Louis van Gaal said Manchester United had encouraged Liverpool in the race for a Champions League place after losing 3-0 to the Merseysiders' near neighbor Everton on Sunday.

Goals from James McCarthy, John Stones and Kevin Mirallas at Goodison Park left United anxiously looking over its shoulders at fifth-placed Liverpool as it aims for the top-four finish that will bring Champions League soccer to Old Trafford next season.

Afterwards, van Gaal said he had seen warning signs even before kickoff that his players were not at their best.