Man. United vs Liverpool games are why I am here, says Ferguson

Manchester United's games against Liverpool are the ones Alex Ferguson still looks forward to most, United's manager said ahead of today's Premier League meeting between the two rival sides.

The game at Old Trafford has added spice as a win for the European champions would see them leapfrog United into second in the table.

"This is the game I look forward to the most. It reflects to me the very reason for being here," Ferguson told reporters.

"I knew what my job was when I came here and that was to overcome the challenge of Liverpool and we did it."

"Maybe the players look at it differently, maybe the fans look at it differently, maybe Liverpool look at it differently - but for me it still has a special significance," the Scot said.

Ferguson took over at United in 1986 when Liverpool still dominated the English game, winning their last league title in 1990. In 1993, United won their first title under Ferguson.

The Scot believes United's rivalry with Liverpool is the biggest in English football, although he says the games are less violent than in the past.

"When I first came down here, there were people like Norman Whiteside and Steve McMahon and there were meaty games," he said. "Since the Premiership started (in the 1992-93 season) I can't remember a game like that.

"There have been players sent off, and it's never been short of controversy and incident, but never a game where I've thought that was a really physical match.

"Both sets of players have respected the importance of the game and played it in the right spirit," he added.

Midfielder Paul Scholes will miss today's match after failing to recover from the blurred vision affecting him since December 28, when he received a bang to the head during United's 2-2 draw at Birmingham City.

Meanwhile, Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez wants to match Ferguson's exploits by building a new empire at Anfield.

The Spanish coach comes up against the Scot in today's game already boasting a Champions League win in his first season with Liverpool.

He now wants to build on that success and emulate Ferguson, who has also won the European Cup as well as eight league titles, five FA Cups and the European Cup Winners' Cup.

"I would like to be here for 20 years winning a lot of trophies like he has won at Manchester United," Benitez said.

While he has to overcome the challenge of Premier League champions Chelsea, Benitez has already closed the gap on United.

Last season Liverpool finished 19 points behind Ferguson's side, but a win today will lift them ahead of United with two games in hand.

"I'm happy with the situation this year because, it is true, last season we finished too far away from them," Benitez said.