Robbie Fowler shocked by Liverpool criticism ahead of Manchester United game

Robbie Fowler has backed Liverpool to silence their critics when they take on Manchester United at Old Trafford this Sunday.

United head into the game on the back of five successive wins in the Premier League, while the pressure is on Brendan Rodgers to improve Liverpool's fortunes after his side were knocked out of the Champions League following a 1-1 draw with Basel on Tuesday night.

However, Fowler believes that the recent performances of the two rivals will be forgotten, and he believes that his former club has what it takes to prove their doubters wrong in the battle to reach the top four.

"I know they've been written off, and they'll say themselves it hasn't been good enough so far this season – there's no escaping from that," the former England and Liverpool striker told The Mirror. "I'm amazed though that people have dismissed them already.

"United know more than anyone what Liverpool can do at Old Trafford – they've won there often enough in the last decade or so, and last season was one of the best performances in the Premier League.

"There's no better place to do that, because if you can get a result – and it doesn't matter how you do it – then it sets you up."

Liverpool are currently ninth in the table, seven points behind United.