Manchester United vs Liverpool - Mkhitaryan aware of importance of Liverpool clash
Posted Sunday, January 15, 2017 by PA
Henrikh Mkhitaryan believes winning the individual duels will be key as Manchester United look to overcome bitter rivals Liverpool and bolster their title chances.
Old Trafford will play host to a mouthwatering 50th Premier League meeting of the north-west rivals on Sunday afternoon.
Jurgen Klopp's men started the weekend second in the Premier League but without a win in all competitions in 2017, while United know victory will see them move within two points of the Reds.
Jose Mourinho's side head into the match riding the crest of a nine-match winning run in which Mkhitaryan's explosion after a cumbersome start has been key.
"Everyone is waiting for Sunday's game," Mkhitaryan told MUTV.
"I missed the first game against Liverpool at Anfield but I know the price of this game. I know the importance of this game. I know very well the history.
"It's not the first time I'm going to play in such a derby and you have to be ready that day.
"It doesn't matter, you have to play for the team and have to play for the crowd to do your best to win that game because it's going to be (recorded) in the history.
"Of course, besides that, we need the three points which is very important for the next few months."
Asked if the game will be emotionally as well as physically draining, Mkhitaryan said there are "a lot of components", while stressing the importance of each player coming out on top in their individual battle.
He told MUTV: "(It's) Not only the pressure, not only the way people are working for that game. It's the teamwork, the last decisive pass, the last shot, the runs. It is everything.
"You cannot say you have to improve this component so we can win. No, you have to improve other components.
"You have to win every battle, every small metre counts and you have to win your duels. Then you will see you will win the game."
Klopp insists Liverpool's trip to face their arch-rivals does not take on any extra significance just because both teams are back battling at the top end of the table.
"It is not about making it bigger than it actually is," he said.
"You can be 10th and they can be first, or they are 15th and we are first - it makes no difference to the game.
"It is very important we know about this. It is a special game and we are aware of it.
"The players know more about the fixture, most are experienced enough.
"If we can win there it would be nice but there are a lot of games to play and a lot of points which you should get and these are only three of them.
"Both teams, especially in the long term, are in a good shape. We can lose against each team and we can win against each team."
Klopp will go head to head with Mourinho looking to get one up on his counterpart after the Portuguese 'won' their first meeting having completely nullified the threat of a free-scoring Liverpool side in a goalless draw in October.
Now United are on an upward curve the task will be even harder and Mourinho will be no less determined to beat his rival.
"He was always (the most competitive) but I don't think there are a lot of managers who don't want to win," Klopp added.
"It is not new and we should not be surprised about this.
"We have this kind of angriness in us also. We go there for a result, no other reason."
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