Liverpool FC 0-1 Manchester United FC: Five things we learned from the game

New Delhi: Manchester United's surprising 1-0 win at Anfield against Liverpool in the Premier League has relieved manager Louis van Gaal who was at utmost pressure prior to the game.

United find themselves go above West Ham into fifth in the table and it was their skipper Wayne Rooney who latched on to an open ball straight into the net which was deflected off the post from a Marouane Fellaini​ header.

United will feel happy after bagging crucial three points against arch-rivals Liverpool after both sides saw themselves being embroiled in 3-3 draws earlier this week.

Liverpool lie six points behind United and Jurgen Klopp has work to do in order to see his side dream about Champions League football.

Here are the five things we learned from the game.

David De Gea keeps saving United: The Spaniard once again was emphatic for Louis van Gaal's side and it has become a similar story of how many times has the goalkeeper come into rescuing his team from conceding goals. De Gea made several mouth-watering saves with the best coming in the 67th minute when he denied an Emre Can long-range effort before denying Firmino. No wonder he was adjudged the man-of-the-match.

Wayne Rooney is finding some much needed feet: Five goals and two assists in last four games across all competitions has seen Rooney in doing what he does best. Although lack of supply from his teammates often saw the England forward limited to very few touches and being impotent, in most part of the game. But Rooney's vision and presence of mind needs to be lauded in way he curled the ball high into back of the net was lovely to watch.

Liverpool were the better side: The Reds were tactically superior then United the whole game and looked more precise and intense. Their pace and pressing style threatened United the whole game. Liverpool had more chances and possession then their opponents in the game and had better character. Klopp should be happy with his side's display despite the loss given world class David de Gea won the game for United.

Liverpool lacked attacking quality: It has become a familiar story with Liverpool's poor conversion rate from shots to score goals. Liverpool's GBP 32m man is a class act but Klopp doesn't favour him and trusts Firmino more as a false striker. But real absence of a genuine striker has cost Liverpool whose finishing could have been better. The home team saw many shots going awry despite being in promising situations.

Marouane Fellaini is a vital player: Time after time the Belgian has showed why his height and physical presence has been pivotal for United. Fellaini was useful in defensive duties too at times and in the midfield he looked solid. With Fellaini, United see themselves being presented with chances. His header hit the post and Rooney scored from the re-bound. Even in the last game he had the chance to win the game with an open header but missed. Nonetheles a chance was created!