Wayne Rooney believes the Premier League match against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday is Manchester United's biggest away game of the season.

As a lifelong Evertonian the trip is always likely to ignite the United striker's passions. "Obviously, Liverpool away is a massive game," Rooney said. "Probably our biggest of the season. It won't decide the title but it is a chance to put some daylight between us."

United currently boast a six-point advantage over Liverpool, although Rafael Benitez's team have a game in hand and are in excellent form. Rooney watched Liverpool's 4-0 destruction of Marseilles on television and admitted he was impressed. "They did very well and got an excellent result," he said. "They are scoring a lot of goals but probably the best thing we can do is concentrate on our job rather than worry about them."

Rooney has fully recovered from the freak ankle injury he suffered in training last month and the broken foot he sustained in the opening game of the campaign against Reading and is desperate to play matches. "I have missed enough football this season already," he said. "I didn't want to miss any more, so it was good for me to have a run-out.

"With each game you get fitter and I'm feeling good now. Hopefully the break I've had could help me towards the end of the season."

Louis Saha has also returned to full fitness after a knee injury and is looking forward to the trip to Anfield after United's 1-0 victory there last season. "Without doubt, it is the most intense atmosphere for a Manchester United player," he said. "I have played there a few times now but the win we had there last season was amazing. That is one of the greatest feelings I have ever had as a footballer.

"My main memory of last season is that the win at Liverpool kick-started us towards the title. It proved we were strong enough. We are going there much earlier in the season this time and there is still a long road ahead. But it does give us a chance to show exactly how good we are."