Alex Ferguson claimed Manchester United were ‘the better team’ despite being humbled 4-1 by title rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford.

The Reds reduced the deficit at the top of the table to four points, with their biggest away win against United since 1936.

But Ferguson was in no mood to be charitable after the game and insisted the match did not reflect the emphatic scoreline.

"It is a hard one to take because I felt we were the better team," he said.

"That is not reflected in the scoreline and quite rightly, when you win 4-1 you get all the plaudits. I can't deny that."

But the United boss has called on his players to bounce back from the defeat and continue their title charge.

The Red Devils have a game in hand over their rivals and Ferguson insists they are still in the box seat.

“There is no complacency on our part," added Ferguson.

"We have lost a game. We need to respond and that is what we will do.

"If the league started now and we had a four-point start I would take it.”