Steven: Respect them, but don't fear United

Gerrard will face the Red Devils for the 33rd time in his illustrious Anfield career when the two bitter rivals lock horns in the day's early Barclays Premier League kick-off.

Liverpool currently sit 11 points clear of United in the standings; however, the Reds' skipper has warned his teammates they can expect a typically intense and testing trial at the home of the reigning champions.

In an in-depth and relaxed interview with Sky Sports, previewing the big game, Gerrard went into detail on today's clash, as well as how he's currently thriving in his new holding role, touching on the prospect of playing on for years.

We've picked out the best bits of Gerrard's interview for you to browse through below.

On Liverpool's performances so far this season...

We haven't surprised ourselves. I think we've surprised all the outsiders and the neutrals. But we finished last season really strongly. Our form in the last six months was up there with Champions League form. So we certainly haven't surprised ourselves. We've strengthened in a couple of areas and Brendan has done a fantastic job, gelling the team together and putting plans and tactics into place on the pitch. It's a strange feeling at the moment. We've done fantastically well to this point, but we're also well aware that it could easily fall apart.

On his own season so far and fitness levels...

I've been good [fitness-wise] for a couple of years now. I had a career-threatening injury in my groin in 2010, which was well documented. But since I've had that fixed, I've had a great run. So fingers crossed. I'm feeling strong and healthy. I'm enjoying my football. I've had a bit of a positional change of late, but it's not alien to me. I've played the position many, many times and it's something that the manager spoke to me about on the first day that he came in. When I met him and we had our first chat, he told me that he saw me continuing to do what I had been doing, but he said that eventually he would change me into a holding midfielder. And that's what's been happening of late, but I'm enjoying it.

On playing in different positions...

I feel as if this position can help me a lot and it can keep me about for a lot longer, which is what I want to do - I want to enjoy the remaining years of my career. I feel really comfortable in there. I think it suits my game, where I am at and my age. With experience, and being a bit older, I look back at the likes of Gerard Houllier and Rafa Benitez and other managers who played me out of position, and I can see they certainly helped me with my career and helped make me the player I am today. The conversation I had with Brendan over this position change gave me a big boost.

On the mechanics of his new role...

Playing in this position, you do an awful lot less high-speed running. It's more about side-to-side and short bursts, rather than long box-to-box runs. There have been times throughout my career where, if I've been playing as an attacking midfielder or a No.10, playing three games in six days, it's difficult to reach those high distance numbers. In this position and the way I'm feeling; how strong I'm feeling, I feel as though I could play four a week. I'll just take every week as it comes, but I'm enjoying it now just as much as when I made my debut. That's the key for me.

On the importance of today's game against Manchester United...

It's the No.1 game of the season alongside the Merseyside derby. This is the fixture that you look out for when the list comes out in June. They're our big rivals. They've had a bit of a difficult time of late, but we'll certainly go in there showing them a lot of respect. They've got world-class players and we know that if they click, on any given day, they can beat anyone as well. It's a 50-50 game, but we're certainly going into it very confident.

On walking out at Old Trafford...

I think it's more about looking at what we've got. There have been times when I have gone to Old Trafford and they've had clearly better players and a better team. But we have a gap on them and we're playing better than them and I think player for player we can more than match them. We've got nothing to fear. Yes, their fans are there, but they don't kick the ball. We're used to all the banter that they've given us over the years, so it's water of a duck's back for me. It's a 50-50 game and whoever plays better on the day will win it.

On Manchester United memories...

I think the 4-1 at Old Trafford in March 2009 [was my favourite]. I've won quite a few games against Manchester United, home and way, but to go there and beat United 4-1 and to get on the score-sheet, and the way we controlled and dominated them from start to finish, was the dream result away from home.

Watch the video here »