Jones: Let's Make A Statement

Phil Jones has described the highly-anticipated meeting with Liverpool as "the biggest game of the season", and has called on his Manchester United team-mates to make a statement against Jurgen Klopp's side.

The defender is no stranger to this fixture, and will be hoping to make his eighth appearance against the Merseysiders when the teams line up at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Jones believes games against Liverpool produce an occasion like no other and says he's raring to go, as United look to claim a 10th successive win in all competitions. 

Speaking exclusively to MUTV, he said: “These are the games that you always look out for when the fixtures come out - it’s probably the biggest game of the season for us. Away at Liverpool [in October], we got a good draw there and now we’re taking them to Old Trafford on Sunday. 

"It’s always a feisty affair, always a terrific atmosphere and the build-up is always scrutinised in every way, shape or form. We’ve got to forget about all of that and just do the job this weekend; we’re under no illusions, it’s going to be tough because they’re a good team, but so are we. We’ll be ready.

“It’s always an exciting time, Liverpool is an historic club like United, and two historic clubs going toe-to-toe means we’re set up for a great game. Hopefully, we can come out on top. It’s a game we need to win and a big one for everyone involved – the club, the fans, the players. We need to make a statement." 

Asked which factors might swing the game in United's favour, Jones says the club's experienced players could be vital, and also called on the fans to play their part.

“I think, in the big games, you need your experienced players to step up, and we’ve got those in abundance," he added. "This is when you need them to stick their chests out and help the less experienced players through the game, it’s always a feisty game and you have to keep everything under control, not just on the ground but in your head too.

"You can’t get wound up by little decisions that might not go your way, you have to be focused. These games are all about concentration and who can focus best at the critical times – ultimately, the best team will come out on top. 
 
“You hear the fans before any game, but especially before the Liverpool game. When you’re standing in that tunnel, you can feel that the fans are ready for it as well, and that they’ll be right with you. 

"There’s no better feeling than that, no better feeling than knowing that 75,000 people are there and kicking every ball with you; you know that, you feel that. It just spurs us on even more; you don’t need motivating for a game like this, but if we ever needed to find any [motivation], it’s them. They’re there week in, week out and we want to do it for them."