Reds robbed by ref in United defeat

Liverpool were left ruing mistakes made by referee Mark Halsey yesterday after their poor start to the season continued with a 2-1 reverse at home to Manchester United, as the game swung on several controversial refereeing decisions that didn't go the Reds' way. Halsey's sending off of Jonjo Shelvey, cheap award of a penalty to Robin van Persie and refusal to listen to penalty shouts from the hosts left Kopites deeply frustrated and wondering whether the 51-year old official is in fact Howard Webb in disguise.

In the build up to this highly-charged contest media reports centred on the behaviour of both sets of supporters in wake of the Hillsborough Independent Panel's findings, which cleared Liverpool fans of all responsibility for the tragedy. Before kick-off there were a series of emotional events. United ambassador Sir Bobby Charlton presented Liverpool legend Ian Rush with flowers to lay at Anfield's Hillsborough memorial, Gerrard and Giggs released 96 red balloons into the sky and Anfield created three mosaics that read "TRUTH", "JUSTICE" and "96". Both sets of players wore jackets with "96" printed on the back during the pre-match handshake, which Suarez and Evra thankfully participated in, putting to bed the tension between the pair.

The Kop's pre-match mosaic

Unfortunately, some United supporters chanted offensive songs about the Hillsborough and Heysel disasters while they were kept behind after the conclusion of the contest, but at least respect was shown to the 96 and their families before the match began.

Inspired by the magnitude of the occasion, Brendan Rodgers' side started the better and dominated the first half, eventually receiving the reward their hard work warranted at the beginning of the second period. During the opening quarter of an hour, Suarez tested Lindegaard, Gerrard struck inches wide from Shelvey's clever low corner and Borini's effort was blocked. Suarez then curled over midway through the first half, before the Uruguyuan danced his way into the box but saw his shot blocked by Rio Ferdinand, as the home side's onslaught continued at full pace.

On 38 minutes, though, the Merseysiders' momentum was halted as Jonjo Shelvey, whose excellent performance and two goals in Switzerland on Thursday earned him a place in the starting line-up, saw red for a sliding tackle on Jonny Evans. It was a disappointing decision as Shelvey didn't go into the tackle two-footed, unlike Evans, and clearly won the ball. Although he undoubtedly deserved a yellow card, a sending off was extremely harsh on the 20-year old. Frustrated, Shelvey then proceeded to voice his anger at United boss Sir Alex Ferguson on his way down the tunnel, which was probably unwise. 

Nonetheless, Liverpool remained in the ascendancy and broke the deadlock immediately after the restart. Suso, who had replaced the injured Borini at the break, made an instant impact, skillfully creating space and crossing into the box. The ball eventually fell to skipper Steven Gerrard, who swivelled superbly before firing a left-footed volley into the corner of the net.

Gerrard opens the scoring

Irritatingly, Gerrard's goal seemed to kick the previously poor United into life, and they responded soon after  through Brazilian right back Rafael, who sensationally curled home from inside the box to level the scoreline. Just before the hour mark, referee Halsey gave Liverpool fans more reason to complain as he ignored their cries for a spot kick when Suarez was clipped by Evans in the box and then a classic Paul Scholes tackle flattened Raheem Sterling. Although whether Evans' foul on Suarez warranted a penalty is arguable (the number seven didn't help his cause with a dramatic fall), there is no doubt that Scholes fouled Sterling and thus Halsey certainly should have pointed to the spot.

To make matters worse, after Suarez and Suso saw shots saved, United were awarded a decisive spot kick 14 minutes from time. Liverpool lost the ball up-field, leaving left back Glen Johnson stranded. As Valencia broke forward, the England international desperately tried to catch up with him. Unfortunately, when he eventually did so, he was adjudged to have fouled the former Wigan winger, despite scarcely making contact with him. After a long delay due to treatment of Daniel Agger's injury, which was suffered in the build-up, Van Persie stood up and converted past Reina, despite the Spaniard getting a firm touch to the ball. 

Van Persie breaks Red hearts

Martin Kelly headed agonisingly wide from Johnson's cross on 83 minutes but unfortunately Liverpool couldn't muster a late leveller. Moreover, the Reds ended the match with nine men after Kelly left the pitch just minutes before the end with a knee injury that potentially could see him on the sidelines until the New Year. Add to that injuries picked up by Borini and Agger and overall it was a thoroughly miserable afternoon for Liverpool. There remain positives, of course, namely our first half dominance, style of play and the performance of Suso, but frustration is undoubtedly the prevailing emotion, not just after this match, but following five, admittedly tough, League fixtures that have yielded a mere two points.

However, football was put into perspective by the pre-match commemorations of the Hillsborough disaster yesterday. The 96, not Mark Halsey or Jonjo Shelvey, must be those we remember in the aftermath of yet another classic Liverpool-Manchester United contest.

Justice for the 96- You'll Never Walk Alone