Georginio Wijnaldum has warned that Liverpool are not invincible ahead of their clash with Manchester United.
An in-form Reds will welcome their arch rivals to Anfield on Sunday with a one-point-lead over champions Manchester City at the Premier League’s summit.
Jurgen Klopp’s side remain unbeaten in their opening 16 league games and secured their place in the Champions League’s knockout stages earlier this week.
But Wijnaldum downplayed that continued ascendancy as Liverpool go in search of a first victory against United in over four seasons this weekend.
Asked whether the current team is invincible, the midfielder replied: “No, not really.
“We know we have to do a lot to not lose the games and we have to do, I think, even more to win it.
“We know from ourselves that we have to give a good performance every week to continue the run we’re in right now.
“I don’t think we really think we are invincible and if we think like that, we have a manager that puts both our feet on the ground again.”
Wijnaldum also sympathised with United’s current plight as Jose Mourinho battles to save his future with the beleaguered 20-time English champions.
A 2-1 defeat to Valencia saw the Red Devils slump to a second-place finish in their Champions League group and remain 16 points off the pace in the league.
He added: “Everyone can have a bad season.
“I think the year before I came, Liverpool finished seventh so those things can happen. That doesn’t say they are not a good team.
“Last season, with the same players, they finished second so one season goes well and another season is a little bit difficult. But it doesn’t mean that they have a bad team.
“They have good players, a good manager and they know how to manage games, to win games or not to lose, so it’s going to be a dfficult game.
“These things can happen to all of the teams.”