Gerrard hails Liverpool success

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard hopes the team's crushing 4-1 victory over Manchester United will spur the Merseysiders on.

The victory will not only help the Reds play catch-up at the top of the Premier League, but will also prove to other teams that the leaders can be beaten.

Rafael Benitez's side battled back from a goal down to defeat United in clinical fashion, Fernando Torres and Gerrard turning the match on its head before the break, with Fabio Aurelio and Andrea Dossena easing Liverpool well clear before the end.

Gerrard said: "The important thing is that we have made the gap smaller (United lead by four points still with a game in hand). We realise that Manchester United are a fantastic team and there's still a lot of work to do.

"We'll need a little bit of luck along the way but hopefully that gives teams that are going to play against Manchester United a bit of belief that they can be beaten. And hopefully it will give us a lot of confidence to go on and win as many games as we can."

The England midfielder was ecstatic to score his first ever goal at Old Trafford, but praised the team performance as a whole for their second four-goal haul of the week.

"I've been lucky enough to experience winning here before and that was also a magnificent feeling, but to score a goal after all the stick I've had from United fans over the last 10 years - well, it's nice to score and rub it in a bit.

"It was magnificent, a great team performance. From front to back we worked very hard today, showed great character after going a goal down and it was a magnificent win.

"In the end it was comfortable with a man being sent off, but I think we were men today, we controlled the game. It's not very often you see Manchester United getting beat 4-1 at home."

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez praised the belief of his players. "I have good players with a good mentality and character" he said. "The players had confidence before the game and then worked very hard to play well against a very good team.

"We knew we had to win, and it was very difficult after conceding a goal, but still we went forward and pushed and tried and believed.

"It was a great game. I think we have played better, but not against teams at the level of United so I am really pleased for the players."

Benitez was realistic in his assessment of the implications for the title race, but hopes his side can continue their form to make life as uncomfortable for United as possible.

He said: "The league is very difficult but at least we now have more options and we are more confident that we can beat anyone and stay closer.

"The main thing today was to get three points so I am very proud and pleased."