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Summer signing Gabriel Obertan will make his debut in Tuesday’s cup tie.

The leading sides are no longer good enough to feel safe – and that makes the season more compelling

A Premier League in decline is heading in the right direction. This season’s competition should remain engrossingly entertaining now that the leading teams are no longer good enough to feel safe. Manchester United, the defending champions, have been beaten twice and the initial lapse came at newly promoted Burnley. Sir Alex Ferguson’s team endured four losses in the league during the last campaign, but the defeats then were comprehensible if not palatable.

Liverpool, twice, and Arsenal accounted for three of them and failure at Fulham was not such a shock when Roy Hodgson’s squad was bound for a seventh-place finish. It would have been more disquieting for Ferguson to witness his men falling at Turf Moor. Reassurance stems from the knowledge that he is not alone with such troubles.

Chelsea have already been downed at Wigan and, more understandably, Villa Park. For all the rejoicing at the weekend, Liverpool have been overcome four times already in the league. Arsenal come into a different category, but they share a certain angst with the others.

Arsène Wenger’s squad is, with justification, viewed as one of marked potential, yet they hold the same number of points after nine fixtures as they did a year ago. Arsenal, for that matter, have still to show resilience when the opposition somehow come to have possession – 13 goals have been conceded to date.

Few can buy themselves a solution. Many clubs have roughly been balancing the books, with Liverpool selling Xabi Alonso and using the proceeds to cover most of the cost entailed in bringing in Glen Johnson and Alberto Aquilani. Chelsea were bolder than most in splashing out £18m on Yuri Zhirkov. They also had a reported craving to buy Franck Ribéry or David Villa. Some speculate that there will be major activity in January, if the Fifa ban is suspended, but that transfer period is often a difficult time to secure footballers on whom other clubs depend. In any case, if Roman Abramovich does feel a craving to revitalise the squad it is only after a period of conservatism. Seven of the starting line-up against Blackburn at the weekend signed for the club in 2005 or earlier.

The owner, even if he now feels compelled to spend money that will keep Chelsea to the fore, has been acting for a while like a man reluctant to pour yet more of his wealth into the club. In that regard, he was ahead of the trend. While Manchester United raked in £80m for Cristiano Ronaldo in July, the one addition in the starting line-up beaten at Anfield was the £15m Antonio Valencia.

Manchester City are the blazing exception to all of this, yet these early days have not confirmed that the impact is in proportion to the budget. Someone like the £22m Joleon Lescott is at risk of turning into a case history as people accuse the club of being eager to pay top prices even if they do not always acquire top players. It has to be borne in mind that, in the England pecking order, Fabio Capello puts Lescott behind not only John Terry and Rio Ferdinand but also Matthew Upson.

Relief for the manager, Mark Hughes, and City’s backers must lie in the appreciation that there is nothing formidable about the elite quartet he intends to disrupt. If those four hold their status it will be because challengers are also faltering.

This shift in the general character of the Premier League has some connection to economics. The pound has slumped against the euro and Spain’s tax regime is more lenient to the foreign stars, but such factors can be overstated. Complex means do ultimately send funds gushing into the accounts of footballers here.

Sheer impulse has mattered more in Spain than the niceties of financial planning. There is a self-satisfaction at, so far as they are concerned, outdoing the Premier League. Extravagance is now their speciality. Real Madrid are nonchalant about the €500m (£455m) debt incurred while bringing in Kaká, Cristiano Ronaldo and the others.

Barcelona saw nothing amiss in handing over £40m and Samuel Eto’o to Internazionale in return for Zlatan Ibrahimovic. England looks frugal by comparison, but it is also right to ask whether all the outlay in the Premier League’s carefree days had a proportionate impact.

United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea excel at getting to the latter phase of the Champions League, but they are not so adept at grasping the trophy. It has come here twice in this decade. Real and Barcelona have each won it on two occasions since 2000. They might have continued to outdo the English even if they had not gone to such expense this summer.

• Sir Alex Ferguson ‘clearly doesn’t understand the laws’
• Jeff Winter says manager’s conduct is getting worse
• In pictures: Ferguson v the referees

Referees have responded forcefully to Sir Alex Ferguson’s criticisms of their abilities by claiming the Manchester United manager’s knowledge of football’s rules is alarmingly hazy and that his twin attacks on Alan Wiley and Andre Marriner should prompt a stadium ban. “It’s so frustrating when a manager as experienced and respected as Sir Alex Ferguson makes a statement about the laws of the game which is completely inaccurate,” said Jeff Winter, a former Premier League referee.

Winter was highlighting Ferguson’s insistence that Jamie Carragher should have been shown a red rather than yellow card for hauling down Michael Owen on the edge of the area during United’s 2-0 defeat at Liverpool yesterday.

Another senior refereeing source, still officiating at Premier League matches, agreed with Winter. “Ferguson clearly doesn’t understand the law about the denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity,” he said. “The fouled player has to have full control of the ball and has to be moving towards the goal but Michael Owen did not fulfil either condition.

“[Sunday’s match official] Andre Marriner was absolutely right to award a yellow card and a direct free-kick,” he added. “It would have been totally wrong for him to have sent Jamie Carragher off. And Sir Alex should never have said that Andre Marriner was not an experienced referee when he is on the Fifa list and got all the important decisions right on Sunday.”

Ferguson’s latest comments, although circumspect in comparison with his criticism of Wiley, were being analysed by the Football Association’s compliance department today. It is understood, however, that the FA is unlikely to bring any charges against the United manager for questioning Marriner’s experience to officiate a game of Sunday’s magnitude or criticising the referee’s refusal to dismiss Carragher or award a penalty against the Liverpool defender for a challenge on Michael Carrick.

As a veteran of several run-ins with Ferguson, Winter wonders if United’s manager was merely deflecting attention from a defeat. “I don’t know if Sir Alex Ferguson has got a problem with referees but he has got a problem when Manchester United don’t win and blaming the referee is the easy option,” he said. “His statement about Carragher shows that either he doesn’t know the laws of the game or he’s resorting to mind games again.”

Winter disagrees with suggestions that Ferguson is mellowing with age. “There are signs that his temper is getting worse,” he said. “Some of his touchline antics, when you see the veins standing out on his neck and see him swearing and shouting, are not too good for his own health let alone anyone else’s.

“I don’t know whether it’s age or what but he seems to be getting less tolerant of everybody and everything – especially when Manchester United don’t manage to win. This sort of thing seems to be happening every other week with him now.”

Like others in the refereeing fraternity, Winter is hoping that the FA will punish Ferguson severely for not just yesterday’s comments but his suggestions that Wiley’s fitness was suspect following United’s recent 2-2 home draw against Sunderland.

“If I were the FA I would personally impose a Fifa-style stadium ban on Sir Alex,” said Winter. “I think it’s got to be harsh punishment to teach him and everyone else a lesson. The FA have to take serious action against him. Anything less and the Respect campaign is dead in the water. They’ve got to show Sir Alex and everyone else that behaviour like this will not be tolerated. A fine or, in this case, even a touchline ban won’t be enough.”

