Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has talked up the importance of his side's 1-0 victory over Liverpool at Anfield this afternoon.

The skipper scored the winning goal with his side's only shot on target of the match, lashing home a rebound from close range with just 12 minutes left on the clock.

United and Liverpool were sixth and ninth respectively heading into the match, but Rooney insists that the league positions did not take anything away from one of the fiercest rivalries in English football.

"Everyone knows the importance of this game - regardless of league positions, it is a massive football game and it is a great victory," he told Sky Sports News.

"We needed the three points and to continue the start to this year, so it is a massive win for us."

Rooney's goal also saw him overtake Thierry Henry as the highest-scoring player for a single club in Premier League history, netting his 176th top-flight goal for United, but he revealed after the match that he was unaware of the achievement.

"I didn't know! It is great to have records but scoring a winning goal at Anfield, it's been a long time since that happened for me, so I will be a bit selfish today and enjoy that one," he added.

United have now won each of their last four meetings with Liverpool.