Liverpool have not beaten Manchester United [Images] in the FA Cup for 85 years but are confident the drought will end in the fifth round on Saturday at Anfield.

That barren run spans nine cup ties, including the 1996 final when Eric Cantona's late volley clinched the double for United, and the latest episode is sure to be as passionate an affair as any final.

"Games against United are always big ones for players to play in and I'm sure it's going to be a great game on Saturday," said Liverpool's European Cup-winning keeper Jerzy Dudek.

"It hurt losing to them in the last minute at Old Trafford last month so hopefully we can make amends this time."

Rio Ferdinand's 90th minute winner at Old Trafford in their 1-0 Premier League victory was the latest instalment in one of the great rivalries in domestic club football.

"We were playing away then but now are at home and that is going to give us an advantage," Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez said after the fifth round draw.

"It'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."

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.

United's Welsh winger Ryan Giggs, who played in the 1996 final and that 1999 fourth round tie, hopes to be fit as Alex Ferguson's team continue their bid for a record 12th FA Cup.

"It's a game I don't want to miss. United-Liverpool is one of the biggest games we play," said Giggs. "There's a lot at stake (with the rivalry) but a place in the next round is vital.

"We want to win every competition we are in (but) the FA Cup is special, especially to this club because we have won it so many times," he told United's web site.

The 32-year-old Giggs, who has played in 53 FA Cup matches, added: "They have always been tight games with only a goal separating them. I think it will be the same on Saturday. A mistake or a bit of magic can win or lose you the game."

WARM WELCOME

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

The England [Images] fullback was charged by the FA for improper conduct but he has denied the charge and will have a personal hearing next week.

United's hopes of extending their 85-year unbeaten run could rest on the shoulders of Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy [Images], who is two goals short of 150 for the club.

"It is a target I would love to achieve and to score two goals against Liverpool would be fantastic," Van Nistelrooy told the club's web site as he bids to become only the seventh United player to reach that target.

"With the Liverpool game and then the Carling (League) Cup final against Wigan (on Sunday February 26), we have two massive games coming up. Against Liverpool we will need to play well for the entire 90 minutes. Our performance cannot drop."

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