A stadium ban would leave Ferguson watching from the stands and barred from any contact with his players before or during a match once they have entered the stadium. In 2005 Chelsea’s then-manager Jose Mourinho received a two-game stadium ban following his comments about Anders Frisk following a Champions League game against Barcelona.

Winter felt Marriner had a “very good” game but acknowledged it was the referee’s first Premier League game involving two top-four teams. “There’s a first time for everything, though,” said Winter. “Andre did well because players from both sides had clearly been told to pressure him and I noticed that his every decision was contested by at least three players.”

He also feels the FA should speed up their disciplinary procedures. “All this suggests that Sir Alex isn’t really concerned about the authorities,” he said. “It’s three-and-a-half weeks since his comments about Alan Wiley and still nothing has happened.”

• Fletcher, Scholes, Brown and Welbeck in squad for United
• Tony Pulis promises not to field a team of kids against Pompey

Sunderland v Aston Villa

Martin O’Neill last night claimed that there are “places up for grabs” at Aston Villa and urged the fringe players, several of whom will be granted a rare outing at Sunderland in the Carling Cup tonight, to grasp the chance to impress and force their way into the starting line-up. The Villa manager did not mention names but Emile Heskey, who has started only one Premier League match this season and admitted earlier this month that he might have to consider his future in January if that situation remains the same, is likely to have been uppermost in his thoughts.

The England striker, who set up Gabriel Agbonlahor’s goal in the 1-1 draw at Wolves on Saturday, is expected to return to the Villa attack on a night when Nigel Reo-Coker, Fabian Delph and Luke Young are also likely to feature after spells on the sidelines. “I think there are positions in the side up for grabs and so they should be because it’s not as if we’re sitting top of the league,” said O’Neill, who stressed that he is keen for Villa to progress in the competition which, realistically, represents their best chance of winning silverware this season.” Stuart James

Barnsley v Manchester United

Sir Alex Ferguson will shuffle his pack for the fourth-round match at Oakwell, with Gabriel Obertan set to make his debut following his £3m summer move from Bordeaux. Danny Welbeck could be given a run after scoring against Wolves in the last round and Darren Fletcher might also feature if he recovers from a groin injury that ruled him out of the defeat at Liverpool. Michael Owen, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and Wes Brown are also set to be involved against the Championship side, managed by the former United striker Mark Robins. “We will change things around as we need to have a look at some players,” said Mike Phelan, United’s assistant manager. “Then we will move on to the match against Blackburn. We need to put things right after losing to Liverpool.” John Ashdown

Portsmouth v Stoke City

Stoke are ready to welcome Mamady Sidibe back to first-team action at Fratton Park tonight. The Mali international has been out since suffering cruciate ligament damage in March. “He’s a big, strong and very determined lad and I wouldn’t be surprised if he got through 90 minutes for us,” said the City manager, Tony Pulis, who admits he will field a fringe side. “I’ll say this quite openly because we will make changes to give players a run. It is our squad which will keep us in the Premiership, not the team. But we won’t be fielding a team of kids. We will be picking a team of senior players who will all be very capable of putting on a good performance.” Portsmouth will be without the cup-tied quartet of Kevin-Prince Boateng, Jamie O’Hara, Mike Williamson and Tommy Smith. John Ashdown

The Manchester United manager criticised the referee after the defeat at Liverpool, suggesting that Jamie Carragher should have been sent off and that Nemanja Vidic did not deserve his first yellow card. Did he go too far with his comments?

Often out-numbered but never out-punned, it’s Football Weekly.

This week, James Richardson and co discuss Liverpool’s victory against Manchester United. Fernando Torres ensured a torrid afternoon for Alex Ferguson’s men, and the United boss responded by having a moan at the officials. Again. Rob Smyth is far from amused - indeed, he’s downright depressed.

As well as a full round-up of the rest of the Premier League news - including a swine flu outbreak at Blackburn - Sid Lowe tells us about a humbling 90 minutes for Jermaine Pennant after Barcelona thumped Zaragoza 6-1, and James Dart brings us some tales from the lower leagues.

Finally, we bid a fond farewell to Christian Vieri, and Barry Glendenning does his best to sound excited about LA Galaxy’s triumph in the Western Conference of MLS.

Post your comments below and find us on Facebook, Twitter and iTunes.

• ‘Losing to Liverpool is the most pain you can have’
• Jamie Carragher should have been sent-off, he adds

Patrice Evra has questioned Manchester United’s attitude after they were beaten by Liverpool on Sunday. The French full-back was left frustrated at the manner of United’s first defeat in 12 games.

“We did not show the Manchester United spirit. The advice was to play our football but we did not do that and I do not know why,” said Evra after the 2-0 loss at Anfield. “Liverpool were aggressive but we did not play and that is why it is so frustrating to lose.

“Normally we create at least five or six clear chances in a game but we only had the one when [Antonio] Valencia hit the bar. It is not enough if you want to win against Liverpool.”

• Benítez gains breathing space as Ferguson fumes
• Carragher is finally back to his best, says Benítez
• Kevin McCarra’s report: Liverpool 2-0 Man United
• Paul Hayward: Fernando Torres lifts Anfield gloom

Evra, however, agreed with the United manager Sir Alex Ferguson that Liverpool’s captain Jamie Carragher should have been dismissed for a challenge on his former Anfield team-mate Michael Owen when he was clean through.

“I do not understand why Carragher only got a yellow card for fouling Owen when I think he was the last man,” said Evra. “But I look more at the display of Manchester United and the display was poor.

“Losing to Liverpool is the most pain you can have when you play for United. There was a big silence in the dressing room and we will need a few days to recover from this big disappointment for us, for the staff, for the fans.

“We need to do what we did last year – win the league after losing to Liverpool. We also need to make sure we show the real United team the next time at Old Trafford.”

United’s defender Nemanja Vidic, meanwhile, will serve a one-match ban in tomorrow’s game against Barnsley after being picking up two yellow cards while Liverpool’s Javier Mascherano misses their game at Arsenal, also for two bookings in the game.

• Jamie proved he is a good centre-back, says Rafael Benítez
• ‘He is not at the end of his career just yet’

Rafael Benítez has praised Jamie Carragher for his display in Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Manchester United on Sunday and believes it puts to bed claims that the defender is past his best.

Carragher, 31, has by his own admission endured a difficult start to the season but was outstanding against United, when he captained Liverpool in the absence of the injured Steven Gerrard. “Jamie played well. He had been having a difficult time but the only thing to do in such a situation is to try again and try again,” said Benítez.

“It was only a question of keeping working hard, and he proved that he is a good centre-back and not at the end of his career just yet. He showed what a good defender he still is and [collectively] we have shown that we are not a bad team, not a bad squad. Maybe next April people will again judge us but at this moment we have enough quality.

“We have had five players injured, all at once. But when we are all fit we are difficult for anyone to beat.”

On his own position, the Spaniard maintained: “I have not been reading the papers, or listening to anything. I was only trying to keep focused, and the players the same.

“We knew we were not that bad. We had won six on the trot before this run of four defeats, and we got 86 points last season. We are not as bad as people were saying.

“The players responded to the messages they had been given. It was simple, keep training the same way, keep working hard and things will change. In football you can talk a lot but if you do not work hard you will not change anything.

