Liverpool dominated the first ever European meeting between the teams from first minute to last, scoring through Sturridge’s 20th-minute penalty and Firmino’s 73rd-minute effort to put Jurgen Klopp’s men firmly in the driving seat ahead of next week’s return leg.

United would have lost much more heavily had it not been for the brilliance of goalkeeper David de Gea and failed to create a meaningful chance as manager Louis van Gaal’s four-game winning run against Liverpool came to a juddering halt at a fervent Anfield.

“I think it was absolutely deserved,” said Klopp.

“It was a great performance from first second to the last. It’s only the first leg, but we needed to win it and we did it.”

With both teams struggling to finish in the top four in the Premier League, victory in the Europa League looks their best hope of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.

It is Liverpool who have one foot in the last eight and while United must gather themselves for Sunday’s FA Cup quarterfinal at home to high-flying West Ham United, Klopp has a full week to prepare his side for their trip to Old Trafford.

“I have to say that Liverpool created an atmosphere that was fantastic,” said Van Gaal, who described both Liverpool’s penalty and second goal as “cheap”.

“They played very good in the first half and we could not cope with their pressure.

“It’s difficult because 2-0 is a very difficult result for us. But we have to create an atmosphere like Liverpool’s fans have done.”

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