Jose Mourinho said he is looking forward Manchester United's trip to Liverpool but does not feel the match will define his club's season.
Mourinho leads United into his first North-West Derby on Monday seeking a victory that would lift his side level with fourth-placed Liverpool on 16 points.
The former Porto, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Chelsea boss told reporters: "I have to feel it, to play it, and then take my conclusions, but I have been in England for a long time.
"Obviously I have never played this match, but I played many times against Liverpool, many times against Manchester United, I understand the dimension of the clubs, and now I understand better the dimensions of two big historical rivals.
"I go there to play my game. I go to do my work and normally I do enjoy my work there.
"I like the atmosphere, normally the characteristics of the matches, but being Manchester United manager means something more, because we cannot compare the historical rivalry between my previous club [Chelsea] and United and Liverpool.
"I look forward to it. I always like to play at Anfield. I won many times there. I also lost. I won big matches, I lost big matches, so I cannot say I like to go there because I'm always successful, because it's not true, but I do like to go there.
"It is just a big match. It can be comparable to Inter vs Milan, Real Madrid vs Barcelona, Benfica vs Porto -- these kind of matches -- and I like it."
However, he added: "The season for me is not about the Anfield match and Old Trafford match in January. I think, the season is about many matches, many points to win, many points to lose and targets to achieve."
Liverpool have been in fine form, recording four straight wins in the league, and Jurgen Klopp has been named September's Premier League Manager of the Month.
Mourinho was in no mood to discuss Liverpool's fine start, though, telling reporters: "I have nothing to say."
Pressed on the quality of Klopp's side, he replied: "They are good."