“We worked hard on lots of things, but the main thing was that everyone was together, the team, the fans, the staff. The attitude was fantastic, and you can see that we can beat anyone.

“This was the perfect answer, the perfect response because we were not winning. It was a result that will please a lot of people, maybe not United. But I have been saying all season that the top sides will lose more points that you would expect, that will make the title race more open. This is the proof.”

David Ngog also had cause to be pleased with the way he coolly took the injury-time goal that ended any hope United had of saving a point. The French striker had been criticised for missing an excellent opportunity that would have put Liverpool 2-0 ahead in the Champions League defeat by Lyon last week.

“It was a fantastic moment for me and the team and I would say it’s my best moment in football,” said Ngog. “I have always dreamed of scoring a goal for Liverpool against Manchester United and now it has happened and it is a really good feeling.

“I dedicated the goal to my family who always support me, and to the fans, because I know how much the victory meant to them. I also give thanks to my team-mates and the manager for always showing faith in me.”

UNITED’S match with Blackburn on Saturday is ON despite Sam Allardyce’s squad being hit by swine flu.


Rovers did not apply for Saturday’s game against Chelsea to be called off although contact was made with the Premier League and no application for postponement is expected for the televised Old Trafford clash.

Danny Welbeck and Michael Owen put Manchester United into the Carling Cup quarter-finals at Barnsley’s expense.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will again ring the changes for the Carling Cup match against Barnsley at Oakwell tomorrow.


Promising striker Danny Welbeck could be given a run-out after getting the goal that brought down Wolves in the last round.

Listen to radio commentary and read rolling text updates from 19:45 GMT.

Patrice Evra is at a loss to explain United’s ‘poor’ display at Anfield.

Boss frustrated with display and referee decisions, but wants a reaction from players.

The Gunners threw away a two-goal lead at Upton Park on Sunday.

Jamie Carragher set a fine example as Liverpool kept their shape, asserting themselves up front and wide

1

Team shape Without Steven Gerrard, Rafael Benítez surprisingly paired Fernando Torres with the industrious Dirk Kuyt up front. In this formation, Yossi Benayoun was asked to hold the right touchline while Fábio Aurélio, similarly, kept the balance on the left-hand side. When Liverpool had possession in deep areas, Benítez’s plan would be to pass the ball early into the front two. Most importantly, this would engage Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, but the home side would still need to discover a route through to goal. With that in mind, the selection of Javier Mascherano and Lucas Leiva as a twosome in midfield was brave, given that neither player is creative even if both are determined. The Spaniard would hope that, when wide in advanced areas, Aurélio and Benayoun could produce quality because both front men can prove threatening in the air.

2

Tactics Liverpool began with an edge to their pressurising. Jamie Carragher kept his back four close together, while up front the home foursome closed very quickly on the United defence when they had possession. But, with United opting to play Ryan Giggs wide-ish left, Mascherano and Lucas benefited from a midfield two-versus-two with Michael Carrick and Paul Scholes which they shaded with brisk marking and quick use of the ball. Scholes was made to look a yard off the pace as Liverpool, compact and competitive, kept an excellent balance and shape. Benayoun and Torres exploited Patrice Evra’s difficulties when attacked on his inside and the United full-back was one of several players to receive a caution.

3

Did it succeed? Yes. The home side showed great drive and determination. Resilient, they protected Pepe Reina’s goal with fierce pride. Glen Johnson and Emiliano Insúa got tight to Giggs and Antonio Valencia, while in the most crucial department, the middle third, Scholes and Carrick were never permitted the time to gain the space to play. Lucas, outstanding in his break-up play, tackled and tracked while Mascherano hounded. Only in the later minutes did the visitors venture forward with any real conviction. Liverpool kept their balance and doubled up brilliantly in wide areas to deny Valencia on the right and Giggs on the left any chance of getting possession to make foraging runs forward. Surprisingly United did not adjust after two-thirds of the game to give Scholes and Carrick more assistance. By then it was clear that their two midfield players could not prevent the passes into Torres’s and Kuyt’s feet which led to Vidic and Ferdinand enduring such a troubled afternoon.

4

Strengths Individually and collectively, Liverpool played to their best. Carragher set a great example, tackling, heading and getting touch-tight. But, more importantly, hHe passed with more composure than in recent games. Lucas, much maligned, was a massive bonus to Benitez. Although he should have attracted a yellow, his overall play justified his manager’s faith in his services. He broke with energy, sporadically but cleverly, to get into the box. Up front and wide, Liverpool asserted themselves. Benayoun came inside Evra and linked with great energy. Torres accepts the ball deceptively casually but can explode when he senses the kill. He took advantage of United’s high square line to score.

5

Weaknesses It would be churlish to seek downsides in a team performance that showed all the qualities of team before self. Admittedly their left side lacked the creativity of the right but nevertheless they were solid positionally. Inevitably in this ferocious game there were tackling misjudgments and Liverpool conceded too many free-kicks. But United could not take advantage. In the last 15 minutes there was a suggestion of caution which was unnecessary, the hosts dropping too deep in defence to protect their one-goal advantage. Yet that was understandable.

Bringing El Niño to Merseyside was the best piece of business Rafael Benítez is ever likely to conduct

An eternal fascination of games between elite clubs is that sometimes they come down to a duel between two world-class players. For all the sound and fury here, Liverpool and Manchester were prised apart when Fernando Torres went mano e mano with Rio Ferdinand and blasted a goal that blew away the depression settling over Anfield.

Bringing El Niño to Merseyside was the best piece of business Rafael Benítez is ever likely to conduct. Not that joy ever shows on the martinet’s face. After Torres had beaten Ferdinand for speed and strength to breach Edwin van der Sar’s goal in the 65th minute Benítez merely flicked his hand to convey a tactical signal to another Liverpool player and then glanced at his watch, perhaps to make sure he had turned it back an hour. This austere, dispassionate response concealed the scale of Torres’s contribution to the manager’s survival campaign in the wake of four consecutive defeats.

As Benítez said later: “Eighty per cent of Fernando can make the difference.” The other 20% was still in a physiotherapy room. Torres had not trained properly all week. He missed the midweek Champions League defeat against Lyon and seemed unlikely to haul himself back into action for such a frenetic and physical encounter. On the coach on the way to Anfield Benítez gambled, mindful maybe that the alternatives were Andriy Voronin, Dirk Kuyt or David Ngog, who raised his lowly profile with his team’s second, deep into added time.

Liverpool’s alternative motto: Find a corner, then fight your way out. Their almost clinical need for adversity is baffling. A fifth defeat would have matched the club’s worst sequence since 1953. “Playing as a team and working hard the way Liverpool do, we can beat anyone,” Torres said. A player of such lavish gifts is entitled to sprinkle a bit more poetry into his post-match comments. But the foundation of all Liverpool’s efforts is defiance and even Torres reflects that spirit. He can have a war with you or beat you with beauty. This volcanic derby required him to do both.

By the end arguably the world’s best centre-forward could hardly stand. His body trembled with exhaustion and his eyes called out for him to be rescued. After 80 minutes he was replaced by Ngog. The ovation rocked the stadium: a sharp counterpoint to the venom directed at Michael Owen, once of this parish. “Judas, traitor, Manc,” they howled, then chanted “Once a Manc, never a Red.”

