Rooney said: "It's always nice to beat Liverpool and it's opened up a bit of a gap now at the top of the league.

"I'm delighted with the win. I know the goals will come [for him personally] - I'm not too concerned with that."

Asked whether he thought Javier Mascherano's red card was a turning point, Rooney said: "We were always on top. The Liverpool players were tired at the end, but overall I don't think it would have made any difference.

"We know it's in our hands now - we have to try and win as many games as possible and stay top of the league. We've got a good mix in the dressing room and we know what we have to do between now and the end of the season."