Dirk Kuyt celebrates at Hull 460

GAME over? Not just yet. Even Sir Alex Ferguson couldn’t misconstrue the gestures emanating from Liverpool after another engrossing weekend in the race for the Premier League title.

Racing towards the visiting supporters with a mixture of delight and relief after netting his late second goal on Saturday, Dirk Kuyt couldn’t resist a cheeky reference to the frankly laughable furore concerning Rafael Benitez’s supposedly offensive hand jiving.

“It was spontaneous,” says the Dutchman.

“I was just happy because we were struggling in the game to be fair.

“I was just really happy to score the third goal and the job was finally done.

“That was game over.

“But it is not game over in the league.

“We will keep chasing them right until the end.”

Kuyt was right on both counts. While this was an unconvincing performance from Liverpool, it was further evidence Manchester United will not be allowed to stroll to the championship.

Benitez’s side flew back to Merseyside after their 3-1 triumph at Hull City to be greeted with the news United had reversed a half-time deficit against Tottenham Hotspur and bolstered their goal difference into the bargain.