Jose Mourinho insists Manchester United visit to Liverpool is just another game: 'It's for three points, not four'

• e-mail

Jose Mourinho has tried to play down the significance of Manchester United's visit to bitter rivals Liverpool on Saturday, saying it's worth three points just like every other game.

United trail neighbours Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table only on goal difference and remain unbeaten in their seven league matches so far this season.

But the visit to Anfield - where Mourinho has been involved in many fiery encounters down the years - is their toughest test of the campaign so far.

Man United manager Jose Mourinho insists Saturday's Liverpool visit is just another game

Liverpool and Manchester United played out an attritional 0-0 draw in this game last season

A pumped-up Mourinho on the sidelines during the stalemate at Anfield last season

Speaking to Sky Sports, Mourinho said: 'It's for three points, not four. Maybe if we were in a moment of the season where it was a duel between two teams it could mean more but it's not the case.

'At the same time, in these kinds of matches, every single moment plays a part. We are playing against a good team with very good players.'

Just as 12 months ago, United travel to Merseyside for their eighth Premier League match of the season.

By this time last year they'd already lost to City and Watford as Mourinho searched for his best starting line-up and formation. United would ultimately finish the season in sixth.

But they have come a long way since the uber-defensive performance that then earned a 0-0 draw at Anfield.

Mourinho added: 'I think we are a better team [than last season]. You can say, like some people do, we have not played one of the top five teams.

United trail leaders Manchester City on goal difference at the top of the Premier League table

Mourinho and his Liverpool counterpart Jurgen Klopp embrace following last season's draw

'But last season we did not beat West Ham at home, last season we did not beat Everton at home or Southampton away.

'Globally we are a better team, does that mean we are going to be as successful as last season, winning two titles [the EFL Cup and the Europa League]? I don't know. But we are better.'

Mourinho refutes the idea that we'll know a lot more about United's title credentials after Saturday lunchtime.

'We have to prove nothing,' he said. 'We have our objectives for the season, we know where we want to go and how we have to go.

'One match, one result, one performance - that's not going to change anything.'