Mignolet: Staying focused is crucial
Simon Mignolet has stressed the importance of Liverpool remaining fully focused on the task in hand against Manchester United on Sunday, and not becoming distracted by any media chatter about the fixture.
The Reds will play host to Louis van Gaal's side at Anfield aiming to leapfrog them into fourth place in the Barclays Premier League with a win.
Just two points separate the teams in the standings, and while Mignolet knows it could prove a pivotal fixture in the race for Champions League qualification, he insists Brendan Rodgers' men must concentrate solely on obtaining the three points.
He said: "We know there will be a huge build up, but as professional football players we can't get carried away. We have to focus on our jobs, because as a game it is three points to win or to lose.
"If we are going to make more of it than it is we might get flustered or carried away with things, so we have to address it in a professional manner and make sure we focus on our job, rather than what the opponent does or how big a game it is."
Since the teams last met at Old Trafford in December - a game which culminated in a 3-0 win for United - Liverpool have gone 13 matches unbeaten in the league.
However, Mignolet warned: "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. We will get prepared the best we can.
"We know it is a big game, and especially playing at home we want to get three points again. That is the only thing we will think about. We will prepare the best, as Manchester United will do, and we will be ready at kick off time.
"We are very pleased with where we are, but there are still a lot of games to play.
"We can't think about that, we have to keep going and do the things we are doing at the moment and we will see where we are at the end of the season."