When Liverpool and Manchester United meet at Anfield on Sunday , there will not be a single local lad starting in this iconic fixture for the first time in the Premier League era . April 26 1992 , the final time the two sides met in the old Division One , was the last time no player in Liverpool 's starting XI was born within 30 miles of Anfield or a United player within the same distance from Old Trafford . In the 53 league and cup meetings since , the likes of Steven Gerrard - likely to start from the bench on Sunday - Jamie Carragher , Steve McManaman and Robbie Fowler have starred for Liverpool , while United 's local lads have included Paul Scholes , Gary and Phil Neville , Nicky Butt and Danny Welbeck . Steven Gerrard looks dejected in defeat after Liverpool were beaten 3-0 by Manchester United last December . Local lad James Wilson also started that game for Manchester United . Manchester-born Danny Welbeck tackled by Gerrard at Anfield last season . Jamie Carragher ( left ) and Gary Nevill during a game at Old Trafford in March 2010 . Wayne Rooney , a designated Scouser , does n't count ( although he was born less than four miles from Anfield ) , while Ryan Giggs is also excluded as he was born in Wales . Back in April 1992 , when Liverpool won 2-0 at home , there were 11 English players on the pitch , but none born within 30 miles of either stadium . In fact , the closest on that day was Rob Jones , born 31 miles from Anfield - but in Wales . While Lancashire lad Mike Phelan , born 29 miles from Old Trafford , came off the bench that day for United . Liverpool 's Robbie Fowler is sent tumbling by Manchester United 's Nicky Butt in March 2001 . Liverpool players Michael Owen ( left ) , Fowler ( centre ) and Steve McManaman celebrate after beating Newcastle in the League Cup in January 1998 . Ryan Giggs of Manchester United goes past Liverpool 's Jonjo Shelvey in January 2011 . In the most recent encounter between the two sides , a 3-0 home win for United in December , both clubs featured a local lad from the start . Gerrard began the game for Liverpool , while James Wilson , born in Staffordshire 27.5 miles away from Old Trafford , was selected by Louis van Gaal . Like Gerrard , there is also a possibility that Wilson and Tyler Blackett - also born in Manchester - could feature on Sunday . Jon Flanagan , meanwhile , will return at some stage from injury to boost the Reds ' Scouse contingent . But with the departure of Welbeck from United last summer , and Gerrard leaving Liverpool at the end of the season , the chances are that the trend of no local lads starting the biggest game in English football will continue for a little while longer .
Steven Gerrard is set to start on the bench for Liverpool on Sunday . It means no local player ( born within 31 miles of their stadium ) will start for either side in this game for the first time in 23 years . Manchester United travel to face Liverpool in the Premier League . James Wilson and Tyler Blackett could be on the bench for United .