LONDON: Daniel Sturridge sent Liverpool top of the Premier League with a 1-0 win over Manchester United on Sunday.

New United manager David Moyes was without Wayne Rooney due to a head injury that looks set to rule him out of England's World Cup qualifiers and in his absence, the Scot's poor record at Anfield continued.

Sturridge, who could benefit from Rooney's absence for England against Moldova and Ukraine, scored the only goal in the fourth minute, having also been the match-winner in 1-0 wins over Stoke City and Aston Villa.

It means that Liverpool are the only team to have won their opening three fixtures. "It is a great win for our belief," said Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers. "Last season we drew too many of the big games and we lost both times to Manchester United, but today was another marker for us and since January our form has been very, very good."

Although the season remains young, it was a painful defeat for United, who already trail their old rivals by five points. "I thought we played really well," said Moyes, the former Everton manager, who revealed after the game that Rooney could be out for three weeks. "We had long periods of the game, but couldn't score. Apart from the lapse in concentration for their goal, we played well. "We got two or three opportunities but it was unfortunate we didn't take them."

The game was preceded by a minute's applause for the late Bill Shankly, who would have turned 100 on Monday, and the legendary former Liverpool manager would have appreciated his side's purposeful start.

There were less than four minutes on the clock when Liverpool struck, with Sturridge stepping off the line to glance Daniel Agger's header past David de Gea and mark his 24th birthday with an 11th goal in nine games.

The visitors improved in the second half, but Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet repelled a Ryan Giggs header and a rasping drive from substitute Nani before Robin van Persie slashed a late chance wide.

The final whistle drew roars from the home fans, but there was concern for watching England manager Roy Hodgson, who saw both United defender Phil Jones and Liverpool right-back Glen Johnson hobble off with injuries. (AFP)