Steven Gerrard was delighted with Liverpool's impressive 2-1 win over Manchester United on Saturday. Gerrard got into the action late on and said: "It was a great win but the most pleasing thing was the performance.

"They got an early goal and that was a blow, but the reaction from our side, the character shown and workrate, produced a lot of positives. We got even stronger.

"When you get a win against the best side in the league you know it will put you in good stead for the future. We realise it is only early days and of course it does not mean we will go on and win the league.

"Now the belief will be there when we go away to the other top sides like United and Chelsea because they know we are capable of beating them.

"We are only a few games in, but we believe we can be in the hunt come March and April. It means so much to the supporters, we want it really bad and the fans can see that.

"I would also like to say a word for Xabi (Alonso), this has been a very difficult time for him right up to the transfer window shutting.

"He didn't know whether he was coming or going, but he got man of the match against United and that says a lot about him."