Two Defeats In a Week

Dirk Kuyt hailed a "perfect day after his hat-trick gave Liverpool a 3-1 win over Manchester United.

Kuyt scored from close range on three occasions to put a dent in United's title charge, but owed a lot to Luis Suarez who laid on two of the goals for him.

"It's perfect," Kuyt told Sky Sports afterwards. "You dream about the hat-trick and to do it against United is the best feeling ever.

"I'm more than happy but I have to thank Luis because he played great and created two of the goals. They were quite easy goals, I used to score them in Holland when I played more like a striker. They count and I'm more than happy to take them."

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish would not be drawn on Jamie Carragher's tackle on Nani that saw the United winger stretchered off.

"I think he was fortunate to be playing for Liverpool today," Dalgish said when asked if his player was lucky not to be sent off. "It's not correct to talk about incidents because the match was played in a great spirit."

A United spokesperson confirmed after the game that Nani suffered a deep gash on his leg as a result of the challenge from Carragher, while it is believed the Reds defender visited the United dressing-room after the game to pass on his apologies to the Portuguese international.

Dalglish preferred to foucs on the positives for Liverpool, though, and was happy to finally give his club's fans something to cheer about after a difficult season.

"They deserved that for the discipline, application and pride shown in themselves and the club," he said. "It's been a tough season. It`s not finished yet but this has been the highest point so far for our supporters."