Beating United at Old Trafford was twice as good as 2009... this would be up there with the glory days of Shankly and Paisley
- Liverpool went to Old Trafford and played Manchester United off the park
- When we won 4-1 in March 2009, the scoreline was a little distorted
- The impact of Sunday's win reached the Etihad, Stamford Bridge and the Emirates - Brendan Rodgers' side are soaring with confidence
- Jon Flanagan, Raheem Sterling and Jordan Henderson have come of age
- If Liverpool were to win the league, it would be on a par with Bill Shankly's FA Cup triumph in 1965 or Bob Paisley's European Cup success of 1977
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On my way home from White Hart Lane on Sunday evening, I sent Steven Gerrard a message as I do after most Liverpool games.
Normally I'll ask him how he felt the match went or for his views on any major talking points but this time, having watched Liverpool dismantle Manchester United, no questions needed answering. So I punched the words 'Twice as good as 2009' into my phone.
I know what it is like to go to Old Trafford and win by three goals but I couldn't tell you how it feels to go there, play United off the park and make them spend the last 10 minutes chasing shadows as Liverpool's ecstatic fans shout 'Ole!' with each tormenting pass.
VIDEO Scroll down to watch post-match reaction from Liverpool's win at Old Trafford
Togetherness: Liverpool were outstanding at Old Trafford, despite United's indiscipline
Jubliation: Gerrard and Suarez slide in front of the travelling Liverpool fans after going 2-0 up
Look familiar? Gerrard kissing the camera in 2009, and again on Sunday after scoring his second
Close: Carragher tackling Ji-Sung Park in 2009. Liverpool ended up four points off United
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When we won 4-1 in March 2009, the final score was a little distorted.
Don't get me wrong, our display was superb but we had to deal with spells of pressure, trailed to a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty and only pulled away in the last 13 minutes with two goals after Nemanja Vidic had been sent off.
I remember the celebrations in the away end being raucous and we were delighted as we walked off the pitch, yet our elation was tempered.
We were still four points behind United, having played a game more. We hoped we would win the title but they still held the upper hand.
Sunday's performance, however, was completely different. United may be an inferior side to the team they were five years ago but that should not detract one bit from what Liverpool did to them.
The intent was there from the first kick and 6-0 at the final whistle wouldn't have been flattering.
What's more, the impact of the result and performance will have been felt across Manchester at the Etihad Stadium, reaching Stamford Bridge and the Emirates Stadium in the process. Nobody will dare underestimate Liverpool now.
Manuel Pellegrini, Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger will have looked at the two games Liverpool have just faced, away trips to United and Southampton, and probably expected them to return with, at best, four points.
That they have come through them with six unanswered goals, maximum points and confidence soaring will be causing Pellegrini, Mourinho and Wenger concern. The more they get into this race, the more impressive Liverpool look.
Contrast: Suarez gives his side the thumbs up as Wayne Rooney complains to his team-mates
Identical: The penalties were similar, but Liverpool are far and away a better side than United this term
Times are changing: Manchester United fans show their emotions in the stands as their side crumbles
On fire: Back then, Fernando Torres was Liverpool's hit man. Now Luis Suarez is more than filling his boots
Full credit to Brendan Rodgers, who is handling the situation supremely well. What you get with Brendan is exactly what you see.
In his interviews and in the technical area, he never gets over-excited, always remaining in control.
That's what you want from a manager — focus and composure, a clear plan and unshakeable belief in his methods.
He is a coach who thinks progressively, coaxing improvement from his players with encouragement and giving them opportunities.
We get told constantly about the problems with the British game.
How players can't play the right way or retain possession, yet here is a British manager defying the critics and showing it is possible for young players to play with style and great technique.
All yours: Gerrard celebrates as Wayne Rooney scratches his head in dismay
Up and down: United are now 14 points behind Liverpool, who are now major contenders for the title
He has been repaid with consistent performances and increasingly impressive results and you only have to see how Jon Flanagan, Raheem Sterling and Jordan Henderson have come of age during this campaign, maturing from boys to men.
Sterling must now be a certainty to make the World Cup squad. He knows how to use his explosive pace and he has an end product to go with his skill. Flanagan, meanwhile, is putting himself into contention to be on the plane.
England are well stocked for full backs but if something were to happen to Glen Johnson or Kyle Walker, Flanagan should be the first port of call. He is more than just someone who can make a tackle and he is versatile, uses the ball well and is growing in confidence.
In his wake: Jon Flanagan put in a fantastic performance at Old Trafford, one of many this season
Wing wizard: Liverpool's Raheem Sterling has been in magnificent form in recent months
As it stands: The Premier League top four, but Liverpool's big games are at Anfield
On course for glory: Chelsea currently lead the Premier League despite their weekend slip-up
Been there, done that: City won the title two years ago, can they repeat the feat?
Kings of north London: Arsenal won at Spurs to keep their title dreams alive
What I like most about Brendan is that he is brave. Some managers won't tackle issues but Brendan is proactive. Within weeks of getting the Liverpool job, he sent Andy Carroll, the British record transfer fee, out on loan to West Ham. The popular Pepe Reina, similarly, was loaned to Napoli.
His handling of Luis Suarez, most impressively, was strong. Even when Luis was trying to force through a move to Arsenal, Brendan wasn't afraid to discipline him, making him train on his own after he had overstepped the mark with comments he made in the media.
Brendan has the trust of his players and they respond positively to how he treats them. He is honest and wants to help them improve. He places a big emphasis on having respect and the camaraderie between coaching staff and squad is evident.
No messing around: Rodgers shipped £35million signing Andy Carroll out to West Ham on loan immediately
Achievement: It took Rafael Benitez a few years to push Liverpool up to title contenders before leaving the club in 2010, despite winning the Champions League in his first season in charge
Success elsewhere: Gerard Houllier delivered on the cup front but only got close to the title once
The great: Winning the title would be on a par with Bill Shankly's FA Cup triumph in 1965
On a par: Bob Paisley's European Cup success of 1977 would also be matched with a title win
Liverpool, certainly, have the momentum with them and the biggest compliment you can give Brendan is that he has manoeuvred the club into a position to challenge for the title so quickly; Gerard Houllier and Rafa Benitez, for instance, took four seasons to get there.
If Liverpool were to do it, the achievement would be on a par with Bill Shankly's FA Cup triumph in 1965 or Bob Paisley's European Cup success of 1977. Even though Liverpool have won 18 titles, this would feel like a first, such is the hunger and desire to get there.
Will they do it? They definitely have the right weapons. Liverpool look strong whereas you can question their rivals: will Chelsea pay for the lack of a top-class striker? Is Manchester City's defence strong enough? Do Arsenal have the players to produce when it matters?
Six pointer: Liverpool face Manchester City at Anfield on April 13. They lost the reverse fixture 2-1
Vital: They then host Chelsea on April 27, who they also lost 2-1 to at Stamford Bridge
There will be more twists and turns and Liverpool are going to have to prepare themselves for something not going their way over the next nine games. How they handle a tense situation will be the real test.
I am certain, though, that the two Anfield games against Chelsea and City will determine the outcome of the title race.
The best atmosphere I ever played in was in 2005, in the Champions League semi-final, when we beat Chelsea 1-0, a night when the stadium literally shook. Should Liverpool repeat that score on April 27 the atmosphere, like Sunday's performance at Old Trafford, will be on another level.
Tough: Brendan Rodgers has made some brave decisions since being appointed Liverpool boss in 2012
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