Security will be heightened at Anfield on Sunday as Liverpool fans plan a march to protest against club owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks.

The American pair, who have come under pressure from supporters angry at the debt and direction of the club, are expected to attend the clash with Manchester United.

Club officials are not prepared to discuss their plans to protect Hicks and Gillett, but last season a similar march ahead of the same fixture saw extra police and security staff around the stadium. The Spirit of Shankly fans' group hope for a 10,000-strong march to the stadium.

Gillett attended Champions League clash with Lyon on Tuesday - when Liverpool suffered their fourth defeat in a row - and watched Alberto Aquilani make his club debut in the reserves at Tranmere on Wednesday.

It is believed there are plans for thousands of placards to be waved at the Americans if they sit in their usual front-row seats of the directors' box.

Les Lawson, spokesman for the Liverpool Supporters Club, who is a also member of the Spirit of Shankly group, said: "There is no point in sitting back and doing nothing. This will be a direct action to keep the campaign in the public eye.

"There are plenty of other things going on behind the scenes to keep the campaign going, though. The fans have to do something to show their anger at the way Liverpool is being run."

Despite the troubles on and off the pitch at Anfield, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has told his team not to be complacent on Sunday.

A United victory would open up a 10-point gap on their struggling rivals but Ferguson said: "Derby games are derby games and anyone can win. It has happened so many times and strange things can happen.

"I am not interested in their League form, I am more pleased with the kind of form we are in. We are consistent and that is important. I'm more concerned about what can do rather than them on Sunday."

Ferguson said that Wayne Rooney faces an "uphill struggle" to face Liverpool because of a calf injury and Darren Fletcher is another bid doubt because of a groin problem. Both will undergo fitness tests tomorrow but Patrice Evra should have recovered from a heel injury to play.