Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said he watched Wednesday's showdown between Manchester United and Manchester City, but said he always anticipated the latter would be "too good" for the former.
City's 2-0 win at the home of their local rivals took them back to the summit of the Premier League, moving a point clear of Liverpool.
The Reds have the chance to usurp City on Friday, when they host bottom club Huddersfield Town at Anfield. City can respond on Sunday, when they visit Burnley.
The match at Old Trafford felt like a big hurdle overcome for City, although Klopp said he was not surprised by the result and didn't consider the match the final chance for points to be taken off Pep Guardiola's side, per Chris Bascombe of the Daily Telegraph:
"It was not the last chance before the game.