In such a febrile atmosphere no allowance was going to be made for the fact that Owen would have returned to Anfield on several occasions since his move to Real Madrid but was not pursued and might have finished up at Stoke or Hull had United not offered him work when his Newcastle contract expired. The denunciation of Owen in an arena where he once performed the Torres role was so fierce that Wayne Rooney made a point of consoling him as Sir Alex Ferguson’s men traipsed off.

Ferguson ruminated on “the wounded animal aspect” of Liverpool’s tenacious performance. “We had to win to get back in the title race,” Torres beamed. For every reveller there is a victim. Somewhere deep in hostile territory Ferdinand would have been agonising over the private battle he lost when Yossi Benayoun, the closest this Liverpool squad have to a Steve McManaman, collected the ball from Kuyt and slipped it down the inside-right channel to bring Torres into combat with the England centre-half.

There was, in Ferdinand’s heavy-footed response to this threat, another hint that he mistrusts his body and lacks the pace and agility to smother all forms of danger, as he can in his pomp. Torres was quicker and more robust as the two reputations came together. As Ferdinand leaned and lagged, Torres composed himself and had time to thump his shot into Van der Sar’s top left-hand corner. The Kop is known for its eruptions of pleasure, belligerence, relief and this one will pass into the top-10 goal celebrations of Benítez’s uneven reign.

Torres has now scored 34 goals in 35 league games at Anfield. Tormenting United’s central defenders is one of his favourite pastimes. Though Ngog later put the game beyond Liverpool, there is no question that industry and organisation alone would not have brought them victory without the brilliance their £26m striker brings to the forward areas.

Frankly, without him, Liverpool are a severely diminished force. It was a measure of Benítez’s desperation that he had to risk him when he “was not 100% fit”. On Tuesday Steven Gerrard limped off against Lyon. Gamble failed. This time it worked. Kuyt (last weekend at Sunderland) and Ngog (against Lyon) had demonstrated the paucity of Liverpool’s resources in the striking department. Whether internal politics or lack of foresight is responsible, the front of this team has been mismanaged and Liverpool’s chances of sustaining this revival hang on Torres’s ability to stay sound in a league that has caused him to be increasingly grumpy and querulous under the weight of incoming challenges.

He may resent the philistines who knock him about and the referees who sometimes fail to protect him but sheer force of talent always carries him to the heart of the drama, where his athleticism and grace usually do the rest.

• Ferguson says referee was influenced by Liverpool fans
• Liverpool’s gamble on Fernando Torres pays off

Rafael Benítez savoured “the perfect response” to the worst spell of his Liverpool reign today as victory over Manchester United rescued the Anfield club’s season and prompted another attack on a match official from Sir Alex Ferguson.

The United manager, charged by the Football Association for criticising Alan Wiley’s fitness against Sunderland, claimed home fans had influenced referee Andre Marriner at key moments of Liverpool’s 2-0 triumph. But not even Ferguson could deny that Liverpool merited a result that ended a damaging sequence of four successive defeats and lifted the pressure that had mounted on Benítez.

Defeat left United two points behind Chelsea at the top of the Premier League table and Ferguson bemoaning two incidents involving Jamie Carragher, the first when he challenged Michael Carrick inside the Liverpool area and then when he hauled former Anfield striker Michael Owen to the floor but was only booked.

• Kevin McCarra’s report: Liverpool 2-0 Man United
• Paul Hayward: Fernando Torres lifts Anfield gloom
• Read Barry Glendenning’s minute-by-minute report
• Andy Hunter’s player ratings

“It was a disappointing afternoon. It was a disappointing performance,” the United manager said. “Liverpool were the better team, they deserved to win the game, but there were so many controversial things that happened we have to feel aggrieved at some of them. Michael Carrick gets a clear penalty kick as far as I was concerned. Jamie Carragher has gone right over the top of the ball. If it is outside of the box it is a free-kick and maybe a yellow card. But it was inside the box and the referee was only six yards from it. It was a bad decision, I think.

“It is very difficult atmosphere here. There was a wounded animal aspect to the game and it was something we didn’t overcome. I think it affected our players and it affected the referee. Whether he had enough experience or not, I don’t know.

“The most controversial decision was Carragher bringing down Michael Owen. He was clear through. The laws of the game were altered to prevent professional fouls of that nature and if Jamie Carragher goes off, he is their best player and their captain. It would have been a different game. They would have been under pressure.”

Fernando Torres turned the game in the 65th minute with an outstanding finish that will raise fresh questions over Rio Ferdinand, after both Nemanja Vidic and Javier Mascherano had been dismissed, the Serbian for the third successive time in this fixture, before his replacement David Ngog sealed a precious triumph.

Benítez only decided to deploy Torres on the coach journey to the stadium, with the Spaniard still recovering from an adductor strain that kept him out of defeats to Sunderland and Lyon, and was rewarded with the latest rescue act of his tenure.

“We knew that we needed to change, we knew that we needed a little bit of luck and we needed to win,” said the Liverpool manager. “It is a fantastic result, and maybe it was the perfect game because we knew that we had to perform against a good team in front of our own fans. All the players wanted to win. They all showed character and today was the perfect response from them.”

On Torres, who tormented Vidic and Ferdinand once again to score his ninth league goal of the season, Benítez added: “There wasn’t a big difference between the two teams but Torres made the difference with his goal. It was a difficult decision [to start him] because Fernando had not been training like [Steven] Gerrard. I talked with Fernando on the coach on the way here and after this I spoke with my staff and we decided to play him from the beginning. You could see that he was not 100% and you could see that he was not fresh but still sometimes 80% of Fernando can make a difference.”

Liverpool’s victory came after another protest march by thousands of supporters against Tom Hicks and George Gillett, the club co-owners who were present at Anfield, and a renewed vote of confidence in Benítez, this time from the managing director Christian Purslow. “Liverpool Football Club is on a long-term journey and that journey is to be the most successful club, firstly in our country and secondly in the world, and you don’t do that by worrying about short-term results,” said Purslow. “You do that by having long-term plans centring on the people and the strategy. Rafa Benítez is absolutely central to that plan.”

After the game Gary Neville and Jonny Evans were involved in an altercation with Liverpool stewards who prevented them from warming down in front of the United fans. The pair eventually trained at the other end of the pitch.

