Gerrard: Straight on to the next challenge
Steven Gerrard insists Liverpool's players will savour the sweet taste of a scintillating 3-0 victory at Old Trafford tonight - but tomorrow, their attention will shift immediately to the next test, against Cardiff City.
Gerrard was simply sensational at the heart of a Reds midfield which dominated Manchester United from start to finish on a truly memorable afternoon.
The captain steered home from the penalty spot to make it 1-0, swept a second beyond David de Gea from 12 yards, before smashing the post with a third spot-kick.
Luis Suarez then capped the rout with an instinctive finish to move Liverpool into second place in the Barclays Premier League, four points behind league leaders Chelsea.
"I've been to Old Trafford many times in the past and we've been played off the park by a fantastic team," Gerrard told Sky Sports.
"This is one of the most difficult places to come to in the Premier League. So to come here and dominate from start to finish was great. We're still going away slightly disappointed that we didn't score more goals.
"We'll enjoy tonight, but we need to move on very quickly because we know Cardiff is going to be very tough. I think we showed today that we are genuine contenders and we're going to fight till the end for this.
"I've said it many times - in football, the easiest thing is to talk the talk, but we've got to go and treat Cardiff like Manchester United now and then do the same at Sunderland after that.
"If we can do that, we'll win a lot of games between now and the end of the season. The rest of the people fighting with us have got to believe that we're going for it."
The skipper's second penalty was fired in the same direction as his first, and after it skidded beyond De Gea's outstretched palm, Gerrard recreated his trademark Old Trafford celebration, racing across the turf to plant a kiss on the lens of the nearest camera.
"It's a fantastic day for me personally, getting a couple of goals," continued Gerrard. "But we came here to win the game. I said before the match that it would be difficult and that we need to take each game as it comes and try to win them all."
Gerrard reserved the last word for his manager, Brendan Rodgers, who he pin-points as being the driving force behind Liverpool's fantastic season so far, with subtle changes and tactical adjustments helping the squad navigate test after test.
"I think I have to give credit to the manager," said the 33-year-old. "He keeps switching and tinkering with the formation and the tactics.
"We played a diamond today and we totally bossed the middle of the park. When you come away from home, you have to keep the ball and dominate the middle of the pitch.
"We know if we do that, we've got two of the best strikers in the world to go and do the damage. I'm sure if you asked the Manchester United defenders, I don't think they've ever had a harder 90 minutes than that."