Kenny Dalglish plays down Sir Alex Ferguson rift

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has played down any personal rivalry with Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson ahead of their sides' clash this weekend.

The two managers, who first met in the dugout over 20 years ago, come head to head again at Anfield on Saturday, but Dalglish has said that the two teams are more important.

"I don't have any individual contest with Fergie," he said.

"These are football clubs that are playing - we don't play anymore. We can't influence anything other than what we do in the build-up and preparation for the games.

"The most important thing for us is how we compete on the pitch as a team. Head to head (against Ferguson)? I wouldn't have a clue what the score is in that and it doesn't really matter to me."

Liverpool enter the match in fifth place in the Premier League table, while United are top on goal difference.