LIVERPOOL

JOSE REINA

Given more trouble by the “Yanks Out” beach balls that rained down from the Kop before kick-off than United, although had to remain alert as a sweeper. 6

GLEN JOHNSON

Clearly under orders to limit his forward forays with United fielding a two-man attack and defence more solid as a result. 7

JAMIE CARRAGHER

Lucky to escape a red card for hauling down his old mate Michael Owen but otherwise a display to silence the critics, dominant in the air and thunderous in the tackle. Man of the match. 8

DANIEL AGGER

Brought more composure and intelligence to the back-line than Skrtel has of late, the Dane’s awareness was the source of Berbatov’s frustration. 7

EMILIANO INSUA

Two early mistakes affected the young Argentinian’s confidence. Improved against Valencia as the game wore on but his distribution was often found wanting. 5

YOSSI BENAYOUN

Space was at a premium for the flair players in this game, but the Israeli left an indelible mark with the pass for Torres’s opener. Too elaborate at times, though. 7

JAVIER MASCHERANO

Beginning to recapture form after a poor start, and protected his defence diligently compared to the United midfield until his dismissal in stoppage time. 7

LUCAS LEIVA

Made his mark swiftly on the midfield scrap. Worked tirelessly in support of his defence and creatively, as illustrated by his part in Ngog’s winner. 8

FABIO AURELIO

His inclusion showed Benítez’s first task was to consolidate and stop the rot. Covered well for Insúa and his accurate deliveries unnerved United. 7

DIRK KUYT

Fully committed but lacked finesse in front of goal. Wasted two great chances to give Liverpool a first-half lead but his work-rate fuelled United’s defensive unease. 6

FERNANDO TORRES

Distracted at times, theatrical in part and not fully fit, yet still provided the game’s decisive moment with an outstanding finish. You get what you pay for. 8

LIVERPOOL SUBS: Ngog for Torres, 81; Skrtel for Benayoun, 90

MANCHESTER UNITED

EDWIN VAN DER SAR

A superb double-save from Aurélio and Kuyt showed why he is the only United keeper Ferguson can trust. Only beaten by a wonderful finish and a breakaway goal. 7

JOHN O’SHEA

Verbally and with the ball, the Irishman had no rapport with Valencia on the United right and an opportunity against Insúa was lost. 5

RIO FERDINAND

Not quick or strong enough to prevent Torres from scoring, but his biggest crime was taking no responsibility and leaving it all to Vidic throughout. 5

NEMANJA VIDIC

Another tortuous afternoon for the Serb against Liverpool. His third successive red card in this fixture followed a dominant aerial display, but several narrow escapes on the floor. 6

PATRICE EVRA

Compromised as a result of the game’s first yellow card, the French full-back was rarely seen in the final third but snuffed out several dangerous Liverpool counters. 6

ANTONIO VALENCIA

Suggested he would be United’s key threat with a strong, direct opening but, with Insúa under severe pressure, he disappeared from view. Lacked belief. 6

PAUL SCHOLES

His refusal to yield to Lucas and Mascherano made for a compelling midfield contest. Intelligent and clean in the tackle, honestly, before tiring. 7

MICHAEL CARRICK

The least effective of the four central midfielders on display. Never had the time he needs to dictate the flow of the game. 6

RYAN GIGGS

“Giggs 10, Gerrard 0″ read one banner in the United end in reference to league titles won, but the Welshman was isolated on the margins until moving into the middle late on. 6

DIMITAR BERBATOV

Days like this make you wonder what on earth compelled Ferguson to spend £32m on the Bulgarian. Completely ineffective, poor first touch and inevitably withdrawn. 4

WAYNE ROONEY

So starved of possession at times it seemed like last season’s Champions League final revisited. Worked hard but no joy against Carragher. 6

MANCHESTER UNITED SUBS: Owen for Berbatov, 74; Nani for Scholes, 74

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says vital decisions went against his team as they lost 2-0 to Liverpool.

• Alex Ferguson criticises sending-off and failure to give penalty
• Anfield atmosphere ‘affected the referee’

Sir Alex Ferguson has complained that Manchester United were harshly treated by the referee Andre Marriner in their defeat by Liverpool at Anfield.

Nemanja Vidic was sent off for two yellow cards and Ferguson questioned a number of the official’s decisions as they fell to their first defeat in 12 games in all competitions as Liverpool won 2-0.

Goals from Fernando Torres and David Ngog ended Liverpool’s run of four successive losses and eased the pressure on manager Rafael Benítez. While Ferguson thought Liverpool deserved to win, he claimed that Marriner was swayed by the home crowd.

He felt Vidic was unlucky to be sent off, that the Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher should have been dismissed and that Michael Carrick was denied a penalty. Ferguson said: “It is a very difficult atmosphere here. There was a wounded animal aspect to the game and it was something we did not overcome.

“I think it affected our players and it affected the referee. There were so many controversial things that happened we have to feel aggrieved at some of them.

“The Vidic booking was the worst decision. It is a foul, fine. But the player has played on, he won the second ball and knocked it for a throw in and got booked. It put Nemanja under pressure.

“The most controversial decision was Carragher bringing down Michael Owen. He was clear through. The laws of the game were altered to prevent professional fouls of that nature and if Carragher goes off, he is their best player and their captain. It would have been a different game. They would have been under pressure.

“The referee was only four or five yards from it – he cannot use a covering defender as an excuse. Michael was clean through. With Michael’s pace he is going to get away from him.”

Ferguson was also incensed they were not awarded a penalty for a Carragher challenge on Michael Carrick. “He has gone right over the top of the ball, ” said the United manager. “If it is outside of the box it is a free-kick and maybe a yellow card.

“But it was inside the box and the referee was only six yards from it. It was another bad decision.”

Ferguson, however, conceded Liverpool were worthy winners. “Liverpool were the better team and I am not taking anything away from them at all,” he said.

“They deserved to win the game as it was a disappointing performance from us. We were not good enough.”

United remain two points adrift of Chelsea at the top of the table but Ferguson is confident they will recover. He added: “Part of the challenge is to get over disappointments. Last season we lost at home 4-1 to Liverpool, which was a travesty, but we went on to win the league.”

SIR Alex Ferguson believes his Manchester United side did not get a fair crack of the whip from referee Andre Marriner at Anfield - but the Reds boss admitted the better team won.


Nemanja Vidic was sent off for two yellow cards and Ferguson questioned a number of the official’s decisions as they slumped to their first defeat in 12 games in all competitions as Liverpool triumphed 2-0.

Liverpool’s win over an infirm Manchester United will be relished, but it tells us little about their title credentials

Liverpool are the team for a set-piece occasion. It is their glory and also their frustration. They do not have the means for the slog that leads to a Premier League title, but the Anfield angst was readily set aside on day when Rafael Benítez’s players beat Manchester United for the third time in row. The substitute David Ngog added gloss in stoppage time.

The weakness exposed for Fernando Torres’s opener might worry Sir Alex Ferguson even more than the result. The talk of Rio Ferdinand’s tentativeness at the moment is well-founded. Exquisite as Yossi Benayoun’s build-up was in the 65th minute, the scorer was untroubled by the centre-half as he tore through to finish.

So far as defending is concerned, Ferguson will be aghast that Nemanja Vidic, who picked up a second booking in the 89th minute, has been sent off for a third consecutive time against Liverpool. The joy of the victors will not have been dampened much by the dismissal of Javier Mascherano, in the same manner as Vidic, shortly before Ngog struck.

This outcome tells us little about Liverpool’s ultimate destination in the league table, but it points to infirmity in United. It has to be borne in mind that Torres had been troubled by a groin strain and was taken off nine minutes from the end. Liverpool were hampered too by the continuing absence of the injured Steven Gerrrard.

They were forthright from the kick-off, but there was sense to that approach. After four defeats in a row there had to be a change. The habitual 4-2-3-1 under Benítez was far closer to an old-fashioned 4-4-2 and Lucas Leiva, allowed scope to get forward in midfield, had more impact than normal.

