Brendan Rodgers: Man Utd boss Louis van Gaal CAN emulate Sir Alex Ferguson

United travel to Anfield tomorrow (1.30pm) in what is being billed as a potential shoot-out for Champions league qualification.

The Red Devils beat Liverpool 3-0 at Old Trafford back in December, but since then, Rodgers' men have remained unbeaten in the Premier League.

Van Gaal has come under scrutiny this term, but Rodgers is adamant that his coaching qualities are not in doubt.

"I don't think there is any convincing (required). He has shown over his career that he is a top-class manager," he said.

"He will have seen, coming into this country for the first time, the challenges of this football - it is why it is the most competitive league in the world.

"The Premier League is different from the leagues he will have worked in before but I don't think you can argue with his credentials.

"There is no question about the philosophies he has put in place at Ajax or Barcelona or his achievements and when he leaves Manchester United he will still be one of the great managers."

Though United have had their fair share of critics, Rodgers is taking nothing for granted.

He added: "They have a lot of talent and made a lot of investment in world-class players in the summer and they have an outstanding manager.

"They have been up there all season and will want to stay there so we have to stay on the chase but I don't worry about them 'clicking'.

"It is an important game. These games in particular are always great spectacles and the rivalry is historic.

"It is at Anfield against a big rival and we want to win the game. I don't think the result will have an overriding factor (on the race for the top four) because there are a number of games to go but psychologically it can give you a great boost."