Soccer: 'I have always hated Liverpool' says Rooney

Wayne Rooney is never one to disguise his relish at putting one over on Liverpool and, with Internazionale out of the way, he upped the temperature ahead of the two sides' title showdown tomorrow by serving a reminder that he "hates" the club as much as he ever did.

"I'm very excited about the game because I grew up as an Everton fan, hating Liverpool, and that hasn't changed," Rooney said with a grin and an accompanying declaration that victory over Rafael Benitez's side would extinguish a Merseyside title bid.

"They know in coming to Old Trafford that it's going to be a difficult game for them," Rooney added. "We're in pole position in the title race and we know if we can beat them then that'll more or less end their chances of winning the league."

Rio Ferdinand was more diplomatic, drawing attention to Liverpool's 4-0 win over Real Madrid at Anfield as he discussed the prospect of extending the gap at the top of the table to 10 points, with a game in hand and 10 to play after tomorrow's lunchtime kick-off.

"They've had a good week, getting a great result against Real Madrid," Ferdinand said. "We're in for a tough game with a great atmosphere, a different entity altogether [compared to Inter], and one we can't wait for. Could it end their title chances? Possibly, yeah, but we still have games after that to win. "

Key to Liverpool's hopes is Javier Mascherano, who was sent off by Alan Wiley in last season's corresponding fixture after an extraordinary display of petulance. The way Mascherano berated the Belgian referee Frank de Bleeckere after he was booked for kicking a ball away on Tuesday evening bore direct comparisons with last season's Old Trafford match, though the 24-year-old Argentine insisted yesterday that he had learned from his mistakes.

"I made a mistake last season and it was a very sad day for me," he said. "But now I have learned the lessons and I know that it will not happen again. Now I am just trying to play for my team and I try not to talk anymore with the referees."

Liverpool are unhappy with De Bleeckere's decision as replays appear to show that Mascherano kicked the ball as the official was blowing his whistle, not afterwards. The midfielder will miss the first leg of Liverpool's Champions League quarter-final.

United have lost just one game in 31 in all competitions stretching back four months and yesterday Ryan Giggs became the first of their players to suggest they may now clinch an historic quintuple.

He said: "With the run of results we've had the belief is definitely there within the squad, with individuals in good form, and the team generally in good form.

"Our goal [has always been] not only to win the Champions League, but to defend it because no other team has done that."

Giggs returned to his old stamping ground of the left wing against Inter, a role he felt was behind him, but one he is ready to revive.

"With Patrice [Evra] behind me, he is an attacking full back who helps me out," Giggs added. "I obviously don't play like I did 10 years ago, but Pat helps me in that respect. I never thought I'd be on the wing again."

- THE INDEPENDENT