Liverpool’s woes this season have come through a number of key injuries, with Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip all out for the season.

As well as their defence being sidelined, other important members of the squad have been plagued by injuries too.

Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, Alisson, Diogo Jota and Trent Alexander-Arnold have all faced spells out of the side.

It has seen their title defence fall apart and the Reds now face a battle to stay in the top four.

With Manchester City 19 points ahead of them, Liverpool’s chances of retaining their crown are virtually zero.

Instead, Jurgen Klopp must get his side back in form with them sitting sixth in the table – five points behind fourth-placed West Ham.

Former United boss Ferguson had similar issues with injuries back in 2012 during what is now remembered as one of the most dramatic title chases in the history of English football.

The Red Devils suffered more problems in the physio room than any other side that year in the Premier League, losing a collected 1681 days to injuries.

All in all, United had 39 significant injuries whereas Manchester City had the least with seven.

At the time, Ferguson said: “There have been some changes in the team from the one that started the season.

“You don’t envisage having quite so many injuries.

“Everyone was fresh at the start. We had been through a brilliant pre-season in the States with not one injury. Then you are hit with a little list.

“It doesn’t disrupt us to a great degree but it does unsettle the balance of the team.

“Sometimes we are having to rethink which team to play whereas when the team is in full flow you don’t need to worry.”

However, as everyone now knows – United went on to lose that title race, which went down to the last second on the final day as Sergio Aguero scored the winner against QPR – yet, Liverpool would probably chomp your hand off if they could run Pep Guardiola’s men that close right now.