Liverpool vs. Manchester United: Northwest Rivals Share the Spoils at Anfield

The afternoon started off with something of a shock when the Red Devils team sheet showed Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez and Luis Nani all on the bench.

Conversely, the Liverpool list showed, as expected, the return of one Steven Gerrard. It's easy to imagine a fair few smiles on the red half of Merseyside at this particular announcement and, in the opening stages of the game, it was certainly Liverpool who had the extra spring in their step.

The away team were unable to string together the flowing passing movement of recent times and were unable to make use of the wings as much as they would have liked. This was due in part to the eager defending of Liverpool as well as to the lacklustre passing on display.

Both sides struggled to get much going for themselves; a Phil Jones header from close range went into the side netting and a Park Ji-Sung burst forward resulted in a wild left-footed shot that went high and wide. I could tell you about a Darren Fletcher shot from distance that resembled something my niece would produce, but there's very little point.

Liverpool had the better looking possession for periods of the half, with the left-wing very well catered for in Jose Enrique and the ever-improving Stewart Downing. Steven Gerrard was showing once again the grit and determination around the park that he has built a reputation on; even as a Manchester fan, I must say I'm delighted to see him back. Charlie Adam was solid in midfield and it was a deflection of his shot that left Luis Suarez with the best opportunity for either side in the first half when he essentially confused Johnny Evans inside the box, only to hit his shot towards a steady David De Gea who parried the ball away. 

As Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness put it, the first half was a case of "two good football teams cancelling each other out."

Sir Alex would have been pleased in the way his side dealt with the early pressure and stayed solid at the back whilst King Kenny of Dalglish will have surely been enthused by his side's lack of fear in their play.

The first five minutes of the second half showed much greater promise than the first with the two teams looking more determined to chase a result rather than continue this attritional affair. An Ashley Young effort from the right, a Luis Suarez shot from distance; all the signs were there that we would have a result one way or the other.

Around the hour mark, Jordan Henderson replaced Lucas for Liverpool to serve as a reminder of the wealth of English talent on display. What many of us wanted to see, however, was a home-bred talent of a different kind. Wayne Rooney remained seated as the second half wore on and with increasing pressure from a buoyant home side (Suarez in particular was looking dangerous), his omission seemed more and more peculiar.

After 67 minutes, Liverpool were awarded a free kick for the most minimal of touches by Rio Ferdinand on Charlie Adam just outside the box, which Steven Gerrard duly slotted through a hole in the defending wall that Ryan Giggs must take full blame for. Cue bedlam. Anfield erupted in a wash of joy and relief as their continued pressure had borne fruit. Immediately following the goal, Rooney and Nani were brought on to replace Ashley Young and Park Ji-Sung, which personally only made me question the sense in not starting the pair.

Fergie's men dominated possession following the goal, but, as had been the case thus far, there was no way of breaking through in the final attack.

Welbeck had been industrious for much of the game and, much to his credit, never stopped trying. Rooney was playing deeper than his normal centre-forward role and after 75 minutes, Hernandez came on to replace Phil Jones. Such attacking power would result in a nervous last 15 minutes for both sides.

Right on cue, an 80th-minute corner from the left swung in to the Liverpool box, aided by a flick-on from Welbeck found its way to an oncoming Hernandez to head home. With the game tied at 1-1, Dirk Kuyt latched onto a fantastic ball just yards from De Gea's goal but his shot was wonderfully parried away by the Spaniard.

At the risk of sounding cliche, the game really did look like it go either way in the last 10 minutes.

Chances were becoming scrappier until Downing's long-range lash that narrowly went over the bar and, with just two minutes of normal time remaining, another free kick within range was awarded to Liverpool which Gerrard will have been disappointed not to have made more of.

Then, with 90 minutes showing on the clock, Jordan Henderson unleashed a magnificent, dipping volley that De Gea did equally well to shove wide of the goal for a corner. Stoppage time was largely dominated by the home side, but by the time the referee's whistle blew for full-time, I for one had had more than enough.

On the balance, I would say the Manchester mob will have been more pleased with the result while Dalglish's men will be satisfied with their confident performance, but perhaps a little disappointed not to have taken all three points.

A largely enjoyable game without doubt and probably the fairest outcome in the end.

All eyes now move to Eastlands to see if City can overcome Aston Villa to take the top spot for themselves before facing the Red Devils next week. Whatever happens, the season is well and truly hotting up.