'Old Trafford will be hostile, but we believe we can win'

The Reds go into this weekend’s round of Premier League fixtures in second place, five points ahead of sixth-placed United and five behind leaders Chelsea.

Mignolet was part of the last Liverpool team to win at the home of their fierce rivals, when two Steven Gerrard penalties and a late Luis Suarez goal earned the visitors a 3-0 victory in March 2014.

Of course, the Belgium international also played as Jürgen Klopp’s side claimed a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford in the second leg of last season’s Europa League last-16 tie, which followed a 2-0 win in the first leg.

And he believes Liverpool can pick up a vital victory this weekend.

“Manchester United is always a big game and you cherish it as a football player because that’s what you want to do, you want to play in these big games on the big stage,” Mignolet told Liverpoolfc.com.

“We’ve got a big chance to go there and get the points we want and that’s the only thing we have to focus on, and not think this is a big game in the race for the title.

“It’s three points and that’s the way we have to look at it.

“I know for [supporters of] Liverpool and Manchester United there is a lot more other things at stake, but for us as football players we just have to do our job and we have to try and perform the best we can on the pitch.

“We need to try and perform the best we can on the day and we definitely have all the abilities that are needed to get the three points on the day at Old Trafford.

“It’s a big stadium and there’s always a lot of atmosphere so you know as a Liverpool player it is always going to be a bit hostile.

“As a football player you cherish to play on these occasions and the only thing we can do is think about our own performance and prepare the best way we can to go into this fixture and try and get three points.”

FREE: Mignolet speaks to Sam Quek in the first episode of LFC Later

The Reds make the trip to Old Trafford having drawn two and lost one of their last three games, but Mignolet says belief in the Anfield dressing remains high.

“We are still in a good way and we feel very confident in the way we are playing,” he added.

“We are still in all three competitions domestically. We have been playing well getting the results we want and you go into a big game feeling confident.

“They are a big team and when you play away from home with the support behind them it’s always difficult playing there compared to playing at Anfield for example.

“We know they’ve got big players like [Paul] Pogba, [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic and [Wayne] Rooney of course, a lot of individual quality, but we have to look at ourselves and try and play the best we can.

“I’m sure we will have a plan to stop their qualities and use ours in the best way we can. That’s far more important than focusing on their quality.”

Philippe Coutinho looked bright on his return from injury when he came off the bench against Southampton on Wednesday and Mignolet is thrilled to have the Brazilian back, especially with Sadio Mane away on international duty.

“Everybody knows what Philippe can add to the team with his individual quality, his creativity and ability to make things happen,” he continued.

“But I think this year especially we have got a team and it’s not about individuals but as a unit.

“I think everybody can make a difference and everybody works hard to create chances but also to defend and that’s very important if you want to be successful.

“Sadio is a really good player but like I said we are not depending on any individuals. We have got a very good squad, a unit of very good players who can play together.

“If somebody is injured or suspended there’s always somebody else ready to help the team out.

“That’s very important because we’ve got a couple of players who are coming back from injury also who can help the team so everybody is ready to help the team out when needed.”