Written off before the game, backs against the wall, the media having a field day – sound familiar? Of course it would, we’re Liverpool. We’re always written off before we get a chance. And that really isn’t the best thing to do, as United found out today.
There were no surprising line-ups being fielded, with Torres & Johnson making their expected returns, and Gerrard sitting this one out. United were without Fletcher, with Carrick being fielded instead.
The first-half was a tight affair, with both teams starting relatively brightly and trying their utmost to keep possession. It was a half in which the Reds created much, but were unable to find the back of the net.
The first chance fell to Fabio Aurelio, who had a free kick 25-yards out – the Brazilian’s effort was heading towards the top-corner, but a fantastic double-save from Van der Sar stopped not only Aurelio’s curling shot, but Kuyt’s follow up too.
The Reds’ second opportunity fell to Kuyt, when the ever-improving Lucas out-muscled Paul Scholes and started to run at the United defenders. A perfect pass to Kuyt looked as if it was setting up to be a vital goal, but Kuyt couldn’t get the ball out from under his feet and sent the shot despairingly wide.
But it wasn’t all Liverpool. United had a break on a couple of times, and one in particular saw Valencia beat Insua down the left and send a cross in to Rooney – who headed it straight at Reina. That would be the only save Reina had to make for over an hour. From then on, it was all the Red machine clicking into gear and whirring into motion.
Another good chance reared its head on the 36th minute when the lively Yossi Benayoun skinned Evra and crossed to Aurelio at the back post. The Brazilian’s header was highly reminiscent of Rooney’s – it was straight at the ‘keeper.
After half-time there a few decent attacks that mounted to nothing, with United countering at every opportunity they could. Pretty much their last decent effort of the game was when they won a free-kick outside the Liverpool area. Giggs swung the ball in, and Torres connected with a superb defensive-header – despite Berbatov being flagged as offside.
Liverpool found yet another gear and started going into overdrive. Benayoun played a wonderful through-ball to Torres who slid past Ferdinand with relative ease and slammed the ball into the roof of the net. An expert finish for an expert striker. 1-0.
Almost immeditely after, Kuyt wasted yet another chance as Liverpool continued with the relentless attacks, looking to possibly kill the game off with a second goal. Played through by the effective Lucas, the Dutchman dragged another shot wide – obviously not spotting Aurelio who was unmarked at the far post.
On the 73rd minute Michael Owen was introduced to very loud jeers and boos from all around Anfield. Perhaps this affected his confidence, as he did very little to trouble the Reds’ defence. The one time he looked to be the slightest bit menacing, Carragher looked to haul him down just outside the box – and got a yellow card for his efforts.
From the resulting free-kick, Nani shot straight into Reina’s awaiting arms. That would be the second and final save that the Spaniard had to make all day.
United piled on the pressure towards the end, but the Reds’ defence stood firm and weren’t phased. A clearance towards a waiting Kuyt on the half-way line was greeted by Vidic who promptly hauled the Dutchman down when he looked to be clean through. The Serbian received his second yellow of the night, and his third red in the games against Liverpool.
Mascherano was also sent off in the 94th minute due to a crunching challenge on Van der Sar, and was booked for the second time of the match.
After some sloppy United play, Kuyt and Lucas helped feed David N’Gog through on the break, creating a 1-on-1 situation with the United ‘keeper. Needless to say, the Frenchman slotted home expertly. 2-0. Game over.
Post Match Comments
Rafael Benitez:
“We showed character and the way the fans got behind the players was like having a 12th man.
“Everyone worked together and we won. The players answered a lot of questions with that performance.
“We just take it one game at a time, we can’t be too excited with today.”
Teams
Liverpool: Reina, Insua, Agger, Carragher (c), Johnson, Aurelio, Mascherano, Leiva, Benayoun, Torres, Kuyt.
Subs: Cavalieri, Voronin, Babel, Ngog, Skrtel, Spearing, Degen
Manchester United: Van der Sar, Evra, Ferdinand, Vidic, O’Shea, Giggs (c), Carrick, Scholes, Valencia, Berbatov, Rooney.
Subs: Foster, Neville, Owen, Anderson, Nani, Fabio da Silva, Evans
Attendance: 44,188
Ref: Andre Marriner
Our Man of the Match
Jamie Carragher was an absolute rock at the back today, and seems to be back to his best.
Men against boys spring to mind???
Well done RED MEN lets milk this for now .
This game is massive throughout the world and we came out on top again .Lets keep it up Reds. weve got our pride back and lets prove that we are not papering over the cracks.
