Heavyweights in knockout clash

8216;8216;We were playing away then but now are at home and that is going to give us an advantage8217;8217;, Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez said. 8216;8216;It8217;s a difficult game for us but if you are to win trophies you have to play and beat the best teams in the competition.8217;8217;

Their last FA Cup meeting in January 1999 ended in dramatic fashion when goals by Dwight Yorke and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the 88th and 90th minutes gave United a 2-1 win at Old Trafford.

United8217;s Welsh winger Ryan Giggs, who played in that match, hopes to be fit as Alex Ferguson8217;s team continue their bid for a record 12th FA Cup. 8216;8216;It8217;s a game I don8217;t want to miss. United-Liverpool is one of the biggest games we play8217;8217;, said Giggs. 8220;There8217;s a lot at stake with the rivalry but a place in the next round is vital.8217;8217;

Anfield will have prepared a warm welcome for United captain Gary Neville, who ran the length of the pitch to celebrate Ferdinand8217;s goal in front of the Liverpool fans by screaming, clutching his shirt and pointing to his club badge.