Erik ten Hag says Manchester United will relish the white-hot atmosphere of Anfield on Sunday, but admits his players will have to 'suffer and sacrifice' to beat old rivals Liverpool.

It will be Ten Hag's first visit as United manager but the Dutchman has been there before and knows what is lying in wait for his players.

'I've been to Anfield, yeah, I'm looking forward to it – the ambience, the atmosphere,' said Ten Hag. 'It will be great, it will be hostile against us, but we like that.

'Away from home, I think we've had some really good performances. For me it's no different. The pitch is the same size everywhere, there are three referees, there's a fourth (official), the ball is round, there is air in the ball, eh?

'So we have to play and to make it our game. Of course, we know the ambience will not be supporting us and you have to deal with that. But, as I said, our players, they like it. They like to play in such atmospheres.

Erik ten Hag is ready for his first trip to Anfield as Red Devils boss when Manchester United travel to their fierce rivals on Sunday

'It's a test. We're facing Liverpool, we're really looking forward to it and I know these players, my squad, my team, will be prepared to go there and fight and to go there with confidence. We know it's going to be difficult. 

'We know we will have to suffer and we will have to sacrifice to get a good result.'

United go into the game 10 points ahead of Liverpool in the Premier League table, but Ten Hag was reluctant to focus on the problems at Anfield this season.

'I'm not talking about Liverpool, it's not my responsibility,' he said. 'I have enough to do here at Carrington, I have enough to do with Manchester United, so I have to deal with the performance of Manchester United and that's all I am aware of and where I am putting all of my efforts in.

'We are still in the season now. It's always a pattern, never does it always go so consistently in a way like this (points upwards). 

'It's fluid and I am sure Liverpool have a really good management, a really good playing philosophy, and a really good strategy.

'So no, I don't think so. We are aware of that, but once again, we are not talking about other clubs. 

'We are talking about us and I think we are in a good direction, and with our philosophy, strategy and culture, we have to keep making progress. It's all about that.'

United expect to have Luke Shaw back after injury and Jadon Sancho could return after missing the FA Cup win over West Ham in midweek through illness, but Anthony Martial is still unavailable.