Manchester United v Liverpool Match Report

Old Trafford hosted what is arguably the most heated game of the season when Liverpool visited this afternoon, but the Reds would walk away empty handed after Manchester United won 2-1.


The drama started before the whistle even blew. The eyes were more on Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra during the players’ handshakes. While it was expected for the two to shake hands and move on, it was Suarez who refused to shake Evra’s hand, leaving the Red Devils’ captain clearly angry.

Suarez soon seemed to be the distraction between Evra and Rio Ferdinand when the two defenders clashed, seeing Ferdinand land on his neck. A couple of minutes later the veteran would be up again.

Liverpool wasted no time putting the pressure on. Glen Johnson tested keeper David De Gea early on with a low shot but De Gea was able to get it away.

Formally retured Paul Scholes nearly put the Red Devils ahead with a close header but it went straight to Reds’ keeper Pepe Reina.

Danny Welbeck tried again but it was cleared by Daniel Agger when Welbeck made an attempt to find Wayne Rooney in the box.

Just before halftime, Liverpool were granted a corner kick. It was taken by Stewart Downing, and the ball went to Martin Skrtel who blasted it over the bar.

Suarez was left furious a couple minutes later when Ferdinand tackled him. The Uruguayan expected a free kick and was not given it. With his anger escalating, manager Kenny Dalglish kept motioning him to calm down.

More drama at halftime when there was pushing and shoving in the tunnel, with the police having to get involved. It took the players about five minutes to get to their dressing room.

Wayne Rooney scored the first goal of the game from a corner kick in the opening minutes of the second half.

Only a few minutes later, Rooney would double that lead. A pass from Valencia allowed Rooney to easily make it 2-0. It was poor defending from Liverpool.

He tried to make it a hat trick but finally the defense pulled through and the ball was cleared away.

Dalglish made some essential changed in the 61st minute with strikers Andy Carroll and Craig Bellamy replacing midfielders Stewart Downing and Jay Spearing. His final change would be Charlie Adam for Drik Kuyt with 15 minutes left to play.

With only ten minutes left, of all players it was Suarez who got the ball past De Gea to get Liverpool on the scoreboard.

Johnson’s powerful kick nearly leveled it up for the Reds but De Gea sprung it away over the bar. Nothing would come from the corner given.

Of course the scuffle could not be laid to rest. After the final whistle, celebrations from Manchester United players brought in front of Suarez caused more pushing and shoving from the two teams.

Liverpool v Manchester United FA Cup Match Report

In what is always a tense meeting between the two teams, Liverpool managed to knock Manchester United out of the FA Cup in the fourth round, 2-1.

Patrice Evra was inevitably greeted by boos and chants after the Luis Suarez debacle but despite the negativity thrown that way, United still dominated the ball.

However, it was Liverpool that opened the scoring in the 21st minute and in front of the United fans too.

Chris Smalling headed out an attempt by Liverpool’s Jose Enrique, allowing the Reds a corner. Captain Steven Gerrard took the corner and it was headed into the net by defender Daniel Agger.

But the Red Devils’ persistence paid off not long after. Ji-Sung Park put the ball past keeper Pepe Reina into the bottom right corner of the net from only eight yards out in the 39th minute.

The second half seemed a near repeat of the first. United continued to control the midfield, and Liverpool was giving the ball away too much for comfort. Manager Kenny Dalglish made some changes in the 63rd minute including Charlie Adam on for Dirk Kuyt and Dirk Kuyt for Jamie Carragher. Later, Craig Bellamy would replace Steven Gerrard. After all of the subs were made only then did United begin to falter. Alex Ferguson tried to avoid the prospect of a replay by also making changes including Berbatov for Ryan Giggs and Hernandez for Paul Scholes.

And it was Dirk Kuyt who saved the trouble of a possible replay at Old Trafford. In the 88th minute, the Dutch international easily blast the ball past United keeper David De Gea from a pass off of Andy Carroll. Anfield naturally filled with deafening roars of cheers.

Dalglish spoke highly of Kuyt and the rest of the team’s efforts after the match.

“For Dirk it's a fantastic day and it's a great day for us to go through to the next round of the FA Cup,” he said. “To beat Manchester United is a great achievement for everybody.”

Liverpool will now face Brighton and Hove Albion in the fifth round.

Manchester United v Liverpool Match Report

Newly appointed Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish may have lost his first game at Old Trafford this afternoon, but he has nothing to be too disappointed about.

Although the Reds lost 1-0 to Manchester United, they have a lot to be proud of showing an improved form from the last few weeks.

The only goal of the match came from a controversial penalty given by referee Howard Webb only 35 seconds into the game.

Liverpool defender Daniel Agger put his hands on Manchester’s Dimitar Berbatov. Although there was a moment between the contact and the fall, a penalty was given.

Ryan Giggs took the shot and put it past Pepe Reina’s left to make it 1-0 in the second minute.

In the 32nd minute, the Reds lost their captain to a bad challenge on Michael Carrick.

Gerrard committed a two-footed tackle against the Manchester midfielder, resulting in a red card and immediate send off, bringing the Reds down to ten men.

Kenny Dalglish subbed Raul Meireles and Maxi Rodriguez with Jonjo Shelvey and Ryan Babel 59 minutes in.

Forward Fernando Torres was also subbed in the 76th minute with David Ngog. The subs were more than likely due to Liverpool’s upcoming midweek game against Blackpool and a desire to improve in the league rather than the FA Cup.

Liverpool failed to secure a draw, sending Manchester to play Southampton in the fourth round.

Although they will now be without their captain for the next three games, the Reds will surely put this loss behind them and look ahead to the rest of their season under their new manager.

Manchester United v Liverpool Match Preview

Liverpool fans will be hoping to see a revival in their team tomorrow at Old Trafford for the 3rd round of the FA Cup against Manchester United.


The Reds will have their first game under newly appointed manager Kenny Dalglish, who was announced today to take over the reins until the end of the season following Roy Hodgson’s departure.

Meanwhile, Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has made suggestions that he will produce a strong team tomorrow against their biggest rivals.

John O’Shea and Paul Scholes will definitely be out with injury. Wayne Rooney and Edwin Van Der Sar will be assessed ahead of the match following an ankle injury and case of the flu, respectively.

Liverpool have no new injuries, but are still without co-captain Jamie Carragher, still recovering from shoulder surgery.

Between the two major clubs, the FA Cup has been won 18 times. However after last year’s surprise early knock out by Leeds United, Manchester United are out to prove themselves again, especially over Liverpool.

The meeting is the only all-Premier League match of the FA Cup. The last time the sides met in the competition was in 2006, when Liverpool beat Manchester United in the fifth round.

Kick-off is at 1.30pm and will be shown live on ITV1.