Steven Gerrard insists Liverpool should relish their Capital One Cup tie with Manchester United next month after the rivals were paired together in Wednesday's third-round draw.

The teams will meet at Old Trafford in September in the game of the round - and Gerrard feels the Reds can make the short journey down the East Lancs Road confident of progression.

The captain told Liverpoolfc.com: "It doesn't get any tougher - but it doesn't get any more exciting, either.

"We shouldn't fear going to Old Trafford and playing them in the cup, we should be looking forward to it and relishing it.

"We've started the season really well. We took our foot off the gas against Notts County after 45 minutes and were nearly punished for it, but luckily enough we've come through, we were in the pot and we've drawn Man United.

"It's certainly something me and all the players are looking forward to. It's a great opportunity for us to beat them in their own backyard, so I'm really excited."

Gerrard is a veteran of Liverpool versus Manchester United fixtures, with the midfielder likely to make his 31st appearance in them in Sunday's Barclays Premier League fixture at Anfield.

Explaining what makes the contest so unique, he said: "You've got the two most successful clubs in the country and the rivalry is huge because of how close the clubs are and all the massive games and battles we've had with them over the years.

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"If you ask any supporter or player to pick a game they'd like to win, you look for Manchester United.

"It's a huge game and one we're looking forward to. We'll have a lot of support down there because they'll have to give us more tickets.

"We'll certainly go there full of confidence because we're really happy at the moment and playing some good stuff."

Steven Gerrard was speaking at a promotion for the Hugh McAuley Soccer School. The Steven Gerrard Foundation and Knowsley council together funded the Hugh McAuley Soccer School and once a year the foundation and Knowsley council help provide funds for McAuley to take a soccer school in Huyton.