Ryan Giggs comments about Liverpool in 2011 come back to haunt him

Ryan Giggs and Manchester United were sitting pretty when they prepared to face Liverpool in the FA Cup back in January 2011.

United would go on to become Premier League champions that season.

And they could no doubt afford to laugh at their rival's misfortune as the Reds endured Roy Hodgson and the fractious end to Tom Hicks and George Gillett's disastrous spell as owners of the club.

So when Giggs was asked if Liverpool's fall - the Reds were ninth in the Premier League at the time - could happen at Old Trafford, it was an open goal and an easy story.

'Giggs: We would never collapse like Liverpool', read the Mirror's headline as the Welsh winger explained why those problems couldn't possibly happen at his club.

"Our manager is not always looking just for this season," said Giggs. "He buys players with a view to the future, which he's done more and more over the last few years.

"He's bought players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Anderson and Nani - all young players who have got the ability to go on and be better, and all of whom have done that.

"Now we've got the next batch, the likes of Javier Hernandez, Rafael and Fabio Da Silva, Gabriel Obertan and Chris Smalling, all young players who will hopefully get better over the next few years.

"The manager is experienced enough to know that we'll be challenging for the league this season and long after that because of the nucleus of the squad we have, as well as adding fresh blood, which gives everyone a lift."

He added: "Liverpool are a big club but they've obviously had massive problems off the pitch. They've had a new manager this season and new owners, and they haven't got off to the start they'd wished.

"But they have got quality players in their team, and when you've got that, you've always got a chance. Losing is like winning, in that it can become a habit.

"Once you start losing, the luck doesn't seem to go for you. Whereas if you're winning, it does seem to go for you. If you're not doing too well and your league form isn't what it should be, which is the case with Liverpool, the FA Cup is always a release."