Andrew Robertson says Liverpool 'not getting carried away' despite opening up a 16-point lead at the top of the Premier League

The club are on course to clinch a first title since 1990

Virgil van Dijk celebrates with Georginio Wijnaldum scoring Liverpool's first goal against Manchester United at Anfield. Reuters

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah and Manchester United's Luke Shaw tussle for the ball. PA

Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain heads off the pitch after being substituted. AFP

Liverpool's Sadio Mane (C) lunges in for a tackle on Manchester United's Victor Lindelof. EPA

Virgil van Dijk celebrates his goal with teammate Roberto Firmino. EPA

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the ball during Liverpool's game against Manchester United. AFP

Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp gestures from the touchline. Reuters

Liverpool forwartd Roberto Firmino winners a header. AFP

Manchester United's Aaron Wan-Bissaka, left, attempts to block a cross from Roberto Firmino AP Photo

Liverpool's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is tackled by Manchester United's Brandon Williams. PA

Manchester United's Anthony Martial shoots at goal. Reuters

Mohamed Salah, right, takes a shot at goal. AP Photo

Liverpool's Georginio Wijnaldum scores a disallowed goal. AP Photo

Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea watches the ball sneak past the post. Reuters

Manchester United's players surround referee Craig Pawson before Roberto Firmino's goal is disallowed. EPA

Roberto Firmino celebrates after a goal before it gets disallowed by VAR. AP Photo

Virgil van Dijk fouls David de Gea in the lead-up to Roberto Firmino's disallowed goal. Reuters

Virgil van Dijk (left) celebrates scoring Liverpool's first goal with Roberto Firmino. PA

Andrew Robertson insisted Liverpool will only believe they are champions when they can see the sign announcing they have officially ended their 30-year wait.

Liverpool went 16 points clear at the top of the table by beating Manchester United on Sunday, leading their supporters, for the first time this season, to chorus that they are going to win the league.

They have made the best start to any of Europe’s top five leagues in history, with 21 wins from 22 games, while no Premier League side has ever lost a 16-point lead.

Liverpool, who also have a game in hand, are on course to clinch a first title since 1990 when they face Manchester City on April 4 but defender Robertson was adamant the players do not feel they are champions yet.

“We would obviously love to say yes – but no,” the left-back said. “You are playing against your rivals who you've had great battles with over the years and the fans probably want to rub it in a bit. But we're not getting carried away. Until the champions sign is above our heads, we don't believe anything.

“Yes, the lead is 16 points but we know how tough it gets. We've beaten United and in three days' time we go away to Wolves, who are flying, and it's an incredibly tough game. We know how hard this league is and how the table can change in a couple of weeks so it's up to us to stay 100 per cent focused and not allow that to happen. If we do then we keep ticking off the games and we hopefully get closer and closer.”

Liverpool are unbeaten in the division in a calendar year and in 39 games, in which they have taken 107 points, but Robertson added: “The last 39 games have been incredible but for us it is unfortunate it has not been in one season, it has been across two. We will let other people say that [they won't drop enough points to lose the title] but I don't think anyone in that dressing room is believing that just yet and I think we can see that with every performance we are putting in.”

Robertson also shrugged off talk that Liverpool can emulate Arsenal’s Invincibles of 2003/04, the only team since 1889 to complete an English top-flight season unbeaten.

“We don't think about that,” the Scotland captain said. “We go into every game to win. For us that is the aim, because we don't want to get beat and drop points, but we've said it many a time we work game-to-game and it's worked well for us so why would we change that now? Looking too far and thinking can we go unbeaten is pointless.”

Robertson led the praise for Virgil van Dijk, who headed the opening goal on Sunday, defended defiantly and was described by former United captain Roy Keane as a “beast of a man, beast of a player”.

Robertson added: “I've got the pleasure of playing next to him and he is a fantastic role model, fantastic player, fantastic centre-half. If anyone is young and up and coming, I'd suggest watching Virgil Van Dijk because he makes it look easy, but that's all the hard work he has put in.”

He also tried to divert attention to a midfield in which captain Jordan Henderson extended his outstanding run of form.

“I thought our midfield three were a different class and ran the game and that was so important,” Robertson said. “I thought Hendo was ridiculous. The way he played was quite phenomenal. Virgil gets a lot of credit so I'll maybe spread it about a bit.”