Erik ten Hag believes Manchester United now have a group of leaders to cultivate a winning mentality at the club.
United travel to Anfield on Sunday 10 points clear of their greatest rivals, who finished a whopping 34 points clear of United last season.
Jurgen Klopp's side have been dubbed 'mentality monsters' in the past and Ten Hag is convinced United have a similar coterie who drive the team on.
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“I think our team, our mentality in general is very good," Ten Hag said. "I think we also have many leaders who set the mentality, who set the standards, who control the standards, who correct if necessary.
"I think we are happy with this process but it can always be better. That has to be the approach."
Liverpool thrashed United 5-0 and 4-0 in their Premier League meetings last term and ended the campaign a point behind champions Manchester City, reached the Champions League final and won the League Cup and FA Cup.
However, Liverpool have suffered a drastic drop-off this season and are all but certain to end it trophyless, with the prime objective now to qualify for the Champions League.
At his unveiling by United in May, Ten Hag was asked about City and Liverpool's duopoly in the last five years and stressed "eras come to an end", but he downplayed the growing threat of United and league leaders Arsenal.
“Nah. We are still in the season now," Ten Hag stressed. "It's always a pattern, never does it always go so consistently in a way like this (points upwards). It's fluid and I am sure Liverpool have a really good management, a really good playing philosophy, and a really good strategy. So no, I don't think so.
"We are aware of that, but once again, we are not talking about other clubs. We are talking about us and I think we are in a good direction. And with our philosophy, strategy and culture, we have to keep making progress. It's all about that. So that (beating Liverpool) is the next step we have to make then."
Ten Hag secured his first win as United manager against Liverpool on an uproarious night on August 22 when supporters protested against the Glazer family's ownership, enraged by the opening defeats to Brighton and Brentford.
United have only lost four of their 39 games since they beat Liverpool, ended their trophy drought in the League Cup final last week and have progressed to the last 16 of the Europa League and the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
Louis van Gaal remains the last United manager to triumph at Anfield, where United are winless in their last seven matches.
“It's in the process. It was a few months back, now we are in a different process," Ten Hag said of the 2-1 triumph six months ago. "It's a different period, so I don't look back, I look forward. I look forward to Sunday and I'm really going to enjoy this.
“We don't have to compare. It's about the future, it's about now, so we face a fantastic opponent and we're looking forward to it. So it's all about us getting the right preparation and to be ready for that game.
“It's difficult to say (how the players have changed) in a few words or a few sentences. It's more the total package, more like I said, the philosophy, culture, strategy and to bring that forward consistently, day by day.
“I'm not talking about Liverpool, it's not my responsibility," Ten Hag said, having complained there were not any questions about West Ham during his previous pre-match press conference.
"I have enough to do here at Carrington, I have enough to do with Manchester United, so I have to deal with the performance of Manchester United and that's all I am aware of and where I am putting all of my efforts in."
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