Two Steven Gerrard penalties helped Liverpool to a crushing 3-0 victory at bitter rivals Manchester United on Monday to leave them breathing down the necks of Premier League football leaders Chelsea.
Gerrard's strikes either side of half-time put the visitors in control and Luis Suarez sealed only Liverpool's second win at Old Trafford in nearly 10 years with a well-taken third.
Skipper Gerrard could have completed a rare hat-trick of spot kicks but struck the foot of the post after Nemanja Vidic was red-carded for tripping Daniel Sturridge shortly before Suarez completed the rout.
Liverpool are now second on the table, four points behind Chelsea, with a game in hand and home matches still to come against the Blues and title rivals Manchester City.
With nine matches remaining to Chelsea's eight, Liverpool's run of five consecutive league wins has left them four points behind Jose Mourinho's side, who lost 1-0 at Aston Villa on Sunday, having had two men sent off.
United's ninth defeat of the season, a new record for the club in the Premier League, left them languishing in seventh place with 48 points.