Manchester United vs Liverpool: Radamel Falcao, Daniel Sturridge, Mario Balotelli - an XI of non-starters today

There were some key absentees in the starting XI's today

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Radamel Falcao in action against Stoke (Getty Images)

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One of the Premier League's great fixtures, Manchester United versus Liverpool kicked off today, but it was evident in the eagerly-awaited team news the amount of star names absent in either starting XI.

LIVE: Man Utd vs Liverpool latest

Combining the two starting XIs today, there is arguably a stronger XI of just injured and dropped players.

Summer additions such as Marcos Rojo, Radamel Falcao, Daley Blind and Mario Balotelli all miss out, as does Liverpool's talisman, Daniel Sturridge.

GALLERY: The non-starting Man Utd-Liverpool XI

United burst out of the traps in the contest at Old Trafford, going 2-0 up in the first half after goals from Wayne Rooney and Juan Mata.

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Manchester United vs Liverpool: Radamel Falcao, Daniel Sturridge, Mario Balotelli - an XI of non-starters today

There were some key absentees in the starting XI's today

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LIVE: Man Utd vs Liverpool latest

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