Gerrard: I have never swapped shirts with a United player because I hate the club so much

Steven Gerrard has a huge collection of shirts from opponents all over the world - but none from the red half of Manchester.

The former Liverpool and England skipper simply refuses to allow a United shirt over his threshold, insisting he hates the club because that's what he was taught to do from an early age.

Manchester United pay host to Liverpool at Old Trafford this evening and Gerrard - now at LA Galaxy - told the Daily Express just how deep his detestation of all matters United are after 18 years at Anfield.

He said clashes between the two clubs were always "personal", adding: “I had been taught to loathe Manchester United. It was drilled into our brains, hardening our hearts and conditioning our souls as Liverpool fans.

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“It was tattooed into the head of every Liverpool fan. We had never liked each other, as clubs or cities, but the animosity had become deeper.

“Liverpool had been dominant for so long — then, finally, United took over under Sir Alex Ferguson.

“For more than 26 years, I’d always felt compelled to show fire towards them. They were the enemy.

“Their shirt is the only one I won’t allow in my house. I have a big collection of shirts I’ve swapped with other players — but not one from United.”