Smalling: Liverpool Is The One For United

Chris Smalling has no doubt that the trip to Liverpool is the one when it comes to Manchester United and there is no better place than Anfield to win.

The defender, who has been captaining the Reds of late, is aware of the challenge the in-form Merseysiders will pose on Monday but is fully aware of the supporters' desire to make it five Premier League victories in a row over the club's fiercest rivals.

"Yeah, it is the one," Smalling told MUTV. "Even when I first joined up here, they all mentioned that obviously you know about City and United. But Liverpool - this is the one. With the way the rivalry has brewed over the years because it's been so competitive, it was stressed to me and especially the new lads now how important this fixture is.

"They have always been tough games. I think even in the last one [in January], they probably played far better than us but we took our chance. We know they're a high-pressing team and we're not going to get much time on the ball, so we need to be prepared for that.

"It's not easy, especially for us defenders, because they make it very difficult for us to play out. Quite often, against some teams, we can be quite relaxed and have a lot of the ball but Liverpool are a high-energy pressing team and, even when you win it back, they can be at their most dangerous, as they're right at you. If you don't move it on, you're going to get tackled. It's a very difficult job for us midfielders and defenders to make sure we dictate the play.

"All week, we'll be working on tactics and quite often, in the first 15 minutes, the plans can go right out of the window until the game settles down," he added. "It's one of those where we must keep a cool head and implement our game plan to exert pressure on them."

Smalling appreciates the rarefied atmosphere in front of an increased capacity at Anfield will add to the sense of occasion for both teams.

"It is intense," he said. "It's 100 miles per hour. It's one of those where the manager has stressed again this week we need to keep our emotions in check because even players who haven't been at United long know how important this fixture is. It's about controlling our emotions and keeping all our men on the pitch. It's a game where I think you need to play to your maximum.

"Quite often on the pitch, you're trying to call to the midfielders to say there is a man there but it's so loud and the atmosphere is so alive, it's just your blood flowing through your body that makes it hard to control those emotions."

The classy centre-back was asked if there is any better place to win as a Manchester United player. "No," he replied. "There's definitely not. I've been lucky enough to win there a couple of times and it's a great feeling when you make all those fans happy as we've done our jobs and can go back to Manchester with a smile on our faces."