Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren has claimed that he and his teammates are full of "confidence" ahead of Thursday's "special" Europa League match against Manchester United.

The arch rivals will go head to head for the first time in a European competition this week when United travel to Anfield for the first leg of their last-16 tie.

Liverpool, who have conceded just two goals in their last six games, head into the match with back-to-back victories over Manchester City and Crystal Palace under their belts.

"We are in good form so we have a lot of confidence and we just need to keep continuing to play like this and the result will come," Lovren told the club's official website.

"It's an important game because it's a Europa League match and we want to go to the final. It's a special game because it's a derby and it's always great to beat Manchester United.

"They have individual players who can score whenever they want so we just need to be concentrated."

Liverpool have lost to United in their last four meetings.