SAM Allardyce paid the ultimate compliment to all-conquering Liverpool ahead of tonight's Reebok showdown when he admitted: "I'd rather be playing Manchester United!"

The Anfield Reds have had a hectic three weeks in which they have added the FA Charity Shield and European Super Cup to last season's fantastic treble as well as having to qualify for the Champions League.

And that, the Wanderers' boss believes, has given them a distinct advantage over their Premiership rivals.

"They've started sooner than everyone else and they are well in the groove," he explained. "This is the toughest game we could have at this juncture.

"Having been to see Manchester United against Fulham and seeing them on television against Blackburn, they've been conceding goals and this might be a good time to be playing them.

"But Liverpool ... I can't think of a more difficult game at this moment in time."

Pitting his wits against Gerard Houllier represents the most demanding duel of Allardyce's burgeoning managerial career and, despite describing it as "just another big game" he is under no illusions of the size of the task Wanderers face as they look to build on their own flying start.

"Everybody knows what they are - a fantastic side," he acknowledged of the Anfield giants after seeing them beat Bayern Munich on Friday to add the Super Cup to their array of glittering prizes.

"Five trophies in a year proves that. Gerard is building a foundation for the club and you can see an inbred confidence the players are getting from winning so many trophies.

"That's how it looked on Friday when they beat the Champions of Europe quite comfortably. They played with no fear, compared to the first couple of finals they played in last season."