The Match: Bad Day For Reds

After our match report, we take a closer look at the 3-0 home defeat to Liverpool...

The match Some feisty early challenges from United players set the tone but Liverpool soon took a strangehold on the game, with Daniel Sturridge flashing wide and Joe Allen firing straight at David De Gea. It was no surprise when Steven Gerrard put the visitors ahead from the spot, while United’s only chance of note in the first half came when Simon Mignolet kept out a Wayne Rooney shot. Gerrard’s second spot-kick early in the second period was a real body blow and, though United increased the tempo thereafter, there were still precious few chances to shout about. Marouane Fellaini blasted over and Robin van Persie headed wide but Nemanja Vidic’s fourth red card against Liverpool, a second yellow for bringing down Sturridge in the box, effectively ended the game as a contest. And though Gerrard struck the post with his third penalty, Luis Suarez soon made it three to complete a miserable afternoon for United.

The goals Referee Mark Clattenburg had no hesitation in awarding a spot-kick after Suarez’s attempted dink past Rafael in the box hit the Brazilian’s hand; Gerrard stepped up and calmly sent De Gea the wrong way. After Phil Jones clumsily felled Allen, the Liverpool skipper went the same way for his second penalty – to De Gea’s left. And though the Spaniard guessed correctly, he couldn’t keep it out. The Merseysiders’ third came when a scuffed Sturridge shot found its way through United’s defence to Suarez, who neatly slotted past De Gea.

Star man United collectively hustled and bustled but did not have enough to break down the Merseysiders, and Rafael typified that. He flew into challenges, including one on Gerrard that earned him a booking by the corner flag, and tested full-back Jon Flanagan regularly down the right, but Liverpool held firm.

Sub-plot For the first time in years, Liverpool came to Old Trafford as favourites in many observers’ eyes – and, if truth be told, they played like it. Though the Olympiacos game is looming, David Moyes picked a strong team to combat the visitors’ threat but United ultimately couldn't break them down, nor defended stoutly enough to keep the league’s top scorers at bay.

The opposition Liverpool still have a chance of winning the title and manager Brendan Rodgers made his intentions clear by naming an attacking starting XI that featured Suarez, Sturridge and Raheem Sterling, who boasted 48 league goals between them this season before kick-off. Suarez made it 49 and only a superb De Gea save prevented the Uruguayan from bagging the half-century.

Move of the match Just before the break, Rafael sprinted on to Adnan Januzaj’s touchline-hugging pass down the right and bent a cross into the path of Rooney, whose first-time shot was parried to safety by Mignolet.

In the stands Old Trafford always bristles with energy when Liverpool are in town and this game was no exception. A crunching early tackle by Jones on Gerrard was the first of many to get both sets of fans on their feet and bellowing. Though United were second best, the home fans’ noise only relented late in the game – and resurfaced with a defiant ’20 times, Man United’ as the final whistle approached. A comical slip from Suarez in the second half brought the biggest cheer of the afternoon, which only emphasised Liverpool’s dominance.