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Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher reckons the Reds need to splash out another £100million to get back among the Premier League title chasers.

Brendan Rodgers' side travel to Old Trafford on Sunday in a crisis, having been knocked out of the Champions League in midweek and sitting ninth in the Premier League table.

In his Daily Mail column, Carragher discusses the contrasting fortunes of the two great rivals ahead of this weekend's derby of the North West.

He writes: "In adding Angel di Maria and Luke Shaw, United bought the better players. Liverpool may have spent more than £100million but where has it left them? And when will they be able to lavish such a figure again?

"Looking at them now, you feel they need another £100m spending just to improve."

In pictures: Liverpool train ahead of Manchester United match

Carragher feels Liverpool have let United off the hook after enjoying undoubted dominance over the red side of Manchester last season.

However, he also outlines how difficult it will be for the Anfield club to enjoy a sustained period of superiority over United, because of the financial situations at the two clubs.

He continued: "Once you begin to examine the respective finances of both clubs, you see the extent of the power behind United. Their recently published accounts showed they brought in revenue of £433.2m in 2013-14.

"Liverpool's, by comparison, was £206.1m."

In pictures: The last time the two sides met

English football's two most successful clubs certainly head into Sunday's clash in differing veins of form.

United have recovered from an indifferent start to record five straight Premier League victories, despite managing with a patched up defence.

Liverpool, on the other hand, drew 0-0 with Sunderland last time out in the league, and suffered that crushing elimination from the European Cup in midweek after a 1-1 stalemate with Basel.