Sir Alex Ferguson insists Liverpool will not "throw away history" by giving Chelsea the win to scupper Manchester United's Premier League title chances.
The Blues head to Anfield one point clear of United, who visit Sunderland bidding to overhaul the record of 18 English titles they hold with the Reds.
With two games to go, United boss Ferguson said: "They've been in 11 European finals and won 18 titles.
"Great clubs don't throw traditions away for one game. The fans know that."
The 68-year-old Scot added: "Do you think the fans want to go home saying their players capitulated and they didn't try and thinking it wouldn't happen again?"
Liverpool have endured a difficult season, which took a further downturn when they suffered a Europa League semi-final defeat at the hands of Atletico Madrid on Thursday, going out on away goals after Diego Forlan's extra-time strike.
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I don't care what Manchester United will do. I will play to win on Sunday because I want to make sure we can get those three points and still have a chance of fourth place
Jose Reina
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However, with Ferguson's side facing Sunderland at the Stadium of Light two hours later, the Scot is hopeful that Liverpool's proud history and their professionalism will ensure they perform against Chelsea.
The Merseysiders themselves are battling for fourth place which comes with the chance to play in the lucrative Champions League but Rafael Benitez's Reds are seventh, two points behind fourth-place Tottenham having played one game more.
"It is difficult to say how Liverpool's players will feel," reflected Ferguson. "It is Rafa's job to prepare his players.
"The way we lost to Bayern Munich [in the Champions League] gave me a difficult job to raise players but you have to do it. That is your job.
"It took me a couple of days to get over it. But you can't wallow in pity.
"I would totally agree that we would have preferred last night's game to finish in 90 minutes and I have always said teams don't get the proper help when they are in Europe.
"Having to play Sunday lunchtime after a Thursday game is not fair but it happens time and again when we see repeatedly teams abroad being allowed to bring games forward to suit their programme. That is a fact.
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ALAN HANSEN COLUMN
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"They say there is congestion but it is not that big you can't help a team by one day or a few hours.
"We have all had to cope with it over the years. You depend on the great resilience of the English player."
This weekend's fixture situation bears similarities to 1995, when on the last day of the season United headed to West Ham knowing it would take a victory at Upton Park and a Liverpool win over Blackburn at Anfield to give them the title.
United's failure to beat the Hammers 15 years ago made Liverpool's victory over Blackburn that day redundant.
But Ferguson is hoping Benitez's side can emulate their predecessors to aid the Red Devils in their quest to claim a record 19th league title by sealing an historic fourth in succession.
"We were depending on Liverpool producing - and they did," recalled Ferguson.
"You have to earn a right to win the title. Okay, there were a lot of English players in their team that day and they understood the history of Liverpool FC.
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606: DEBATE
Owen 007
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"But I don't think there has been such a swing that the current players do not understand the history of Liverpool."
Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina has bristled at the suggestion he and his team-mates would be going for anything other than a victory against Chelsea.
"I don't play for them," Spaniard Reina said. "I play for my team and my supporters.
"I don't care what Manchester United will do. I will play to win on Sunday because I want to make sure we can get those three points and still have a chance of fourth place.
"We are playing at home and we never play for a draw or defeat. We will try to deliver a last home win of the season."
United's own quest for a win at Sunderland could be boosted by the return of 34-goal striker Wayne Rooney and captain and defender Rio Ferdinand, who has had recent groin injuries.
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