‘The Biggest club game in world football’ was how Sir Alex Ferguson described this huge encounter in the pre-match press conference. Kenny Dalglish, on the other hand, attempted to play down the game as ‘just another 3 points ’. But actions speak louder than words, however, and King Kenny showed this in his team selection as he slung newly-fit Steven Gerrard straight into the equation.
In sharp contrast the shock on match day was that Sir Alex had left Rooney, after the disappointment of his international ban being extended, along with Hernandez and Nani on the bench. Although this was a surprise to his starting line-up, it gave him scope for totally changing the shape of his team if needed later in the day.
This was the 193rd meeting between the two sides in all competitions. United edge the head-to-head record by 71-61 but have not beaten a team managed by Kenny Dalglish at Anfield in the League since Sir Alex's very first visit, on Boxing Day 1986.
On a perfect day at Anfield the game started slowly, with Liverpool maybe edging United out throughout the first half. Suarez probably should have scored on 35 minutes after the ball broke to him on the edge of the area. Twisting and turning, he gained a yard on Evans before sending the ball down the throat of De Gea who parried away. Apart from Suarez’ chance, neither keeper was really tested in the 1st half, with both teams seemingly happy not to concede in the opening stages.
The second half began with intense pressure, with Liverpool creating an array of chances, testing the United defence. Their hard work paid off when midway through the second half, Charlie Adam picked up the ball on the half way line, ghosted through the United midfield and was deemed to have been tripped by Ferdinand on the edge of the box giving Gerrard the opportunity to put his side ahead. Gerrard hit it from 20 yards with the ball going through the United wall and into the bottom right hand corner.
The game wasn’t over there. Sir Alex bought on his big guns and almost instantly they made an impact. Ryan Giggs won the a corner and from there Nani whipped a flat cross in. Danny Welbeck won the header at the front post and there was substitute Javier Hernandez to head home.
In the final stages of the game Liverpool looked to press and could have had another but it was Wayne Rooney who bravely won the header to prevent Luis Suarez from grabbing a last minute winner. However, the biggest game in club football ended all square.
Post-match, the game seems to have been over-shadowed by controversy over a racism claim from Patrice Evra, suggesting that he was racially abused by Luis Suarez. It was clear that the two had clashed throughout the game as the referee, Andre Mariner, had to speak to the pair on numerous occasions. Let’s hope that these allegations are unfounded. England is proud of its success above many other European nations in the Kick Racism Out Of Football Campaign and as this sort of behaviour is no longer tolerated in the English sport at large.
Teams:
Liverpool: Reina, Enrique, Carragher, Kelly, Skrtel, Gerrard, Downing, Lucas (Henderson 57), Adam, Suarez.
Subs: Doni, Agger, Robinson, Henderson, Spearing, Carroll, Bellamy.
Manchester United: De Gea, Evra, Jones (Hernandez 76), Ferdinand, Evans, Smalling, Giggs, Park (Rooney 69), Young (Nani 69), Fletcher, Welbeck.
Subs: Lindegaard, Anderson, Carrick, Nani, Valencia, Rooney, Hernandez.
