JURGEN KLOPP spoke about the importance of the bond between his team and their supporters after Liverpool saw off old foes Manchester United on Sunday afternoon.

A towering header from Virgil van Dijk and a late strike from Mohamed Salah saw the league leaders go 16 points clear of second-place Manchester City with a game in hand.

Salah’s strike in second-half added time prompted wild celebrations. Goalkeeper Alisson sprinted the length of the pitch to celebrate the goal which he assisted having quickly released the Egyptian on the counter-attack.

United had chances to equalise, so when the second Liverpool goal finally came there was a huge release of emotion around Anfield, and fans in the Kop sang “We’re gonna win the league” for the first time this season.

“I don’t take [this support] for granted, I think in the moment,” said Klopp. 

“I think it includes everybody, even in the living rooms in front of the television and, if we could get this energy as well, it would help.

“There is a lot of passion around the world for Liverpool. We had to develop it, that’s clear.

“The boys try everything to do it on the pitch, but if the crowd is not there then it is completely different. That’s why I really love that relationship between the atmosphere in the stands and the atmosphere on the pitch. 

“It’s a massive help. If we did not play well, the atmosphere would not be like this and, if the atmosphere would not be like it is, we would not play that well.”

One of the best chances for the visitors fell to Anthony Martial who, along with Fred, was the only United player anywhere near the level of the opposition, but the Frenchman chose power rather than placement and skied his shot into Anfield Road.

Liverpool are now preparing for three games in seven days. Next Wednesday they make up for the game they missed against West Ham due to participation in the Club World Cup, after facing Wolves this Thursday and Shrewsbury in the FA Cup on Sunday.