Liverpool vs Manchester United: Jurgen Klopp hails 'just perfect' performance to return to the top

Klopp’s side returned to the top of the Premier League table thanks to Xherdan Shaqiri's brace

Jurgen Klopp hailed his side's 'perfect' performance at Anfield (Getty)

Jurgen Klopp hailed Liverpool’s ”just perfect” performance after recording their first Premier League win over Manchester United in four years.

Klopp’s side returned to the top of the Premier League table thanks to a 3-1 win, secured by Xherdan Shaqiri’s late brace after Sadio Mané’s opening goal.

United had equalised against the run of play through Jesse Lingard in the first half and came within 18 minutes of claiming another unlikely point at Anfield.

However, Shaqiri’s crucial intervention off the substitutes’ bench ensured Liverpool’s dominance was reflected in the scoreline.

“It was a brilliant start, one of the best performances we had since I’ve been in Liverpool,” Klopp said in his post-match press conference.

“For the first half hour we were outstanding, scored only one but I don’t think anyone expects four or five against this United team. How we played was just perfect.

“We got our dominance back step-by-step and Shaq closed the game. That was unbelievably nice, and deserved.

“You need a bit of luck and both goals were deflected but you need that. The first goal – what a goal. A super pass and a super control and finish. Nearly a perfect night.”

The victory saw Liverpool return to the top of the table, one point ahead of defending champions Manchester City, with the two sides set to meet on 3 January.

City spent Saturday night at the summit after their 3-1 victory over Everton but Klopp insisted that he and his players are paying no attention to Pep Guardiola’s side.

“We ignored [City’s result] completely. I cannot say we passed [a test] because we didn’t think about it. I didn’t mention it one time.

“I had time to watch City yesterday because we play them in a few weeks but after the good start of Everton the game headed in one direction and City had the normal problem of playing Champions League game then on Saturday lunchtime.

“But we are not silly. We know the table. Are we focused on it or not? I’ve said it before. We played United tonight, not against United and City. We really didn’t speak about it.

“That already helps. It’s not like if City win we come into training and say ‘did you see what City did?’. We are focused on our thing, and we will see where that leads us to.

“At the end of the season, when we are still around them, where we have to think about it and start hoping they have to drop points or whatever, maybe, I don’t know.

“But at the moment, we respect them a lot and they respect us and we have to win football games against all the others. Then we meet on January 3 again, and then we think about City a lot.”