Alex Ferguson has warned David Beckham his reception from the Kop this morning (12.0, Sky Sports 1) will be in stark contrast to the ovation he received last week with England. The Manchester United midfielder returns to Anfield to face Liverpool seven days after he was lauded as the hero of England's World Cup win over Finland.

The England captain was cheered after he scored the winning goal and only his second for his country in front of the Kop. Despite this apparent easing in hostilities between the two arch-rivals, Ferguson is convinced Beckham's welcome will be anything but warm when he runs out for today's noon showdown.

Ferguson feels most fans on the Kop last Saturday were ordinary England supporters rather that diehard Liverpool followers. "I don't think there were that many Liverpool fans at the game and I think the tickets were spread over the country," said the United manager.

"I don't think they will be throwing any flowers for David tomorrow. Let's hope he gets the same result and scores again at the Kop end and that was a marvellous goal."

Beckham looked more like his old self in England's two World Cup qualifiers and Ferguson claims the games should boost his confidence. Ferguson had left Beckham out of United's last two games and he feels going away with England should help him.

"He's had a rest from us and he's gone away and played well for England," he said. "He's scored a goal and come back with confidence and that's the best thing that could have happened to the lad."

United's tussles with Liverpool are usually the highlight of their Premiership season, but this time round Ferguson feels the stakes are not as high for his side. Defeat at Anfield would not endanger United's championship hopes and the runaway leaders need just nine more points to claim their seventh Premiership title in nine years.

They also know that Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg with Bayern Munich is a far more important game for their season.

With that match in mind, Ferguson will not play anyone at Anfield who has the slightest injury and he may rest one of two players who may be feeling tired after all the internationals.

However, all these factors do not lessen Ferguson's desire to beat Liverpool and gain revenge for that 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford back in December. "It's a more important game for Liverpool than Manchester United and they are chasing a Champions League place," he said.

"But it's also a game where we want to make sure we go about it the right way because we have a big game on Tuesday. We want to get over this game and then we'll have plenty of time to assess the Bayern game.

"The players know they have to perform. We like to perform in games with an edge to them and this is certainly a game like that. It's a good atmosphere there and it's always a competitive game.

"Our record there is good and we just have to go out and make sure we set our standards right. If we get our standards right then we'll have a big chance."

Fabien Barthez has recovered from his thigh injury and is set to play. Raimond van der Gouw is also back following his knee operation, which means on-loan goalkeeper Andy Goram is likely to spend his first match for United watching from the stands.

Liverpool expect to have Steven Gerrard fit for his midfield battle with Roy Keane, and could have Patrik Berger and Nick Barmby on the bench after successful comeback games in the reserves.

Ferguson yesterday snuffed out any hopes of Steve McClaren maintaining his coaching role alongside Leicester manager Peter Taylor with the England senior side. United's agreement with the FA for McClaren's services ended with this week's World Cup qualifier in Albania.

FA chief executive Adam Crozier had planned talks with United chief executive Peter Kenyon with a view to extending the agreement. However, Ferguson ruled out any possibility of an extension, insisting: "No, the agreement with England is that it finishes at the end of the season." Asked if he saw that situation changing, Ferguson replied: "No".