will be in the biggest trouble if they to lose?
UNITED: Brendan Rodgers is already in trouble. This week I’ve seen more and more Liverpool fans calling for Jorgen Klopp. There’s nothing like that famous Anfield support getting behind their manager, who they’d once convince you was the best thing since sliced pan.
LIVERPOOL: I hate to say this about a Liverpool manager but the pressure is all on Rodgers. May seem harsh considering it's at Old Trafford but the defeat to West Ham exposed those old failings that he's repeatedly failed to address.
A defeat of any kind leaves us further behind the top 4 and the aim of Champions League football becomes harder still. Rodgers needs, not just a positive result, but a positive performance.
Anything less and Klopp's name starts trending again.
9. If you were manager, who would you pick and what would your tactics be?
UNITED: I'll leave the selection to our main man but if I had to greet the players there would be very little talking involved. They’re United players and should already understand this fixture requires fight. No pulling out of challenges and kick that lot into next week.
LIVERPOOL: I'd personally go with what a few Reds players have said this week - go for the throat. We have plenty of attacking options and we have to relieve any pressure on our defence.
With Coutinho out I'd start Ings and go for two up front, providing Benteke is fit, with heavy emphasis on attack. That said, Lucas has to start. Games like this are what he excels at.
If we go there for a tactical or defensive battle we'll probably come up short again, against a manager who likes to keep it tight.
10. Prediction for Saturday?
UNITED: 2-0 United.
LIVERPOOL: I'm usually the eternal optimist but it all went out the window at Anfield a couple of weeks ago.
That said, I'll never predict a defeat so I'll got for 2-1 Liverpool with a very unexpected match winner.
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