(Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Liverpool 2 - 0 Manchester United
The Manchester United fans brought the Eric Cantona face masks. They brought the goading banners. They brought the beach balls. Someone forgot to bring the team.
The vultures were circling over Anfield. Merseyside had endured a torrid week in Europe. Liverpool’s season was spiraling out of control and the possibility of a fourth consecutive defeat was intolerable.
If there was ever a perfect opportunity for United to conquer Anfield, Sunday was it.
The United fans were baying for blood.
Rafa Benitez was without his inspirational captain, Steven Gerrard. The Kop was provided with some solace with the return of Fernando Torres and Glen Johnson to the starting line-up.
Meanwhile, Ferguson had to make do without the injured Darren Fletcher, whose biting presence was missed in midfield. Instead, Scholes partnered Carrick in the centre of the park while Valencia and Giggs provided the width.
The ingredients for an electric encounter between the two rivals were present: nothing less than three points would be sufficient for the home side; and the Red Devils eager to overtake Chelsea at the summit of the league, while the return of Owen to the temple where he was once worshipped ensured that there would be a high-octane atmosphere.
In truth, Manchester United were never afforded time to settle by a robust and ruthless Liverpool unit. The home side were back to their robotic best.
Yossi Benayoun replaced Gerrard in the hole behind Torres and produced some deft touches and neat passes as he looked to unlock the sturdy defensive duo of Ferdinand and Vidic at every available opportunity.
Lucas has been subjected to much criticism as a cloud of depression descended over Anfield. Yet he was ever-present throughout the 90 minutes, winning 50-50’s, helping to build attacks and even make the odd foray into towards Van Der Saar’s goal.
His detractors have been silenced, if only temporarily.
The game sparked into life on 15 minutes. Patrice Evra felled Torres on the edge of the area. It afforded Aurelio the opportunity to have a sight on goal.
He looked to create a carbon copy of that spectacular free kick at Old Trafford last March. The Brazilian's curling effort was clawed away, thanks to a superb save by United’s No. 1.
Minutes later, Liverpool were on the attack again.
Lucas stole the ball from Scholes and his well-timed pass found Kuyt. The striker strode into the box but tamely rolled his effort across the goal. It was a disappointing attempt but nevertheless the chance injected confidence which flowed through the veins of the players in red.
United escaped unscathed from these two scares and promptly regrouped. The midfield became condensed, with both sides surrendering possession easily and conceding reckless fouls.
The battle between Valencia and Insua began to heat up. The Ecuadoran played a crucial role in the away side's best opening in a first half in which Rooney and Berbatov were given scant scope to make an impact on the game.
Valencia managed to dig a cross out. It was met by the airborne Rooney, but his header was tame and it was easily gathered by Reina.
At the other end, Aurelio also came close with his head. He nodded Benayoun’s cross earthwards, but van der Sar was on hand to scoop the ball into his chest.
Ryan Giggs was shoved to the ground within Reina’s area shortly before half time. The referee Andre Mariner waved for play to continue. When he called an end to the first half, he was escorted off the pitch by a discontent Giggs and an exasperated Carragher.
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