Sheffield United are mounting one of the biggest security operations in the club's history for their Worthington Cup semi-final match with Liverpool.

The Bramall Lane first-leg match is a sell-out with more than 160 police officers on duty and a record number of stewards inside the ground to keep order.

The game kicks off on Wednesday at 2000 GMT and Chief Inspector Andy Eddison, of South Yorkshire Police, has urged fans to behave, warning that action against troublemakers would be swift.

"We will be firm and we will be fair and we will act extremely quickly," he said.

Previous violence

"If people come to cause trouble they will be arrested and they will not be going home, they will be coming with us."

Violence erupted on 6 November last year following Sheffield's injury-time third round victory over local rivals Leeds United.

Mounted police came onto the pitch to quell disturbances after the final whistle and club officials are determined to prevent similar scenes at the game with Liverpool.

Minister of Sport and Blades fan Richard Caborn is anticipating a tough match for the First Division's third-placed side but said he believed a place in the Millennium Stadium final is within their grasp.

"It's great for the fans and I think we can do it," he said.

"We are in with a damn good chance of being in the final."