The Reds moved a step closer to a first premier league title since 1990 after Virgil van Dijk and Mohammed Salah secured a deserved 2-0 victory over rivals Manchester United at Anfield.
With second-place Manchester City playing out a shock 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace on saturday, Jurgen Klopp's men took full advantage to tighten their grip at the summit.
Liverpool meanwhile, had two futher goals disallowed before the interval and increased the intensity again after the break before Mohammed Salah added a late second in a nervy finale.
This game was branded as a potential banana skin for Liverpool as Manchester United remain the only side to have taken points off the Reds when they played out an underwhelming 1-1 draw at Old Trafford in October.
But with the absence of Starman Marcos Rasford through injury, there was to be no repeat as it only took just 14 minutes for Klopp's men to take the lead courtesy the head of Van Dijk who ran to meet Trent Alexander-Arnold's delivery to power past David de Gea.
Liverpool thought they had doubled their advantage in the 2th minute when David de Gea spilled a high ball under pressure from Van Dijk. Mane then fed Firmino who curled home, only for VAR to intervene and be deemed a foul on the United goalkeeper.
Georginio Wijnaldum's effort was also correctly adjudged to be just offside when put through by Alex OxladeChamberlain.
Andreas Pereira failed to convert a rare United chance against the run of play fro inside the box, before De Gea kept out a Sadio Mane's strike on the stroke of half-time.
Liverpool began the second half with greater intensity, with Salah scuffing a glorious chance wide. De Gea then again brilliantly tipped a thunderous Jordan Henderson's drive onto the post.
Anthony Martial showed a lack of composure when he blazed over following a brilliant combination with Andreas Perreira.
With 15 minutes remaining, United pushed for an equaliser as Juan Mata and Mason Greenwood were introduced but an opening never arrived.
Instead, it was Mohammed Salah who punished the visitors by surging clear from a corner to seal the win with a cool finish.
The win edges Liverpool to that lon-awaited premier league title. For United and Solskjaer, they will need to get this one out of the way and focus on the visit of Burnley on Wednesday.
You must be logged in to post a comment.