United still had their moments and Wayne Rooney, indeed, ought to have done better with an Antonio Valencia cross that he headed into the grasp of Pepe Reina in the 21st minute. They waned in the second half, although Valencia clipped the bar from an angle four minutes from the close of normal time.

• Rafael Benítez says result demonstrates team’s qualities
• ‘The fans were behind the players – we had 12 men’

Rafael Benítez praised the character of his Liverpool side after they ended a run of four defeats in style with a 2-0 win over Manchester United at Anfield.

The Liverpool manager’s future was the subject of considerable speculation before the match with the club enduring their worst run of results since 1987, but second-half goals from Fernando Torres and David Ngog won it for them against the Premier League champions.

Benítez told Sky Sports: “The players showed character and the fans were behind the players – we had 12 men. The mentality was good, everyone was working together, from the keeper [José Reina] to the last fan on the Kop. The players answered a lot of questions, that is the most important thing.”

The club’s managing director, Christian Purslow, had gone on the record earlier in the day saying the club would stand by Benítez even if Liverpool did not win the title this season and, asked for a reaction, the Spaniard said: “We are just thinking about the next game. Christian Purslow was supporting me and the team, but we have to keep going. We cannot be too excited with this win, we have another game on Wednesday.”

Asked what a result like this proved, the manager added: “For me, that the team is better than people think, and it shows the character and quality that we have. I was not really angry [about the speculation surrounding his future], I was just trying to be focused on my job. The only way to change things in football is to win games.”

Torres got away from Rio Ferdinand to lash in the opener in the 65th minute and as United threw men forward in injury time, Ngog rounded off a counter-attack to make it 2-0.

Both sides ended with 10 men as Nemanja Vidic received a second yellow for hauling down Dirk Kuyt on the halfway line while Javier Mascherano was sent off after he was booked a second time for a lunge on the United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar in stoppage time.

Liverpool were lucky not to have Jamie Carragher sent off for a professional foul on the former Liverpool striker Michael Owen as Andre Marriner opted to show just a yellow card.

Carragher jokingly claimed Owen had brought him down. His team-mate Torres was in bullish mood after the match, saying: “This is a very important result. We have to be very happy for the points today and keep going. After that game, playing as a team and working hard, we can beat anyone. We have to think about that now, play as a unit and be better than before.”

MANCHESTER United suffered another nightmare against Liverpool with Fernando Torres and David Ngog scoring and Nemanja Vidic being sent for the third successive time against Rafael Benitez’s men.


Spain star Torres held off Rio Ferdinand to strike after 65 minutes, and Ngog scored a breakaway goal in injury time.

If every game were a life-or-death moment for Liverpool, they would probably turn out to be immortal. Although they had the task of avoiding a fifth consecutive defeat in all competitions, this was really an occasion in which the pride of a great club was at stake. These are the sort of fixtures that bring out indefatigability in Rafael Benítez’s side, who have now beaten these opponents three times in a row.

The Manchester United selection, featuring two forwards and plenty of width, was meant to prey on supposed vulnerability, but Liverpool allowed few openings and Jamie Carragher, in particular, was once more the intrepid defender who can extinguish danger with hair-raising challenges that narrowly avoid calamity.

Two players showed an excess of commitment. United’s Nemanja Vidic was dismissed in the 90th minute with a second yellow card for his foul on Dirk Kuyt, so suffering a third sending-off in succession against these opponents. Javier Mascherano, with a second booking shortly after, was also sent packing. In fixtures such as this, it is virtually compulsory the referee should have a brush with controversy.

• Benítez given some breathing space
• Paul Hayward: Fernando Torres lifts Anfield gloom
• Read Barry Glendenning’s minute-by-minute report
• Andy Hunter’s Liverpool v Man Utd player ratings

United were merely 1-0 down when Sir Alex Ferguson sent on Michael Owen against his former club. With 10 minutes left, the striker was brought down by Carragher. It could have been a straight red card for the centre-back, but the referee, Andre Marriner, settled for a caution, presumably because he had some suspicion that Owen had not been heading straight for the target.

The losers here have worries that should preoccupy them much more than the official’s interpretation. Rio Ferdinand continued to be brittle. His confidence has been undermined and that leaves him looking less imposing physically as well. Exquisite as Yossi Benayoun’s through pass was in the 65th minute, Fernando Torres was untroubled as he tore past Ferdinand to crash home a drive.

United had their moments and enjoyed periods in which a relative calm appeared precious by comparison with the intermittently overwrought look that Liverpool bore. However, Ferguson’s team did not devise all that many openings. Wayne Rooney could hardly have guessed how significant his miscalculation would prove when he misdirected a header from Antonio Valencia into the arms of Pepe Reina in the 21st minute.

Valencia himself clipped the bar from an angle six minutes from the end, but Liverpool were never reduced to disarray. Benítez’s line-up had the better openings, and more of them. With 19 minutes gone, for instance, Lucas Leiva robbed Paul Scholes and set up Dirk Kuyt for a miscued attempt. The incident underlined, all the same, that this was not a conventional occasion.

The oft-derided Lucas impressed to such an extent that he fed through the ball from which the substitute David Ngog scored in stoppage time to confirm the win. In normal circumstances, the Brazilian is one of two defensive midfielders but here Benítez opted, more or less, for a 4-4-2 formation that let Lucas enjoy more scope as Mascherano attended to any covering.

Precautions, as it turned out, did not need to be given a high priority. United were tame for the most part. That is bound to infuriate Ferguson since he had drawn up a line-up that was expressly aggressive. The team have now been beaten for a second time in this Premier League campaign and, as in the loss at Burnley, they did not score. Owen might take modest consolation in the thought that he will now start more often.

Liverpool can allow themselves a few moments when their minds are occupied by no more than a glow of satisfaction. They had, after all, been in unenviable circumstances. Torres had missed the midweek loss to Lyon and Steven Gerrard had departed after 25 minutes that night. Both have been troubled by groin strains. Here, Gerrard was absent entirely and the Spaniard was taken off before the end.

The side was neither distracted nor apprehensive. That air of purpose could be sensed in the early exchanges when Fábio Aurélio’s free-kick demanded an alert response from Edwin van der Sar. It is unarguable that Liverpool should be gauged by their efforts over a period far longer than that of an afternoon, but Benítez should enjoy a respite after getting most calculations correct against United.

The risk taken in picking a semi-fit Torres was rewarded best of all. It was a day when the limited options open to Benítez were a boon of sorts. He had, after all, used Ngog from the outset against Lyon and had it confirmed that the youngster is not ready yet for so prolonged exposure to a fixture of that calibre.

Fernando Torres wasn’t as involved as Wayne Rooney in open play, but by scoring from perhaps his only real chance he proved his importance to Liverpool

If Liverpool will be conscious of their restrictions, the time may be approaching when the loss of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid is felt more acutely by United. It is simple to retort that the Portuguese did not rescue United in earlier losses to these rivals. All the same, he held the potential to excel at a higher level than the men around him. United, regardless of this loss, have made a sound start to the campaign. The task now will be to sustain it.

FIND out how we rated the Manchester United players for their performance in the 2-0 defeat against Liverpool.

