SOCCER / FA Cup: Gary Neville will renew strained acquaintances with Liverpool's supporters next month after Manchester United were handed a potentially explosive FA Cup fifth-round trip to Anfield.

The England full back has denied a Football Association charge of improper conduct after his goal celebrations following Rio Ferdinand's last-minute winner in the league meeting between the teams at Old Trafford this month. But while he awaits a date for his hearing, Neville can expect a hostile reception as he leads his side out in next month's tie.

While Alex Ferguson welcomed "a great tie and a hard draw", his opposite number Rafael Benitez suggested Neville will have little reason to celebrate this time around. Despite losing the Premiership match and having failed to beat United in his four games against their bitter rivals, the Liverpool manager insisted his team can progress into the quarter-finals.

"There were times last season when we played games like this where we wondered whether we could win and whether a draw would actually be a good result," Benitez admitted. "But this season we know we can beat them. We controlled the match at Old Trafford and we were at least at the same level as them. Now, being at home will be an advantage for us."

It will be bigger for Neville than most. The full back turns 31 on the weekend of the tie, and age has not mellowed his ability to rile Liverpool's supporters. Having endured abuse from the travelling fans at Old Trafford, he reacted to Ferdinand's winner by sprinting fully 60 yards to pump his fits and kiss his club badge in front of the away section. His reaction prompted criticism from Greater Manchester Police and if found guilty, Neville is likely to sustain no more than a fine given the referee, Mike Riley, had stated in his match report that he would have yellow-carded the home captain had he witnessed his celebrations. Yet the fact that the teams must meet again so soon after that furore will add to the tension over a fixture that, a year ago, saw a mobile telephone flung at Wayne Rooney, United's goalscorer.

It will be one of three ties involving two Premiership sides. Aston Villa will host Manchester City, and West Ham face a daunting trip to Bolton Wanderers, who disposed of the holders Arsenal in the fourth round.

The two League One sides have both been awarded trips to Premiership opposition, with Colchester United at Chelsea or Everton, and Brentford at Charlton, where they have not won in 80 years.

Brentford's chairman Greg Dyke feels his side has a chance. "We could even win that," he said. "I'd rather have been away at Old Trafford but given that we're in a lot of debt it's a good draw for us."- Guardian Service