Alex Ferguson has said it will always be important to him for Manchester United to beat Liverpool, no matter where its north-west rival stands in the Premier League.
Top-flight leader United overcame a late Liverpool rally to claim a 2-1 win over the Merseysiders at Old Trafford on Sunday.
United ended the weekend still seven points clear at the top of the table after second-placed reigning champion Manchester City won 2-0 away to Arsenal later on Sunday.
This victory also saw United go a huge 24 points in front of Liverpool, which remained eighth.
Liverpool was the dominant force in English soccer when United manager Ferguson arrived at Old Trafford in 1986, with the Scot declaring his aim was to knock it off its perch.
United has won a record 19 English championships compared to Liverpool's, so Ferguson can be said to have succeeded in his goal, especially as you have to go back to 1990 - before the advent of the Premier League - for the last of the Anfield club's titles.
"Winning these games are important, it doesn't matter what position we are in the league," said Ferguson.
"Manchester United and Liverpool games are a fantastic challenge between two of the most successful teams in the country and those three points are hopefully very important for us."
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes his side's second-half display proves it is starting to close the gap on United.
"I think this performances gives us great hope," Rodgers said. "We are 24 points behind Manchester United but we are not behind 24 points in quality."
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