With a game in hand, Liverpool leads the pack by a 16 points difference as they race towards their coronation with a victory over league victories rivals Manchester United.
The win was hard-fought, but it was never in doubt as Manchester United lacked any bite going forward.
Mo Salah and Vigil Van Dijk finished off a solo and a header to erupt Anfield into celebrations as the league leaders proved too much for their weary visitors.
Roberto Firmino thought he had made it 2 for the visitors following Van Dijk’s 14th-minute header but was contentiously ruled out by VAR. Mo Salah then missed an open goal from six-yards out after David De Gea touched Henderson’s effort off the post.
Andreas Pereira blasted wide off an open goal in the first half and Anthony Martial fluffed over the top from an inviting position after the break.
Jurgen Klopp reacts after the game said;
“It’s a big relief, I was really happy with 85-90% of the game, we were brilliant. We dominated the game, especially in the first half. The energy they put on the pitch was incredible.
“On a normal day we would have scored three times in the first half and in the second half until 65 minutes we should have been more clear.
“But then United have obvious quality, played a bit more football and we had to defend. There were little mistakes here and there, we didn’t use possession well enough and so the game stays open.
“Then we scored a wonderful, wonderful goal at the end, a really good feeling.”
Manchester United were by football terms in the game till the end but in practice were wide off. For much of the time, it was more about if Liverpool will get the cushion of the second goal and maybe then a third than if United were going to equalise. Such was the gulf in class on the pitch and on the log, United trail the Reds by 30 points.
Reacting after at the end of the match Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said;
“The players gave us everything. Today we hung on a bit at the start of second half, but the last 25-30 minutes we pressed them and pushed them back. I’m disappointed with conceding from a corner and with the last kick – but very many positives.
“I felt in the second half we performed really well against a good team and at a difficult place.
“We didn’t have quality with our finishing or last pass. Fred was absolutely top and David de Gea. As a team we worked together as a unit.”
Liverpool have claimed 64 points from a possible 66 and sit only assailable on mathematical terms at the summit of the English Premier League table. United are fifth-placed with 34 points.
The Man of the Match award went to Van Dijk.