Robert Firmino believes Manchester United are Liverpool's main rivals for the Premier League title this season.
United face their rivals at Anfield this afternoon in a hotly anticipated clash that sees just three points separate them at the top of the Premier League table.
United's rise to the top of the table has prompted talk of an unexpected title challenge, which would only be strengthened by a positive result against the champions.
Firmino said that Liverpool have to consider United to be their main rivals for the title.
He said: "It's clear that Manchester United are having a great campaign, perhaps their best for many years. But nothing surprises me because it is a great club and this is always a special game.
"Right now, you have to say they are our main rival in the title race and that is why we have to beat them and remind them we are champions.
"These are the games that any professional wants to play in and the ones you want to win. It would hurt our fans a lot if we lost, I know that is true, but I promise you that nothing other than winning enters our heads."
He added: "This is a special game every year because it is a classic of English football. This time, I agree, it is even more special but only because they are three points ahead of us and if we win then we catch them and continue our fight for the title.
"We know it will be a complicated race with a lot of struggles along the way but we still believe we can finish it as champions for the second time in a row and that is what we intend to do."