THE MIGHTY REDS LFC MY HOME TOWN TEAM
lfc are the best we won the last game
Rampant Reds unleash hell on the Devils…..
we have won the battle but the war has just begun
liverpool defeated the devils and got in the league once again
I love this sport. I love REDS
Yes Ido
what a performance,the reds for sure showed their best game since the start of the season and i’m confident about Jamie regaining his last season form……… Liverpool is back to business……watch out they are going to win the league just like sea the stars won the L’arc de triomph………we are born Liverpool fans and we’ll die as Liverpool fans…..we are the best…..You’ll never walk alone!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What a performance from the lads, we may have been a wounded team but the team showed character.
Liverpool for life !!!!!!!!!
Ps. the united guys gave me a tongue lashing on Friday but today they no where to be seen.
Hi guys, great performance and a good three points.
I cannot but feel though that we are only papering over the cracks.
I,ve been a Liverpool fan since the 1970’s. This was one of the best wins we’ve had. The lads did great, balls to the wall they showed courage. Great goals, great team performance. They need to now kick into gear for the rest of the season. The best thing was the smile on King Kenny’s face, it took me back to the glory days.
“Rafa out, Rafa out, Rafa out”
GO LIVERPOOL
That’s the Anfield gank battle, Carra such a determined captain and Agger so deceisive centre back, (what Berba can do ? ). Javier run around the pitch, Youssi dribble untill death and Torres strike a beauty goal..congrats for Mr. RB
I hope we keep winning games in this manner… Cheers to all REDS!
Now that all the euphoria is over what has become even more obvious is that we only really perform against our greatest rivals thus still lack the consistency level required to be title contenders.Yes it was a great win but i expected it today so let’s not get too carried away because we’re still a two-man team that on a day like today is capable of producing against the odds.
Rafa has a long way to go before he convinces me of being the man for the job though i understand that we can’t afford sacking him so have little choice other then to put up with him for now.
Which two men are they then, cos the captain was injured and Torres wasn’t even 100% fit.
I’d top your glass up if I were you cos it’s looking a bit empty
I don’t drink booze so my glass is just fine!.Yeah Torres was half-fit and Gerrard was in the stands but we won so hooray on that!.As i say that we’re capable of putting on such shows but consistency is the key!.Do that in the next twenty games and i may consider shutting my mouth whilst giving Rafa a breather!
It was a reference to the glass being half empty or half full, not booze. You are absolutely correct though, it is very frustrating to see us play so well and be up for the game against sides like the mancs, but play so dismally against so called lesser opposition. And yes, this result will mean nothing if we don’t build on it. One win isn’t a sign that everything is back on track and that our players are world beaters, just as one defeat doesn’t mean the manager is clueless and the squad is rubbish. Perspective is all I ask from our fans.
Was in the Kop as usual, this was just like the old days!
We outsang them, outplayed them, what a fantastic day!
We’restill in crisis but if the players start playing like what they’re paid for we have a chance!
Oh Campione, The One And Only, Liverpool!
todays game was how the reds should play every game. torres once again proved he can score against the big teams. reinas celebration after ngogs goal memorable. david has jumped ahead of babel in pecking order. vidic now has 3 red cards against the reds what an advert for uniteds defence. the supporters were are 12th player today.4 points behind man utd. what a difference a day makles well done lads.
Torres made Vidic look a C*** again..Vidic just cant cope he acts like a teenage girl trying to swat a spider, its just pure terror when he sees Torres coming…They alll worked hard to wipe the smile off the old jocks face…The pub errupted at the first goal and as the Mancs crept out…Best game of the season i recon
I will be watching the highlights on match of the day 2 as i dont have sky.I have surported liverpool for many years yet have only seen them play once live at westham united last year.Maybe one day i will get too ANFIELD for a game until then keep up the good work.
well done the pool, what a result. Will this be the turning point for us. We played as a team, as a winning team. Best of all as im sure you will all agree, it was against united . COME ON YOU REDS!
awesum result guys,lets hope this win kicks of our season and see if we can go unbeaten for the rest of the season,lets not forget judas owen lol,bet he thought he was going to go past carra and score,but carra showed him whose boss,overall very happy liverpool fan
What a match this was? I will always love REDS, Woooooooooo!!!! Hahahahahahahahah…… Iam happy
I like many…many……many others have not been a fan of Lucas, credit where it is due he did a good job today…. the whole team did, I thought Babel would have been used instead of Ngog, but even that decision went well. I dont want to get too excited about this result…….. but its hard not to…… come on lads.. lets have this kind of effort every game
Now that was one hell of a manc spank and we didn’t even have Stevie G on the pitch who knows what the score would have been.
That has made my week.
New Investors due in within 6 months now all we have to do is get rid of them Yanks.
You got the date wrong 🙂
LOL I am the same mate I do not know what I am doing. Totally buzzed.
YNWA
Cheers mate, all over the place at the moment!
Brilliant game, fully deserved 3 points. It was hard picking MotM, I tell you that!