United beats Liverpool 1-0 to spark talk of title challenge

And while Van Gaal admitted it was an important victory, he also pointed out how much that goal meant to his captain.

“I have to admit we were lucky to survive the first half because Liverpool were more aggressive, we could not get the ball, and they created three chances.

So I am happy for him and Manchester United and the fans because everybody wants to see Rooney scoring”.

Rooney’s goal, an athletic hooked volley after Marouane Fellaini’s header bounced back off the crossbar, was the one moment of true class in a game of few scoring chances.

Louis van Gaal has many critics among Manchester United fans but he has given them at least four good reasons to smile since taking over at Old Trafford – four wins in four Premier League matches against Liverpool.

Klopp went on to tell reporters: “It’s really bad: it’s a derby and in a derby you only have one job to do; you have to win it. That’s the only possibility to be satisfied after the game”.

“A lot of the things we did today were really good”, Klopp said.

Nevertheless, Klopp does not believe his forward line needs reinforcements despite his side’s goal-shy displays this term, believing Firmino and Christian Benteke are sufficient to fulfill the Reds’ requirements. On a personal note it doesn’t get much better.

De Gea was the busier of the two keepers, however, and after gathering a Henderson effort that was straight at him, the Spanish shot-stopper once again proved his worth to United with a fine double save to deny Can and Firmino in quick succession.

After being dominated for the majority of the game, Manchester United found a way to steal all three points at Anfield.

Rooney has now scored in four successive games and took his Premier League tally to 176, more than any other player for one club, overtaking the previous record of 175 that Thierry Henry managed for Arsenal. His side’s topsy-turvy season continued as they largely controlled the match at Anfield before being hit with a sucker punch when Wayne Rooney scored with United’s only shot on target.

Victory took United to within two points of the Champions League places and allowed them to reclaim fifth place from West Ham United, leaving Liverpool six points back in ninth place, their top-four hopes fading. It was his first goal at Liverpool since January 2005.

While Rooney was the match-winner with the visitors’ only shot on target, David de Gea was the man who made the 1-0 win possible with a string of saves and was the far busier of the two goalkeepers.