Liverpool 0 – 1 Man Utd

There was an unbelievable pace to the opening period as Liverpool started the way they normally try to – at 100mph. The home side were pressing high up the pitch and really trying to impose themselves. This led to a few half chances, Kuyt with a flicked shot that went over and a long range effort from Hyppia, but nothing substantial.

The game had just settled down after the 25mins when Torres’ header was cleared off the line form a Liverpool corner. United were hardly on the ropes but were cagey in attack, leaving few holes for Liverpool to exploit.

Liverpool again saw the ball cleared off the line on 30mins when Van Der Saar came for a high ball but badly misjudged it and luckily for him Evra was quick to recover.

It wasn’t a game for the forwards as Rooney, Ronaldo and Torres were hardly involved as the congested, midfield battle carried on.

Liverpool were looking the better as the half drew to a close but United, being United!, managed to nick one on 42mins. A well-worked corner saw Rooney’s shot come across Tevez who poked it over a helpless Reina and give an undeserved lead to the visitors.

The home side looked to right this wrong immediately after the break as they started on the front foot with shots on goal from Gerrard and Torres within minutes of the re-start.

There was a lot more room in the second half as Liverpool really pressed for an equaliser but a conservative-looking United refused to commit men forward.

The closest Liverpool came was when Babel (on for Kewell) went just wide from 20 yards on 75mins. United followed that with the best move of the game as Ronaldo broke and picked out Rooney in the box only for the England striker to hit wide.

Untied’s organisation and defending was commendable as Liverpool threw bodies forward. But the visitors signalled their intent on 82mins when they brought Carrick on for Tevez and they stubbornly held on to their lead from there.

You could say United did “A Liverpool” to Liverpool. Sir Alex backed up his statement that this year’s league could be decided by such meetings of the top four by making sure his side definitely didn’t lose.

Man of the Match: Owen Hargreaves – a great defensive midfield performance with crucial interceptions, well timed tackles and an excellent work-rate.