The Big Interview / Ralph Ellis / 23 October 2009 / Leave a comment

With the big game at Anfield on Sunday, Betfair thought we'd look at the roots of the hottest rivalry in English football. So we headed off to meet new Darlington manager Steve Staunton who was playing for Liverpool back when they ruled the football roost and Sir Alex Ferguson still hadn't won a title.

"What I do know is that when you get a team with the quality of Liverpool in a bad run, that’s when they will be at their most dangerous."

Hi Steve, and first of all congratulations on your first win with Darlington

Thanks, to be honest while we were delighted with three points I was just as pleased about the way we got them. We defended better than we had done, and given the team had not been scoring many goals it was really pleasing to get a couple - especially after going a goal down after two minutes. It was a good performance all round

You are still 92nd in the League - it's a brave job to have taken

Actually I don't agree. We're in such a bad position that we only have to go in there and make some things happen, we only have to stay in the division, and that's a good job done.

We suppose that's how Paul Ince got his club career going at Macclesfield

Maybe so, I mean I don't know what the circumstances were for Paul there, but I've seen enough football in this league, and the one above, to know that if you get organised and get a few players in you've got half a chance. And it was great to get that win so soon because it will help with the players confidence. They've been really bubbly since I've come to the club, considering the position they were in, and that will help some more. We're under no illusions - we've got two very tough away games now - but the aim is to improve every week, and we can then know we've done our jobs to the best of our ability

Talking of Paul Ince we guess you'll be in front of the telly on Sunday to see the Liverpool and Manchester United game

Could well be! Although I'm quickly finding out this job is pretty demanding on your time, but yes, that's one of THE big games of the season.

How do you feel about Liverpool's current problems?

I knew you'd ask that one! I've got enough to try to get right here though without trying to tell anybody at Liverpool what to do. What I do know is that when you get a team with the quality of Liverpool in a bad run, that's when they will be at their most dangerous. Everybody is writing them off, but I think you'll see a very spirited and competitive performance on Sunday.

Tell us your best memories of playing for Liverpool against Manchester United

Oh dear, there aren't too many. I remember winning 2-1 at Old Trafford and John Barnes got two goals in March on the way to winning the title in 1990, which was brilliant. We also won 4-0 at Anfield at the start of the season after, although I was out injured. Beyond those I can't actually remember winning another game I played in! I think you just remember what fantastic occasions they are. Over the years since you've seen the rivalry get more and more ferocious

Wasn't it so big in your days then?

Yes, but I think that was about the time where the current feeling all started from. Liverpool were the dominant club, United were beginning to take that over, and that got the rivalry going and kept it there. Now with Manchester United closing in on records that Liverpool had set for donkey's years, when they were dominating the English game for so long, it's made it even more intense. I just think it's up to Liverpool to get back to where they were 20 years ago.

How does it affect players when you have that passion around?

Those are the games you want. That's why everybody wants to play for those big, big clubs because that's where you get to be part of that atmosphere. Anybody who isn't playing on Sunday will feel disappointed because you want to be one of the 22 starting

So how do you bring out your best in that atmosphere?

There's no secret, it's just going out and holding your nerve so that you do exactly the same things you do in every other game. Nobody knows how any individual will react, but if you let nerves get the better of you it doesn't matter how good a player you are, it will affect your game. You have to be focused but at the same time it wants a bit of nervous tension to get the best out. If you ask any of the top players, they've all had a bit of nerves before every game but even more before one like this

What sort of reception will Michael Owen get?

Oh, we're back to Paul Ince again! I think until now Michael he and Peter Beardsley are the only ones to play for both clubs since the early 1960s. I'd like to think Michael will get a great one, but who knows? I'm sure he'll get a bit of stick just because of the rivalry. All I know is that he'll handle it whatever happens. You saw against Manchester City how he rises to the big situations - half a chance and it's in the back of the net. It's up to Liverpool to stop him if he does play

Thanks for your time and we've a free £50 bet for a favourite charity

Thank you, that can go to the Make A Wish foundation that make wonderful things happen for seriously ill children, and I'm going to have a flutter on the horses. I'd like to put £25 on The Grey One to win the 17.40 at Wolverhampton tonight @ [9.6] and a further £25 to place @ [2.9].