Coutinho: I call this game a 'six-pointer'
Nobody needs to explain the importance of matches between Liverpool and Manchester United to Philippe Coutinho.
The Brazilian with the magic in his boots will compete in this monumental fixture of English and world football for only the fourth time this afternoon.
Yet an innate understanding of such a rivalry, formed during his spell with Vasco da Gama, ensures the No.10 can tap into the emotions at play.
Which is particularly fortunate on this occasion, given the significance of the contest at Anfield and how it might affect the race for Champions League qualification.
"It's a really important game for us, and a tough one," Coutinho told Liverpoolfc.com. "They're a good team with great history and I know this is a massive derby.
"Both teams are fighting for the same thing in the Premier League. It's going to be a critical game and one we would call a 'six-pointer game' in Brazil.
"I've always watched these big matches on television. The entire world knows how big a fixture this is. It's a first-class clash and one we enjoy playing a part in.
"I'm sure it'll be a hard-fought derby and I hope we can be the winners. No fan wants to lose this game, which I see as one of the world's greatest fixtures."
The battle for a top-four position in the Barclays Premier League table is agonisingly balanced with nine matches remaining on the schedule.
Just four points separate Manchester City in second place and Liverpool in fifth, with Arsenal and United sandwiched tightly in between.
It's the Reds setting the pace in terms of form, however - five consecutive victories have married with a 13-game unbeaten streak since December.
And if Brendan Rodgers' team can conjure another performance worthy of maximum points this weekend, they would leapfrog the last side to defeat them.
Coutinho, who was named the club's Player of the Month for a third straight time yesterday, continued: "Everyone is feeling content and we are focused on our preparation.
"There are still quite a few games to be played and we need to be winning as many as possible to achieve our objective.
"All remaining matches have to be treated equally as they'll be decisive for our season. We want to be in the top four and qualify for the Champions League next season.
"We know we will stand a good chance if we win this vital game.
"It's always a hard-fought encounter for the great players both clubs have and for their history. It's a crucial game for us and everybody is looking forward to it."
There will be a genuine desire for revenge coursing through the Liverpool ranks when the rivals stride onto the Anfield turf come Sunday afternoon.
When they last crossed swords, three months ago, Rodgers unleashed a surprise 3-4-3 formation at Old Trafford that caught many unaware.
A 3-0 reversal would suggest failure for the system, but in actuality the Northern Irishman's charges showed promising signs that would blossom into the current high confidence.
"At that moment, unfortunately, we were not delivering the level of performance we wanted on the pitch," Coutinho reflected.
"After that game, I guess we kind of shook things up a bit and everyone felt they could do better on the pitch - and that's been happening when we go out there now.
"We've been doing everything the manager asks us to do on the pitch. We've been able to play both with and without ball possession and have managed to improve our marking and pressing the opposition.
"That is probably one of the main differences in the second half of the season, and one which has been handy for us to raise our game."
Coutinho's scintillating recent form has caught the attention of football fans around the world.
Especially during the past six weeks, it has often seemed that the 22-year-old has been conducting his own personal Goal of the Season competition.
Breathtaking efforts past Bolton Wanderers, Southampton and Manchester City showed technical quality that any of his compatriots would appreciate.
So it's fitting that the greatest footballer Brazil has ever produced will take up a prime position at Anfield to see if Coutinho can settle another big match.
Told that Pele is attending the clash with United, the midfielder said: "I didn't know - that's quite a surprise.
"I haven't met him before but everybody knows his story - the greatest football player of all time. It'll be a great honour to welcome him to our home."