Liverpool bruise and batter United
United manager, Alex Ferguson will be seething after his team
was mugged at Anfield 3-1 by a resurgent Liverpool.
Led by their £23 million signing from Ajax, Luiz Suarez,
Liverpool threw everything at the league leaders. And in the 33rd minute, the
move paid off as Suarez bamboozled the United defence with a fine waltz before
setting Dirk Kuyt up for the opener. The display by the Uruguayan striker was
an indication that the Kop now have a new hero after the departure of Fernando
Torres to Chelsea.
The fallout of the fiercest rivalry in England, ensures that
Manchester United will have to wait for the next nine weeks to confirm if they
will be able to boast of a 19th title, one better than Liverpool.
After the supposed injustice of referee Matt Atkinson at
Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, Ferguson will start feeling that his team are being
ganged upon by the other teams in the league.
Hostile atmoshpere
A bad tackle by Jamie Carragher on Nani in the 45th minute
should have warranted a straight red card but referee Phil Dowd brandished a
yellow. Nani, who will be credited for the assist for Kuyt’s second goal had to
be rushed to the hospital due to the tackle.
It was definitely not the best 45 minutes of the Portuguese
winger’s career in a United shirt. He was replaced by Javier Hernandez, who
went on to score United’s consolation goal.
Shortly after, United’s right back, Rafael lunged (with his
studs showing) on Lucas Leiva – in what was a clear case of retribution.
At that point, the match threatened to degenerate into violence
with a dozen players involved in a session. After the consequent round of
shoving and pushing, Referee Dowd booked Rafael for the foul and Martin Skrtel
for being too enthusiastic in the melee that ensued.
Less intensity
The second half was more of the same, though a little less
intense. Liverpool had the rub of the green in the 65th minute when a Suarez
free-kick proved too hot for Edwin Van der Sar and Kuyt reacted the fastest
when he fired home the rebound to score his third goal, and bag his first hat
trick in the Premiership.
Hernandez’s 92nd minute goals will be scant consolation for Ferguson, who
has now seen his side lose for the third time in five consecutive league
matches.
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