There's a growing sense that this weekend's Liverpool vs Manchester United showdown might not be the classic we've come to expect—and Alan Shearer is the latest to weigh in with a cautious prediction.

Both sides are sitting pretty in the race for Champions League qualification, but the usual edge that defines this rivalry feels a little dulled this season. Shearer, the Premier League's all-time top scorer with 260 goals, didn't mince words when he shared his thoughts via Metro.

"It's not the Liverpool or Man United we know at all from how they have played this season," he said. That sentiment captures the mood perfectly. While Liverpool have strung together three straight wins, the performances haven't always been convincing. United, meanwhile, have shown similar inconsistencies, making this clash feel more like a chess match than a fireworks display.

Shearer went on to question whether the game would live up to its billing. "I don't think it'll be a classic," he admitted. "Because of where both teams are mentally and physically, and also in terms of where they are in the league." His prediction? A draw—and he's not alone in that thinking. "I don't think a draw would be a bad result for both of them," he added.

That view is becoming a recurring theme. Opta's supercomputer has flagged this as the most likely stalemate of the weekend, and Jamie Carragher recently confessed he couldn't see either side fully convincing. From a Liverpool perspective, it's easy to see why. With Mo Salah potentially sidelined and Alexander Isak still finding his rhythm after a goal against Crystal Palace, there are question marks in attack. United have their own issues too, despite sitting above Liverpool in the table.

All of this points to a game that could be decided by fine margins rather than a classic, high-scoring thriller. For fans, it might be a tense, tactical battle—one where a single moment could make all the difference.