A first-half header from Virgil Van Dijk and injury-time Mo Salah strike saw Liverpool beat Manchester United 2-0 at Anfield - a result that moves them sixteen points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
Dutch international defender Van Dijk was left unchallenged by Brandon Williams from Trent Alexander-Arnold's corner, and powered his header past David de Gea after fourteen minutes of play.
The home side then thought they had doubled their lead as Roberto Firmino curled a stunner into the far right corner of the goal. However, Van Dijk was adjudged to have fouled de Gea in the build-up by VAR - a decision that caused plenty of half-time debate and controversy.
The clincher came in the third minute of injury time - Mo Salah holding off the attention of Daniel James to break away and finish under United's Spanish netminder.
In truth, Liverpool barely had to get out of second gear against a Manchester United side that was motivated but well off the pace of the league leaders.
Both sides missed sitters in truth - Mo Salah for Liverpool and United's Anthony Martial both failing to hit the net when it appeared easier to score.
The Reds have been likened to Floyd Mayweather in their game management - doing their damage early and not giving their opponents a chance - and they boxed clever here.
Whenever United did manage to string together possession, they found their attacking players isolated or coming up to face a tight, committed Liverpool defence.
Marcus Rashford was not fit to make the United squad, after his back injury picked up midweek in United's FA Cup third-round replay win over Wolves at Old Trafford.
That injury could cause Ole Gunnar Solskjaer further headaches down the line - with reports this evening that the England international striker could face up to three months on the sidelines.
Rashford had been carrying a single stress fracture, but that is now a double stress fracture and could lead to the 22-year-old missing a crucial part of United's season.
Up next for the Manchester club is Burnley in the Premier League on Wednesday night at Turf Moor, a game made all the more crucial by Chelsea and Arsenal dropping points in the race for the Champions League spots over the weekend.
Liverpool also now have another game in hand - to add to their sixteen point lead at the summit of the table.
