Jurgen Klopp's reaction to first win at Old Trafford as Liverpool manager

Jurgen Klopp praised his players’ “good timing” to end their Old Trafford drought under his watch to boost their top four chances.

Only a win would do against Manchester United as the Reds’ chances of Champions League qualification for next season hung in the balance.

And things looked to be going against them when Nat Phillips inadvertently turned Bruno Fernandes’ shot into his own net after just 10 minutes.

But in a season where good Liverpool performances have been few and far between, Klopp’s men produced one of the best of their campaign to come from behind in a crucial 4-2 victory.

Goals from Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah either side of a Roberto Firmino brace ensured Marcus Rashford’s goal meant little, and Klopp could claim his first win on United turf.

Speaking after the vital victory, Klopp said: “Great fight, good game, intense, how a derby should be.

“Since I’m at Liverpool, our first win at Old Trafford. Good timing, I would say. We needed it, obviously.

“We fought hard for it, we deserved it, so all good.”

The result puts Liverpool well back in the mix for the top four now with Chelsea and Leicester just ahead of them – who play each other in their next fixture.

Meanwhile Klopp’s side have a more favourable run, with West Brom, Burnley and Crystal Palace to come.

On this form you’d struggle to see past them, as Jota’s cute backheel drew them level, before Firmino fired a bullet header home on the stroke of half-time before smashing in his second after the break.

Even a Marcus Rashford goal and some heavy pressure from United could not halt them as Mohamed Salah scored a late breakaway goal to seal maximum points.

“Top goals,” Klopp beamed. “We reacted really well to their goal. We were unlucky in that moment [Phillips’ own goal].

“Bruno Fernandes, we let him go inside. It was unlucky in the centre but the defending in that moment was not good. We didn’t do that well in the first 15 minutes but then we got control and we could play the way we wanted to play.

“It was good. All good performances. Our two centre-halves were a little shaky at the beginning of the game with passes but then did a really good game.

“It was of course tricky at 3-2 but we scored that fourth goal. We needed that. It was very intense. I really thought the midfield played outstanding well. When Curtis Jones came on he helped a lot. It was good.”