Gallery: The best images from Liverpool versus Manchester United at Anfield

Goals from Fernando Torres and David Ngog helped Liverpool end their losing streak and beat Manchester United for the third time in a row

Good afternoon everybody. Those of you who bet on Steve Coppell to be the first of the Sky Sports pundits to describe today’s encounter as a “massive” game can go and collect.

Graeme Souness and ante post white-hot favourite Jamie Redknapp are filling the other two chairs on Pundit Row, but were put on the back foot from the get-go once host Richard Keys addressed his opening question to the former Reading manager. Not to be outdone, match analyst Andy Gray was quick to reiterate Coppell’s point, announcing that this is “a massive game”, one Liverpool would “like to win but cannot afford to lose”.

Anyway, here are the teams for today’s massive, massive game. Steven Gerrard will be watching from the stands, but Fernando Torres and Wayne Rooney both play. Michael Owen is on the bench on his first appearance at Anfield as a Manchester United player.

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Insua, Lucas,
Mascherano, Benayoun, Kuyt, Aurelio, Torres.
Subs: Cavalieri, Voronin, Babel, Ngog, Spearing, Degen, Skrtel.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, O’Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs, Berbatov, Rooney.
Subs: Foster, Neville, Owen, Anderson, Nani, Fabio Da Silva, Jonathan Evans.

Referee: Andre Marriner (W Midlands)

The postal workers may be on strike, buut that hasn’t stopped Pete Doran from getting a missive to me. His fez-wearing winged monkey just landed on the window ledge of our Kings Cross office, tapped on the glass, handed me a piece of paper, turned on its heel and flew off into the horizon. “This is a nervy time,” writes Pete, whose allegiances lie on Merseyside. “Having lost in Europe this week and suffering injuries to important midfielders and forwards, we now have to face one of our North West rivals in a very important, must-win game. Testing times indeed. Come on you Blues.”

Sky Sports have just broadcast an interview with Jamie Carragher, in which he spoke of the huge psychological boost a win today would give Liverpool. Listening to the most Scouse man in the world say the word “psychologically”, with those two hard k-sounds in the middle of it, was quite worrying. I thought he was going to choke.

Beachball and balloon watch: Predictably enough, in the wake of last weekend’s beachball-abetted Sunderland winner against Liverpool, the stewards at Anfield are being kept busy this afternoon. Giant red inflatables are already raining down on to the pitch from the away end. It’s childish, it’s predictable and … it’s funny.

An email from Gerry Scott: “What was the thinking behind doing the MBM on thiis game and not the Celtic v Hamilton one?” he asks, with some justification. Meanwhile, John Martin, among others, has a crow to pluck with our lives scores service. “Just been to the Man United website,” he says. “The time is given as a 2pm kick off. Maybe you should change your live scores and fixtures?” Apologies for that, John, but like a beachball on the Stadium of Light sward, our live scores service is an outside agent. Well, it’s controlled by outside agents, which means I can’t do anything it.

This from Niall Mullen: “It won’t be a surprise if Little Mickey celebrates scoring today,” he writes. “He’ll probably pull out a beachball with a picture of Kenny Dalglish on it and stamp wildly until it bursts if this is anything to go by.”

Raphael Benitez pre-match tunnel interview: “We are better than people think … against a good team you never know what can happen … Gerrard was close to playing, but it was too risky … with the fans behind us we can do a good job.”

Sir Alex Ferguson: “The history is unbelievable … experience is important in these games … once I knew that Wayne was going to be fit there was no hesitation in picking my forward pairing … Michael Owen is great to have on the bench if we need him.”

Gambling news: In the high-stakes £1-per-man office correct score sweep, I’ve gone for a 3-1 win to Manchester United.

Balloon and beachball watch: Giant inflatable footballs are now raining down from the Kop end. The stewards are looking a bit fed up.

Not long now. The teams emerge from the tunnel, with Liverpool’s players wearing their usual home kit of red shirts, shorts and socks. Manchester United’s players are wearing their black away shirts, with the light blue stripe across the front that makes them all look a bit like like Starfleet cadets, white shorts and white socks.

1 min: Manchester United kick off, playing into the Kop end in the first half. In front of the aforementioned Kop end, a grumpy looking Pepe Reina is busy kicking giant inflatable footballs off the pitch.

2 min: Manchester United have lined up in a traditional 4-4-2, while Liverpool look to be playing with Yossi Benayoun operating on the right side of midfield, with Dirk Kuyt up front alongside Fernando Torres.

3 min: Wayne Rooeny is put through on goal and rifles the ball past a statue-still Pepe Reina and into the back of the net … several seconds after the linesman had flagged for offside, prompting the referee to blow his whistle.

4 min: In midfield, Lucas plays the ball wide to Glen Johnson on the right touchline, but he’s dispossessed by Javier Mascherano. Liverpool win the ball back, Lucas picks up a pass about 30 yards out, right of centre and scuffs a shot wide. It takes a deflection on it’s way - corner for Liverpool.

6 min: Aurelio clears four big beachballs of various colours from the corner of the pitch and sends in the corner from the left. Torres gets on the end of it, but there’s no power in his header. United clear.

7 min: Another Liverpool attack. Benayoun tries to square the ball from the right flank, but Evra hacks clear.

8 min: Nothing much in the way of clear-cut scoring chances so far, but on the balance of play, you’d have to say Liverpool are edging things at the moment.

9 min: “Why is everyone describing this game as ‘massive’,” asks Ben Dunn. “Could we not funk it up with a quick look at a thesaurus? A
gargantuan match, a collosal encounter or - because my theasaurus says ponderous is a synonym - could we not call it what it will enevitably be: a ponderous occassion. I’m going for elephantine rendezvous, and expect Rednapp to throw that in at half-time in a game of one-up-manship on Coppel.”

10 min: Giggs picks out Wayne Rooney with a beautiful back-heel and the Man Utd No10 sidefoots the ball across the edge of the Liverpool penalty area towards Berbatov. Jamie Carragher clears.

12 min: Evra clips Aurelio’s heels, accidentally by the looks of things, conceding a free-kick about 40 yards from his own goal, right of centre. Aurelio sends the ball into the mixer but it’s cleared.

13 min: Patrice Evra gets booked for a late lunge on Fernando Torres. Free-kick for Liverpool about 30 yards out on the right flank. “Forget massive, isn’t this game the very definition of the made-up word ‘ginormous’?” asks Jesse Galdston.

17 min: It’s all Liverpool at the moment and I’ve just accidentally deleted a big chunk of text outlining exactly why. Curses!

18 min: From the aforementioned free-kick, Aurelio sent a left-footed dirve screaming towards the top left-hand corner. Van der Sar saved brilliantly, only for the rebound to drop for Dirk Kuyt at the near post. He shot straight at Van der Sar, who had somehow recovered from his original save to parry the follow-up. The rebound dropped for Kuyt again and this time he dinked a cross towards the far post, but it was too high for any of the Liverpool players queueing up to nod it home.

20 min: Valencia beats Insua down the left wing and pings a cross towards Rooney in the penalty area. Sacrificing power for direction, he tries to steer his downward header inside the left-upright, but it goes fractionally off-course, enabling Reina to make the save.

