Mkhitaryan: Individual battles key to derby win

The Armenian midfielder insists that he's ready for the Liverpool match, despite missing the previous fixture between the two teams.

"Everyone is waiting for Sunday's game," Mkhitaryan told MUTV.

"I missed the first game against Liverpool at Anfield but I know the price of this game. I know the importance of this game. I know very well the history.

"It's not the first time I'm going to play in such a derby and you have to be ready that day.

"It doesn't matter, you have to play for the team and have to play for the crowd to do your best to win that game because it's going to be [recorded] in the history.

"Of course, besides that, we need the three points which is very important for the next few months".

The former Dortmund man believes that it is vital to win individual duels in order to win the game.

"[It's] not only the pressure, not only the way people are working for that game. It's the teamwork, the last decisive pass, the last shot, the runs. It is everything," he added.

"You cannot say you have to improve this component so we can win. No, you have to improve other components.

"You have to win every battle, every small metre counts and you have to win your duels. Then you will see you will win the game".