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Manchester United came from behind to earn a 2-1 victory over a spirited Liverpool team at Anfield. The rivalry between two of the most successful clubs in English football has never lacked in intensity, but the incidents related to the Hillsborough disaster made it a tense and emotional afternoon. Sir Bobby Charlton presented Liverpool legend Ian Rush with a tribute of 96 roses and Steven Gerrard and Ryan Giggs released 96 balloons to remember the 96 Liverpool fans who met with tragedy at Hillsborough.
There was warm applause from the crowd for a handshake between Patrice Evra and Luis Suarez. With the pre-match pleasantries done, the game in the middle turned out to be a hotly contested affair. Rafael and Robin Van Persie though made sure that United kept pace with Chelsea at the top of the Barclays Premier League points table.
United were missing Nemanja Vidic and Jonny Evans replaced him in the starting line-up. Anders Lindegaard replaced David De Gea in goal. Brendan Rodgers gave a start to Jonjo Shelvey alongside Raheem Sterling as Liverpool looked to bring an aggressive approach to the match. It was the Merseysiders who made the brighter start to the game, with Luis Suarez and Sterling going close with shots from tight angles which Lindegaard did well to save. A smartly worked corner routine gave Steven Gerrard the chance to shoot at goal but his shot went narrowly wide. Manchester United seemed to be lost for options at the attacking end.
It was all Liverpool in the first half, but their finishing and some indecisive play in the final third kept them from scoring. When the Reds and the Red Devils collide someone is bound to see red, that’s exactly what transpired as Liverpool had Jonjo Shelvey sent-off for a two-footed lunge on Jonny Evans. Referee Mark Halsey pulled out a straight red for Shelvey. The sending off seemed to be a bit harsh as Shelvey could have been let off with a yellow. The young Liverpool player walked off utterly disgusted and had a few words for Sir Alex too on his way into the tunnel. The first half ended scoreless.
Liverpool’s momentum was slowed because of the Shelvey incident. But United uncharacteristically did nothing to take advantage. Nani had another bad afternoon as nothing seemed to come off for him. The form of the Portuguese international is fast becoming a source of concern for Sir Alex. United had an injury scare when Ferdinand landed awkwardly after he went up for a defensive header and required treatment, but the big man picked himself up and carried on. Glen Johnson had a good first half for Liverpool but the delivery from the other side by Martin Kelly was disappointing. Borini again was non-existent, Suarez along with young Sterling were the only players posing constant threat to the Manchester United goal.
Both teams made a change each during the half time break, Paul Scholes came on for United replacing Nani while Liverpool brought on Fernandez Saez (Suso) for Borini. Liverpool began the first half with attacking intent and were rewarded almost immediately after the restart when after good work from Suso and Glen Johnson on the flank, Steven Gerrard controlled the ball in the United box and volleyed low into the corner to beat Lindegaard. The goal seemed like just reward for Liverpool’s industry.
United though looked much more assured with Scholes pulling the strings in midfield and seemed more confident going forward. It did not take much long for United to respond and what a response it was! On 51 minutes, Kagawa chested down Valencia’s cross into the path of Rafael and the young Brazilian stunned Anfield with a magnificent curler off his left foot beating Jose Reina.
The balance seemed to have shifted and the game became more open as both sides looked to claim all three points. But the one man advantage for Manchester United finally had a telling impact on 76 minutes, when Valencia showed explosive pace to beat Daniel Agger and Glen Johnson to a loose ball, the Liverpool duo collided with each other as Valencia left them in his wake. The United number 7 carried the ball into the Liverpool penalty area and waited for the defense to come near him and went down inside the box to earn United a penalty.
The penalty again was rather harsh on Liverpool as Valencia seemed to go down rather easily. Robin Van Persie stepped up and waited for almost an age as Agger received treatment on the field, and after the defender was stretchered off the Dutch striker converted the penalty to give United the lead. Pepe Reina got a hand to Van Persie’s effort and would have felt extremely unlucky at not having kept it out. United held firm to defend their lead in the last 9 minutes and the added injury time.
Loud boos could be heard inside Anfield as the players and Mark Halsey left the field after the final whistle. Liverpool are seriously in a spot of bother now as just don’t seem to have a way to put the ball in the opposition’s net. They might already be eagerly awaiting the opening of the January transfer window, but will that be too late for luck to change at Anfield?
Only time will tell.
Manchester United though seem to come up with important goals when they need them. Their worry would be to keep the squad healthy and also to find the right balance in midfield because Nani has been terribly off-color until now and Scholes and Giggs are not getting any younger. Sir Alex would be extremely happy to get this important away win. Brendan Rodgers on the other hand would be wondering what he should do to earn that elusive first win in the Premier League for Liverpool.
