LVG: Liverpool lost ‘because of what we did to them’

Matt Stead

Louis van Gaal has discussed Manchester United’s top-four hopes, and says Liverpool lost because of “what we have done to them”.

Van Gaal’s United boosted their dimming hopes of Champions League qualification with a 1-0 victory over Manchester City on Sunday, with Marcus Rashford scoring the only goal. Here are 16 Conclusions on the game.

United are now sixth, just one point and two places behind their bitter rivals in the race for the top four, while fifth-placed West Ham are also on 50 points.

The win represents United’s first in four games, a run which extended to March 2, but Van Gaal feels it has boosted their chances of Champions League qualification.

“The gap would have been too big if we had drawn or lost. It would have been very difficult,” said the United boss.

“Now it is in our own hands but we have to win our games. We have more home matches than away and we don’t lose so much at Old Trafford – so we have a big chance.”

United played just three days after suffering Europa League knockout at the hands of Liverpool, and Van Gaal believes that both United and Jurgen Klopp’s side showed signs of fatigue.

“I thought we played fantastic in the first half and the second half was a test of survival because we were very tired,” added Van Gaal.

“We had only two days to recover after the Liverpool game and that is almost not possible.

“It was fantastic. We have also done it with Arsenal after that we played a Thursday and we beat them. We’ve also beaten Manchester City so I am very happy because it is not easy to win here.

“We have seen the result from Southampton today. Liverpool were 2-0 up at half-time and at full-time it was 3-2 to Southampton.

“I have not seen the match but I can only conclude it was because of tiredness and that is what we have done to them.”