Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has called on his side to have "tunnel vision" in their quest to beat Manchester United at Anfield today.
The reigning Premier League champions host Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side as they look to bounce back from an extended lull in their campaign to reclaim top spot in the table.
United, who sit at the summit of the Premier League having amassed three points more than the Reds, head into the fixture riding high on an 11-game unbeaten streak, in stark contrast to Jurgen Klopp's side's recent form.
While the stakes are unmeasurably high, Klopp insisted his side live in "the here and now" rather than thinking about the possible permutations in the title race following today's result.
Klopp wrote in his pre-match programme: "Games such as this – blockbuster fixtures – are won in the moment.
"It is crucial that, as a team and club, we only take valuable learnings from what has gone before and motivation to keep being better from what is ahead.
"For us it really is all about living in the here and now. All that matters is the challenge immediately ahead of you and giving all you can in that moment to be your best for yourself and your team. That applies to training and games.
"I love that a contest such as this attracts so much attention and debate. It's why we do what we do. Liverpool vs Manchester United should be a clash that excites and provokes positive anticipation.
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"It is for the supporters and football followers around the world to immerse themselves in the 'what ifs'. It's for everyone else to enjoy the competitive comparisons, status debates and partisan opinions that will no doubt have been ramped up in the days leading up to kick-off.
"We just need to focus on our work, our preparation and ultimately our delivery. We need tunnel vision on being ready to win individual and collective battles in the moment."
The boss also insisted his side only try to live up to their own high standards rather than making comparisons with their opponents. He urged his players to focus on their own strengths and "attack the moment" against United.
"I have said before that I personally believe it is a mistake to make any club, no matter how big a rival, a measure for your own achievements," Klopp wrote.
"At a club like Liverpool you have to be your own yardstick. We, as a team and club, have set our own standards in recent seasons. We are our own biggest critic and set our own expectations.
"So today's game is the best team for over the 90 minutes on this given Sunday. Who is going to be better today? That is enough for me and my players, to be honest. It's the only thing that can be won today, so we throw ourselves into it with all we have.
"Respect you face a powerful opponent, but concentrate on your own strengths and attack the moment. It is a reason to feel joy that we have this opportunity."
Liverpool could find themselves in fifth place by the end of the day should results go against them. Tottenham travel to Sheffield United in the earlier kick-off, whilst Manchester City host Crystal Palace this evening.
Conversely, a Reds victory would see them go back top and would ease the pressures of recent weeks.
With the Premier League coming towards its halfway point, it remains ever so tight in the top half the table, with seven points separating first from ninth place at the start of play on Sunday.
There's a lot of football still to be played, but victory against the lot from up the M62 would send a big statement that the Reds aren't so easily budged off their perch.
