A moment of magic from Suarez allowed Kuyt to open the scoring after 34 minutes, before a misplaced header from United winger Nani gave Kuyt a great opportunity to double our advantage only five minutes later, which the 30-year old forward gratefully accepted. Suarez was again involed as Kuyt scored his third tap in mid-way through the second half, before Hernandez headed home a late consolation for the despondent visitors.
Before the match the twin aims of securing qualification for European competition and disrupting the visitor's title challenge were at the forefront of Reds' supporters minds. Those lofty aspirations seemed more realistic when it was revealed that Suarez would be starting up front alongside Kuyt, as Dalglish set out to penetrate United's vulnerable back line, particularly considering the absence of Ferdinand and Vidic through injury and suspension respectively. Meanwhile, Lucas, Gerrard and Meireles lined up in midfield, Aurelio arrived in our back four in place of the injured Martin Kelly and Andy Carroll began on the bench following a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Liverpool were on top in the opening exchanges, with Maxi dragging well wide of goal after brilliant play from the home side had carved open an opportunity for the Argentinian winger, before Suarez expertly controlled Lucas' pass with his chest and rifled a volley over from 25 yards. On 18 minutes Kuyt was inches away from tapping Meireles' header home, however the best chance fell to Dimitar Berbatov, as the Bulgarian's swerving and threatening volley clipped Reina's post on its way wide.
A reshuffle at the back was then required as Aurelio, who has been plagued with injuries throughout his five year stay at the club, had to be replaced by the imperious Sotirios Kyrgiakos after the Brazilian had pulled up with an injury. As a result Glen Johnson moved to left back while Jamie Carragher reverted to right back and Kyrgiakos partnered Skrtel in the centre. That substitution had delayed a United corner, but when the long-awaited set piece was finally swung into the box Meireles was forced to hook off the line from Brown's effort.
Suarez had shown flashes of skill and promise throughout the first period however a moment of truly world class ability was reserved for the 34th minute, when the Uruguayan emulated fellow South American footballing legend Diego Maradona as he superbly evaded three defenders inside a crowded penalty area, before rolling the ball across the line for Kuyt to tap home from inches out. It was an exquisite piece of excellence, which will live long in the memory of those who witnessed it.
Although the opener was all down to pure class from Suarez, Liverpool were gifted a second goal only five minutes later when Nani inexplicably ballooned a header back across his own goal, presenting the lurking Dirk Kuyt the perfect chance to double both his personal tally and our lead. Kuyt took full advantage to nod home and put the hosts in the driving seat going into what must have been an uncomfortable interval for Fergie's misfiring troops.
There was still time for a mass melee between both sets of players though as two terrible tackles disappointingly concluded an otherwise enjoyable and entertaining first half. First, Carragher was booked after a high tackle on Nani had floored the play-acting Portuguese, who then proceeded to ironically injure himself as he unwisely rushed over to the referee to demand Carragher's sending off.
The crunching challenge from Carragher, which admittedly warranted a red card, dispayed the age-old passion that continues to characterise this fiercely contested fixture, however Nani's pathetic crying afterwards betrayed the tainted form of commitment that permeates the modern game.
Minutes later Rafael jumped into a dangerous two-footed tackle on Lucas Leiva. It was a horrific challenge from the Brazilian right back on his compatriot and another clash of handbags inevitably followed. Referee Phil Dowd sensibly stood away to allow the situation to cool down, before flashing a yellow card in the direction of Rafael, who was relieved not to see red.
After such a poor first 45 minutes the away side were looking to grab a goal back quickly at the start of the second period, however Liverpool continued to control the contest, with Van der Sar managing to gather Meireles' cross just ahead of skipper Steven Gerrard after yet more sublime skill from Suarez.
United soon responded with a spell of pressure, as Hernandez hooked Giggs' cross wide before the Welshman, who became United's all time record appearance holder yesterday, screamed a shot inches over Reina's bar. On the hour mark Giggs' corner flew over everybody until Rooney recovered possession and sent the ball back into the danger area, where Meireles crucially cleared off the line from Berbatov's close range header.
Only five minutes later Kuyt and Suarez combined to put the outcome beyond doubt, as Kuyt reacted quickest to convert yet another tap in after Van der Sar had fumbled Suarez's whipped free kick straight into the path of the opportunistic Dutchman. With the points secured Andy Carroll replaced Raul Meireles to make his debut for the Reds, receiving an audible welcome from the Anfield faithful in the process. In keeping with his reputation, Carroll's first touch of the ball in a Liverpool shirt was a header that Van der Sar comfortably gathered.
By this stage the hosts were playing exciting exhibition football, with Kuyt drilling a volley over after Carroll had nodded Maxi's cross down, before Gerrard rifled a fantastic strike just over the bar from fully thirty yards. Meanwhile, the Kop sung a belated "Happy Birthday" to manager Kenny Dalglish, who greatly appreciated both the fans' gesture and the three points that were eventually acquired after Hernandez had netted a consolation with a free header inside the box in injury time.
This well deserved win takes Liverpool to the dizzying heights of sixth place in the Premier League and, perhaps more satisfyingly, halts Manchester United's charge towards a record nineteenth League title. Our now shared record of eighteen League titles is a great source of pride for Reds supporters and to see United surpass our total would represent a devastating and decisive shift in footballing power away from Anfield that has been steadily occuring throughout the Premier League era.
However, all that Dalglish and his men can do is concentrate on improving and building upon the confidence that has been generated from a recent run of encouraging results, only marred by the defeat to West Ham last weekend, which now appears to have been simply a momentary blip.
The Reds will now complete a Europa Leeague double-header against SC Braga before returning to League action at Sunderland's Stadium of Light, where we will look to consolidate sixth position in order to secure Europa League action next season.
YNWA
No comments:
Post a Comment