Solskjaer says Man Utd's trip to Liverpool 'couldn't have come at a better time'

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has said Manchester United's trip to Liverpool could not have come at a better time after moving top of the Premier League for the first time in three years.

The United manager has described the showdown at Anfield on Sunday as a 'test of character and quality' but insists his side are 'ready', 'hungry' and 'excited'.

Solskjaer believes United are 'in a good position' going into the game against the reigning champions - having claimed a 'hard-fought three points' against Burnley on Tuesday.

Speaking of United's upcoming game at Liverpool, Solskjaer said: 'What a brilliant position to be in.

'We know it's going to be hard - what an unbelievable three-and-a-half seasons Liverpool have had, but we're ready and excited for it.

'We couldn't have asked for a better time to go there. We're hungry for it and it's a test of character and quality again. We're in a good position going into it.'

Solskjaer's confidence comes off the back of United's 1-0 win at Burnley on Tuesday.

Paul Pogba's deflected volley saw United walk away from the game victorious and move three points of clear of Liverpool, who have failed to win in their last three league games.

Solskjaer described the win as 'a hard-fought three points' and said it 'always is' against Burnley.

Solskjaer went on to praise Sean Dyche's side before crediting Pogba for a 'well executed finish'.

He said: 'Burnley are so well organised and there's not many spaces but we did look at some of them - great cross for the goal, very well executed finish. We could've had a few more to calm the nerves but we did it the hard way.'

Speaking of United's nerves, Solskjaer explained how 'emotions were running high at half-time', forcing him to calm his players down before the second half.

He said: 'You've got to calm them down at half-time because emotions are running high because they disagree with the things that happen out there so we have to take back control and we played really well in the second half and we held out at the end.'