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A favour from the old enemy wasn't forthcoming.

Jurgen Klopp had doubted whether Manchester United had it in them and his fears were realised.

Liverpool were knocked off the Premier League summit as Manchester City deservedly took the derby spoils from Old Trafford.

For all the pre-match talk about a title triumph for Klopp's side being Manchester United's worst nightmare, this had nothing to do with attitude or application.

After their spirited early burst came to nothing, it was simply a case of a huge gulf in class being exposed. City cruised home courtesy of second-half goals from Bernardo Silva and substitute Leroy Sane.

With blundering keeper David de Gea giving City a helping hand, United simply showed why they are also-rans.

United's seventh defeat in their last nine games – their worst run since 1962 – sent them spiralling closer to the obscurity of the Europa League. Ole's at the wheel but it's careering a long way off track.

We're building up to Jurgen Klopp's pre-Huddersfield press conference HERE

The destiny of the Premier League crown remains in City's hands. If Pep Guardiola's men win their final three matches then there will be heartache for Liverpool.

With City's trip to Old Trafford long since viewed as the most likely remaining hurdle over which they could stumble, some Reds fans will inevitably throw in the towel after events at Old Trafford.

But this thrilling race is still far from over. The gap is just a single point with three matches remaining.

Jurgen Klopp and the special team he has built will fight right to the bitter end. There won't be a hint of doom and gloom at Melwood on Thursday.

They can only take care of their own business and they have proved adept at doing that with nine straight wins.

Beat relegated Huddersfield Town at Anfield on Friday night to move on to 91 points and the pressure will be back on Guardiola's side when they travel to Burnley on Sunday afternoon. The Clarets will be coming off the back of a spirited point at Stamford Bridge.

Then the Reds will have another opportunity to crank up the pressure when they play Newcastle away on Saturday, May 4. City host Leicester City the following Monday night when Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers could secure the legendary status on the Kop that narrowly eluded him five years ago.

It's worth remembering that Leicester beat City the last time the clubs met on Boxing Day.

A twist on the final weekend isn't out of the question either with Liverpool entertaining Wolves and City at Brighton, who could be playing for Premier League survival.

Kopites found themselves in unfamiliar territory hoping for United to bounce back from their humiliating defeat at Goodison three days earlier.

There was encouragement during a goalless first half as United seized the initiative and City were rattled.

City's backline looked vulnerable with Marcus Rashford's pace causing problems and Vincent Kompany struggling. Paul Pogba's strike forced an early save from Ederson, while Jesse Lingard's volley flashed wide.

City were nowhere near their best going forward as they repeatedly gave possession away cheaply. De Gea clung on to Raheem Sterling's deflected effort and then beat away Bernardo Silva's piledriver.

Seconds later United were flying through on the counter but Ederson rescued City by racing out to save at the feet of Rashford.

After Oleksandr Zinchenko joined Vincent Kompany in the book, Sky pundit Gary Neville crowed: “This isn't what City wanted. They are getting involved in a fight.”

But soon the tide turned. Kopites' hearts were in mouths when Sterling looked destined to open the scoring in front of the Stretford End just before the break. However, after fine work from David Silva and Sergio Aguero his finish was weak.

Fernandinho had been outstanding in front of City's defence but the Brazilian was forced off due to a knee injury early in the second half with Sane introduced.

Nine minutes after the interval the deadlock was broken. Luke Shaw backed off and Bernando Silva punished him by drilling inside De Gea's near post. The United keeper, who has endured a wretched run of form, didn't get near it.

City threatened to run riot with Sergio Aguero hammering against the post. United had one chance to restore parity but Lingard completely missed his kick after Rashford put one on a plate for him.

Liverpool's hopes of United delivering for them were fading fast and with 24 minutes to go they were snuffed out.

Fred's woeful pass left United exposed and Sterling played in Sane. The German winger's shot should have been saved by De Gea shinned it into his own net.

It was too easy. There was no tension, no drama.

City now lead the way but for Liverpool hope still abounds.

Now they will look to Burnley, Leicester or Brighton to succeed where United failed so miserably.