Sturridge the bright spark as Utd defeat Reds

Liverpool were left to rue a poor first half performance at Old Trafford yesterday lunchtime as, despite a spirited second half comeback, the Reds fell to a 2-1 defeat to arch-rivals Manchester United. Billed as a contest between the Premier League's two most prolific strikers, Luis Suarez and Robin Van Persie, the latter appeared to come out on top, netting the opener and then setting up the second.

The former, meanwhile, struggled to have an impact on the match and the away side relied more on substitute Daniel Sturridge. He didn't disappoint, scoring an instinctive goal, but couldn't manage to secure a point for Brendan Rodgers' side. Perhaps the game would have panned out differently had the manager been bold and started him up front alongside Suarez and Downing.

Instead, Liverpool looked timid and overawed during a first half that the hosts clearly dominated. Their dominance was rewarded after 19 minutes, as Evra burst down the left and accurately crossed to Van Persie, who slid the ball beyond Reina and into the net.

Van Persie, Evra and Cleverley celebrate the opening goal

Manchester United showed their class for the rest of the first 45 minutes, peppering Pepe Reina's goal with shots. First, Van Persie's shot flew over the bar, before Welbeck's fierce effort went off target and Tom Cleverley's fantastic volley went worryingly close to doubling the Reds Devils' lead. The struggling Joe Allen also nearly cost the visitors a goal, passing straight to Welbeck in a threatening area. Thankfully, Agger was on hand to deny him with a brilliant tackle.

On the stroke of half time, United wasted their best chance to double their lead just before the break. Rafael turned Johnson inside and out in the box and then set up Van Persie, whose inventive back heel appeared destined to find the bottom corner. With the help of his defence, Reina eventually managed to clear the danger, although the Spanish keeper took a heavy blow from Kagawa during the scramble, which required treatment.

At the break, Daniel Sturridge replaced Lucas Leiva, although Allen arguably should have been substituted instead, as his below-par form persisted into the second period, Van Persie blasting a set piece over after Allen had committed a foul in a dangerous area. 

Signs of more attacking intent from Liverpool emerged when Wisdom broke free on the right but screwed well wide of goal. However, United dealt their rivals another blow soon after, Evra's header from Van Persie's free kick brushing the arguably offside Vidic on its way into the net.

Sturridge restored hope for Liverpool straight away, though, with a poacher's finish that will please Kopites. Gerrard's drilled effort- the Reds' first shot in anger- was parried away into the path of the onrushing Sturridge, who neatly tucked home.

Lifeline- Sturridge turns to Suarez after grabbing a goal back

Although it won't win any goal of the month awards, the goal demonstrated the difference Sturridge can make to the side. As a striker, Sturridge possesses the instinctive qualities of a finisher and is willing to gamble on latching onto a rebound and therefore finding the net. Midfielders such as Downing and Sterling lack this clinical streak in the goalmouth area and are therefore comparably ineffective in front of goal. With two goals in two games, Sturridge is already proving his worth to the side. 

Back from injury, fellow forward Fabio Borini went close to levelling when he volleyed just wide of the post after good build-up work by Sturridge. If the Italian can improve on the form he displayed before he suffered a foot injury then Liverpool may finally have some striking options. Rodgers should be on the look out for another striker, nonetheless.

With five minutes left on the clock, Sturridge spurned the opportunity to equalise at Old Trafford and become an instant hero. Suarez bravely rode challenge after challenge in the penalty area before the ball fell to the number 15. Frustratingly, he sent the strike too high and a great chance to level was squandered. 

There was still time for Sturridge to smash into the side-netting but the Reds just couldn't manage to equalise and, but for a decent Reina save, may have lost by a wider margin after Van Persie sent a clever shot goalwards. 

Despite the inevitable disappointment of losing to our major rivals, losing to Manchester United wasn't unexpected considering the respective sides' squad strength and depth. A draw would have been an excellent result, but a narrow defeat isn't the end of the world. Sure, it's a setback, but one from which the Reds should easily recover, starting with victory over Norwich City at Anfield next Saturday. 

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Suarez, Sturridge and Borini were very good!- Aras Rasa Cokelat

Allen is a waste of £15 million. All he does is pass backwards. Poor performance from Lucas, Sterling and Allen. - Gerardo Fabregas 

YNWA