Martin Skrtel believes Liverpool's 4-1 victory over Manchester City was all the more satisfying because he and his teammates 'absolutely deserved' their large margin of victory.

An own goal from Eliaquim Mangala put the Reds ahead in the early stages at the Etihad Stadium before Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino struck to make it 3-0 with just over half an hour gone.

Despite Sergio Aguero pulling one back for the Blues before the break, a tireless defensive effort and Skrtel's late piledriver clinched the points for the visitors.

And the Slovakian defender was delighted with the manner of the win for Jürgen Klopp's team, who could have scored more had it not been for a strong performance from home goalkeeper Joe Hart.

"The feelings are great because it's not every day you come to Manchester City and you win 4-1," he told Liverpoolfc.com.

"Also the performance, especially in the first half, was top class - we scored three but we could have scored more. 

"Second half wasn't easy because they scored a goal and came back into the game but we defended well and I think we absolutely deserved the three points."

On his 81st-minute goal, a remarkable half-volley from just inside the area, the 30-year-old added: "It's a great feeling, it's always good when you score a goal and help the team. 

"I think the last goal I scored was December last year [against Arsenal] so it's a long time. 

"But the most important thing is the team and the three points we got so we're happy for that."

Over the course of the last three games, Klopp has overseen wins against the Barclays Premier League champions from the past two seasons in City and Chelsea.

But a disappointing defeat to Crystal Palace at Anfield preceded the international break and Skrtel is now keen for the Reds to start winning at home.

"It's a great result for everyone, it gives you confidence when you beat Chelsea or Manchester City," he explained.

"We just need to improve the home form because the last game against Crystal Palace we lost. 

"It wasn't good but I think we showed today how good we are and how good we can be, we just need to carry on this way."

The centre-back also underlined his desire to use Saturday's result as a springboard to better form that could help Liverpool climb the table during an unpredictable league campaign.

"The table is tight and the Christmas period is always very important for every single team and it's going to be the same for us," he continued.

"The win that we got today is very good for our confidence going into the next games. 

"We're just going from game to game and trying to get as many points as we can.

"We know what we play for, we know our targets, and we'll try to do our best to achieve them."