Steven Gerrard does not want Liverpool's FA Cup tie against Manchester United to be remembered for the wrong reasons.
Reds skipper pleads for football focus during United showdown
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard does not want this weekend's FA Cup tie against Manchester United to be remembered for the wrong reasons.
Saturday's lunchtime encounter is likely to be more hostile than usual in the wake of the fall-out from Luis Suarez's eight-match ban for racially abusing Patrice Evra.
Both clubs have tried to ease tensions in the build-up to kick-off and Merseyside Police have stressed they will take firm action against anyone guilty of inappropriate behaviour.
Liverpool star Steven Gerrard has consequently now called for calm and is eager for the game to avoid negative headlines.
"We all have a responsibility," said Gerrard. "We all have a responsibility to ensure that this game is remembered for the football.
Massive
"Liverpool and Man United is a massive rivalry and, of course, there is going to be stuff in the papers and banter between fans.
"But it would be fantastic if, after the weekend, it is remembered for being a top game and obviously, from our point of view, a Liverpool win.
"We don't want any front-page stories from this game or any stories besides a football match between two top sides."
Liverpool go into the game at Anfield on the back of booking a place in the Carling Cup final with a win over United's derby rivals, Manchester City, and he wants to make it a cup double.
"We've got to dust ourselves down and get our recovery in because we've got a massive game in the FA Cup," he said.
"We want to do the same in that competition - we want to go a long way."
