Manchester United can still win the title, says Brendan Rodgers

The Red Devils’ fans may be dreaming big after that win, but a more pressing priority for them right now is to get back into the top four Champions League qualification spots.

Little wonder, then, that Klopp was so downbeat in his post-match press conference.

“It’s a derby and you have one job – to win it”, said a disappointed Klopp.

“For the fans, for me and the players it is a fantastic win and it will give us a boost. We played better, but we feel really frustrated with the result”.

Smalling also praised goalkeeper David De Gea, who turned in an impressive display to thwart Liverpool.

It was only three weeks ago that Manchester United was on an eight-match winless streak, Wayne Rooney was so out of form he was dropped to the bench, and manager Louis van Gaal appeared to be contemplating resigning.

“We can do it”, he answered when quizzed on United’s chances of winning the league.

“Rooney is free and used his chance, we didn’t use ours”.

“But three mistakes around the goal were too much against a team of the quality of Manchester United”.

“It is disappointing. We conceded a sloppy goal at a set piece against Arsenal and against United it was a good header”.

Liverpool had dominated the majority of the game up to that point but failed to find a way past the inspired David de Gea. “In this moment it is only frustrating, which is how it should be”. “But we have to carry on, and we will do”.

“Roberto Firmino made again a really good game”. He is a real centre-forward when he plays there.

To be honest, I didn’t know about that record.

“The goal was to defend and we didn’t do it. That is our responsibility”.

“We didn’t play bad. We won and we have won a lot of games in 2016 now and have not lost yet”. “We have done better than years before at this ground and showed we can fight even when we miss certain players”.

When asked if United can win the league, Rodgers said: “Any team, in the second part of the season, which can put a run together, can do that”. We could have had Christian Benteke in the starting line-up, but he was on the bench.

United came out for the second half fired up after their row and Rooney nicked the victor with a well-taken volley.

“Can you fix that (lack of goals)?”. I think we knew how important it was and there were a few reminders [at half time] from myself and the manager that “this is Liverpool we are playing, we need to tackle more and get to the ball quicker”.

“We have no problem on this position”.