Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has stoked the fire ahead of today's match against Liverpool by declaring that he is shocked by Liverpool's league position in recent seasons.

Brendan Rodgers's side travel to Old Trafford this afternoon trailing the league leaders by 21 points in eighth place.

Ferguson has admitted that he is surprised by the changing landscape of the top flight and revealed that he is only interested in checking Manchester City's results as the title race hots up.

He told reporters: "I never even thought about that until it was mentioned on TV.

"Of course it's a surprise. Last year we were 30 points ahead of Arsenal and I'd never have believed that in a million years. If you look at the rivalry over the last 20-odd years it's quite amazing.

"I don't really look at that. I look at that mob that's behind us, the team that's directly behind us, Their programme, who they've got next. I do that all the time."

Ferguson also declared that the lack of Champions League football at Anfield in the last few years has stopped Liverpool mounting a challenge at the top of the table.