Liverpool reserves coach John McMahon admits Manchester United matchwinner Gabriel Obertan was the difference in this weeks's defeat.
The loss virtually hands the Northern title to United.
McMahon told liverpoolfc.tv: "It was a little hard to take to come away from this game with nothing as I felt we were the better side.
"Give credit to Obertan for the goal. It was some strike and a player of that quality can do that. That makes the difference in a game like this.
"We asked the lads to up the tempo in the second half and told them not to be frightened of United. They were hanging on at the end which was a good sign."