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.