Fergie in a funk but Kenny is in heaven

ALEX FERGUSON refused to speak to the media as Manchester United’s title challenge suffered a major setback.

While Kenny Dalglish was only too pleased to speak about a win which lifts his side back up to sixth in the table, Ferguson departed Anfield without conducting any interviews.

United, whose next game is an FA Cup quarter-final against Arsenal next Saturday, are three points clear at the top of the table.

But nearest challengers Arsenal now have a game in hand.

Dalglish, however, could not contain his delight following his side’s comprehensive victory.

“Everybody that supports Liverpool has had a great day,’’ said Dalglish. “The performance of the players, their attitude, their commitment, the pride they took in the football club and their own performance, that was the reason they got the result.

“Dirk got three goals, he’ll get the headlines. Luis Suarez played fantastically well but the rest of them weren’t too far behind as well. Everyone was really tuned in to what they wanted to do and they did it.

“We know it’s a good victory for us. We know Manchester United are a great benchmark but our season is not finished. We want to keep going.’’

Dalglish refused to condemn Jamie Carragher for his horror challenge on Nani.

The former England centre-back was shown a yellow card by referee Phil Dowd for his high tackle just below the knee which resulted in the Portugal international departing the pitch on a stretcher and in tears shortly before the interval.

The experienced Carragher is reported to have waited outside the United dressing room to apologise to Nani after the match but Dalglish was not keen to discuss the incident.

When asked if the defender was lucky to avoid a red card, Dalglish said: “I think he was fortunate to be playing for Liverpool today, because we were the better team.

“Football is more important than an incident in the football match. For us, we will talk about what we did on the football pitch, because we don’t want to dilute that.’’

Dirk Kuyt described his first Premier League hat-trick as “the best feeling ever’’.

“It was perfect,’’ said the Netherlands forward. “You always dream about scoring a hat-trick and to get one against United is the best feeling ever.

“Edwin van der Sar said afterwards, ‘you don’t score many goals against me’, so I am more than happy with my hat-trick.”