Mikael Silvestre has revealed the hate-filled atmosphere at Anfield makes playing Liverpool feel like a trip “to hell” for Manchester United stars.

But the five-time Premier League winner and former Old Trafford defender believes there's no better place for United to test their title credentials than in Saturday lunchtime's bitter showdown.

French star Silvestre made his United debut at Anfield the day after signing for Sir Alex Ferguson in 1999.

United's dramatic 3-2 win on enemy territory eighteen years ago is a day etched on his memory.

And he's convinced if Mourinho's stars pull off victory against Jurgen Klopp's side it'll do wonders for their belief.

“You feel like you’re going to hell," says Silverstre, speaking exclusively to 888sport.

"You are not welcome and you can feel the hate for sure.

Silvestre with former United teammates Louis Saha and Ruud van Nistelrooy (
Image:
Reuters)

“It’s a hostile environment but it’s a good occasion to see how you react in adversity. It’s the best place to win games.”

So far, joint table-toppers United haven't come up against one of the Premier League's big guns.

And although Liverpool have the attacking firepower to destroy any defence Silvestre reckons Klopp's Fab Four front men aren't world class – and trail £75 million Romelu Lukaku and teenager Marcus Rashford in pure goal threat.

“They are good players but hardly world class yet” said Silvestre talking exclusively to 888sport.

“Over the course of the ninety minutes you would expect Liverpool to make some chances because they are talented.

“But there is not one goal-machine from Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane – ruled out with a hamstring injury – or Philippe Coutinho.

“They are missing that clinical goalscorer because at the end of the day it is that player who is the one you have to be worried about, the one you expect to finish20-25 times a season.

“Unlike United and Lukaku, Liverpool don’t have one yet. United are going to be tested but I think they can control these guys.

Silvestre in action for United at Anfield (
Image:
Daily Mirror)

“If I was a Liverpool fan I’d be more worried about strikers facing their defence than United. Especially Lukaku and Rashford.

“The problem with Liverpool is when they lose possession they don’ t protect the back four so they are exposed to one v one on many occasions. That’s because they expend so much energy going forward as a unit.”

Silvestre finds United's new found attacking emphasis under Mourinho a huge plus saying: “It's a surprise the number of goals they're scoring because the Premier League is a tough league so I’m delighted to see that.

“So far they haven't not played any of the top six so that is something to take into consideration.

“But right now their momentum is positive so there is a lot of hope and expectation. Their objective now is to hurt the opposition in a quicker way and there are more penetrative passes and runs.”

Lukaku's mega-money switch from Everton to Old Trafford in the summer has once again given United a striker to be feared.

The 24-year-old star, who was on target for Belgium against Cyprus on Tuesday, has scored seven in his last six games for United.

And Silvestre claims even though Zlatan Ibrahimovic is on the way back, Lukaku can beat Cristiano Ronaldo's ten year old Premier League scoring record at United.

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Ronaldo scored 31 League goals in the 2007-8 season – and a total of 42 in all competitions for Ferguson's side that campaign.

“Lukaku can beat Ronaldo’s scoring record in season one” says the Frenchman. “It would be a big statement, personally for Romelu and the team as well.

“It would mean a lot and obviously mean they are in the race for the title. We are just in October and a lot can happen until the end but he can carry on scoring.”

“Clearly the number one striker is Romelu but then the bench – and especially Zlatan – can have a big impact if you are still fighting for the four trophies.

“There will be a time when Romelu needs to rest because so far he’s played in every game. Zlatan will have a role to play but obviously not as much as last season.

“If you are United, City, Tottenham, Liverpool, Chelsea or Arsenal you need two high quality strikers if you want to win the Premier League.”

With Rashford, United have three – and Silvestre believes the 19-year-old England star has had a Rooney-style impact in the early part of his career.

Silvestre has hailed Rashford (
Image:
Getty)

“Rashford’s impact is not far off Wayne’s. I think in terms of maturity Wayne was a little more advanced.

“But quality wise and in his mentality and the desire to work hard while staying humble Marcus is the same.

“I love the fact that he’s taking free-kicks. That means a lot. He is surrounded by more experienced, technical players.

“But he’s stepping in which shows that behind closed doors he’s working on them and has the respect from everyone from the manager down in his ability.

“At nearly 20 years old to do that at United is a big testament to his character”.

Even if Liverpool fail to beat United, however, Silvestre isn'twriting them off.

“Even if United win it’s too early to say this because Liverpool have the quality to string together a long run and it’s still only October. So it’s too early to bury Liverpool.”

Read the full 888sport interview with Mikael Silvestre, including his thoughts on the one player better than Paul Scholes in his time at Manchester United .

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