Louis van Gaal said Manchester United had encouraged Liverpool in the race for a Champions League place after losing 3-0 to the Merseysiders' near neighbor Everton on Sunday.

Goals from James McCarthy, John Stones and Kevin Mirallas at Goodison Park left United anxiously looking over its shoulders at fifth-placed Liverpool as it aims for the top-four finish that will bring Champions League soccer to Old Trafford next season.

Afterwards, van Gaal said he had seen warning signs even before kickoff that his players were not at their best.

"I think so, yes," said the Dutch manager when asked if this reverse was the most disappointing performance of his United reign.

"It was the first time that I see that our motivation, inspiration, aggression was not as high as the opponent.

"I already had the feeling, as did my colleagues (coaches) Ryan Giggs and Albert Stuivenberg because warming up today was not as good as usual.

"Then you say that in the last minute before kickoff, you hope that you can recover that and stimulate your players but then it's too late."

"Because we are playing so well the last six or seven games, the players think OK, it will come."

Liverpool trails United by seven points but has a game in hand and will have played two matches before United next takes the field - against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday - meaning van Gaal's side may only have a one-point cushion by the time it kicks off.

"I know that," he said. "I have said that to the players - you have given light to your opponents.

"I hope it won't happen again. But, as a coach, I know that it will happen again (some time)," said a rueful van Gaal.

Agence France Presse