United veteran Giggs says even average Liverpool sides are tough to beat at Anfield

Published: 12:53 EST, 28 November 2012 | Updated: 10:44 EST, 30 November 2012

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Ryan Giggs claims that the intense atmosphere at Anfield means that even average Liverpool outfits are extremely hard to beat on Merseyside.

Giggs says the matches he enjoys most are trips to Liverpool - even though his trips there in the past haven't always been fruitful.

According to Manchester United’s veteran midfielder, even the more mediocre Liverpool teams he has gone up against have been difficult to overcome when backed by the fearsome home support.

Tough: Ryan Giggs (left) says Anfield is the toughest ground to visit in the top-flight

The Welshman said: 'It doesn’t matter how the teams are doing in the league, there’s always that rivalry and there’s always that ferocious tempo within the game, whether it be at Old Trafford or Anfield.'

Asked which stadium has the most daunting atmosphere, Giggs added: 'I think Anfield. Like I said before, no matter how the teams are doing there is always a great atmosphere.

'You could be playing against an average Liverpool team and it would still be one of the toughest games of the season, just because the crowd drive them on and the tradition between the two clubs.'

Just over a year from his 40th birthday, the former Wales captain has grown accustomed to playing alongside individuals who weren’t even born when he made his debut at United.

He said: 'I got used to the fact a long time ago that I am playing with someone who wasn’t born when I made my debut and all these sort of things that come up.

'So yeah, I have just got used to it. It’s something I have got to live with I suppose.'

Difficult: The Welshman believes even average Liverpool sides are hard to overcome on Merseyside

Giggs was taking part in a Q&A on www.premierleague.com, and is the only active Barclays Premier League player who featured in the opening matches of the competition more than 20 years ago.

He was asked who his favourite midfielders were, and said the players he would most like to partner in are ex-United stars Roy Keane, Cristiano Ronaldo, as well as current squad member Paul Scholes – with David Beckham narrowly missing out.

'I think the two midfielders that stand out are Scholesy and Keaney, the year we won the treble.

'And then it would be close between Becks and Cristiano but what Cristiano has done in the last couple of years probably just pips him.

Star man: Giggs says he would love to play in a midfield with Cristiano Ronaldo (left) again

You too: Giggs also had David Beckham down as one of the best midfielders he played alongside

'In my view, along with Messi, he’s the world’s best player. So, I wouldn’t mind being in that midfield, if I can get in!'

Giggs claimed the toughest defender he ever came up against in the Premier League was former Arsenal left back Lee Dixon.

'I think Lee Dixon was always tough to play against, especially at Highbury where it was a tight pitch and it was that famous back four and [David] Seaman in goal,' he said.

'It was always tough to find that bit of space which normally I can find but he had that experience, knowing whether to go tight or whether to come off, and it was always a test to play against him.'