Liverpool legend Mark Lawrenson has dismissed any talk that with the Reds missing Sadio Mane through injury and Manchester United without Marouane Fellaini, the respective losses have cancelled each other out.
Mane hurt his hamstring while on international duty with Senegal, while Fellaini injured his knee with Belgium over the international break – both will miss the game between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield on Saturday.
It was suggested to Lawrenson on LFC TV that both sides have lost key men and as such the losses could balance each other out.
But Lawrenson rejected the suggestion and insists that while Fellaini is simply a nuisance, Mane is a top player.
"Fellaini is actually better than a lot of people give him credit for", Lawrenson said.
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"I would call him a nuisance player.
"[But] Mane is just a top, top player", he added.
Fellaini has scored four goals in eight appearances for Manchester United in all competitions this season and has now accumulated a total of 141 appearances for the Red Devils, despite being much criticised at times.
Mane meanwhile has netted three times in nine appearances for Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool.