22 min: While I was busy rewriting that big chunk of text I deleted accidentally, Liverpool went close again, finding themselves on the counter-attack with three on three. Galloping through the centre, Benayoun played the ball into the path of Kuyt who had sprinted down the right channel into the Manchester United penalty area. The Dutchman got the ball caught under his feet, giving his compatriot Edwin van der Sar that crucial couple of seconds required to make himself big (oh behave!). Kuyt shoots across the face of goal and wide.

24 min: Javier Mascherano, a man whose personal Premier League goals tally stands at one, tries a shot from distance with predictably hilarious consequences.

25 min: While it would be nigh on impossible for any match to live up to the pre-game hype surrounding this one, it’s been a very absorbing first quarter. I’ll be astonished if there aren’t a couple of goals if it continues ebbing and flowing like this.

29 min: “This ‘live’ commentary is so late that i might as well read the bbc match report as if it were live,” whinges Matthew Jones. “They would probably use the spell-check function as well! and what about Kuyt’s one-on-one? Are you actually watching the game?” Gah! I’ve been rumbled. I’m not actually watching the game - I have in fact been guessing what’s happening so far and don’t even know what the correct score is. How am I doing?

30 min: Possession stats: Liverpool 49%-51% Manchester United.

32 min: Giggs fouls Mascherano in the centre-circle and the Argentinian wins a free-kick. The ball is booted into the United half, where Fernando Torres concedes a corner. Evra picks out Carrick, who floats the ball towards Ryan Giggs. He loses possession.

33 min: Jamie Carragher sails close to the wind, slide-tackling Michael Carrick inside the penalty area. Replays show he won the ball - great defending and great refereeing. Penalties have been given for a lot less.

34 min: Liverpool attack. Fabio Aurelio plays a crossfield ball from the left side of midfield into the right corner, which Yossi Benayoun chases and wins. The Israel international holds the ball up before delivering a cross. Steaming into the box from midfield, Aurelio sends a meaty header straight at Van der Sar. He should have finished the move he started with a goal.

38 min: Dimitar Berbatov gets booked for trip on Lucas.

39 min: United go forward, the ball is played wide and right to Valencia, who clips it into the Liverpool penalty area behind Carragher and Agger. Reina is forced off his line to gather the ball before Berbatov can pounce.

40 min: Boos ring out around Anfield as pantomime villain Gary Neville emerges from the visitors’ dug-out to warm up on the touchline.

41 min: Yossi Benayoun goes down injured after contesting a header with Patrice Evra. It was a double-whammy as he got the ball flush in the face and Evra’s forehead into the back of his head. After treatment he’s OK.

43 min: Liverpool corner. Aurelio sends it into the penalty area and Vidic heads clear. The ball finds its way to Insua, who crosses from the left. Ferdinand clears this time and the ball is hacked into the Liverpool half for Valencia to chase. Reina rushes out of his penalty area to boot the ball into the stand.

44 min: From a free-kick wide on the left, Aurelio swings the ball into the Manchester United penalty area. Kuyt goes to ground appealing for a penalty, but none is forthcoming. Replays show that as the ball was delivered, Berbatov had two handfuls of his opponent’s shirt and swung him to the ground like a nightclub bouncer removing a brawling miscreant from a scrap. To be fair to Berbatov, Kuyt also had a fistful of his shirt, for reasons best known to himself.

45 min: Referee Andre Marriner blows for half-time and is immediately surrounded by Manchester United players protesting at assorted perceived injustices. Jamie Carragher joins in and adds his two cents and the heated debate continues, withoiut ever threatening to get out of hand, as the players and officials march off the field for their half-time refreshmentas. Rafa Benitez will definitely be the happier of the two managers during the interval - his side have had the better chances and should really be a goal up.

Half-time

Second half: Benayoun and Torres kick off and the ball is leathered towards Dirk Kuyt, sprinting down the right wing. United clear.

46 min: “This game is massive in the same way a Champions League final is in Pro Evo Soccer,” writes James Wells. “It seems important at the time, but you feel a bit silly afterwards when your girlfriend sees your victory lap around the house.” A Pro Evo player with a girlfriend? Yeah, right. You’re not fooling me, James.

47 min: Good defending for Patric Evra, who matches Benayoun for pace as they sprint towards the byline chasing a through-ball. He sticks out a toe and concedes a corner.

48 min: Liverpool blow another chance to go a goal up, when Yossi Benayoun plays a ball into the path of Dirk Kuyt and the Dutchman pulls it back to his provider instead of putting his boot through it and leathering it goalwards. To make matters worse, his was inaccurate, which means Benayoun has to check his run and control the ball rather than shoot on the fly.

52 min: Free-kick for Liverpool about 45 yards from Manchester United’s goal, out on the right flank. The ball is floated into the penalty area, where Aurelio flicks it into the path of Kuyt on the edge of the six-yard box. As the Dutchman races Van der Sar to the breaking ball, the linesman flags for offside.

53 min: Liverpool attack again, with Torres picking up a pass and sprinting down the inside right channel. He attempts to square the ball for Benayoun but his delivery is way too powerful. Liverpool are their own worst enemies at the moment - United are there for the taking and with a bit more care, their hosts could be three or four up.

55 min: Rooney picks up the ball deep in Liverpool territory, out on the left wing. He heads towards the penalty area with it at his feet but his stopped by an Aurelio body-check. Free-kick for United, a couple of yards outside the penalty area, well left of centre. Giggs curls the ball across the face of goal, where Torres beats Berbatov in the air to clear.

57 min: “This one is set up for everybody’s favourite dwarf to come off the bench and grab the winner,” writes Mark Lumley. “It seems to be in games like this that the diminutive one excels and possibly the only reason Fergie persuaded him to come and sit on the bench everyweek.  The big question is how the tiny one will react if he does manage to score.” It’s a good question - place your bets. Will he be grumpy, happy, sleepy, bashful, sneezy, or dopey?

60 min: Manchester United win a free-kick wide on the right, which Giggs delivers to the far post. Carrick gets on the end of it, heading goalwards from a tight angle. His header is blocked by Glen Johnson, who concedes a corner from which nothing comes.

GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Man Utd (Torres 64) Fernando Torres pounces on a glorious defence-splitting through ball down the inside right position, out-muscles Rio Ferdinand and buries a right-footed drive into the roof of the Manchester United goal from a narrow angle on the edge of the six-yard box. Brilliant play by Benayoun and a marvellous finish by Torres.

66 min: Free-kick for Manchester United after Lucas fouls Carrick about 35 yards out, straight in front of goal. Giggs and Rooney stand over it.

67 min: Rooney takes the free-kick, but strikes the ball straight into the wall.

69 min: Mascherano picks up the ball and advances forward, with Vidic backing off him. The Argentinian pulls the trigger from about 30 yards and his drive cannons off the defender and out for a corner.

70 min: From the inswinger, the ball drops nicely for Lucas, who balloons a shoot high over the bar. His errant shooting aside, he’s had quite a good game today. Himself and Mascherano have formed a solid defensive base in front of the back foor.

72 min: Mascherano gets booked - I didn’t see why. Boos ring out around Anfield as Michael Owen prepares to come on. Manchester United win a free-kick in Liverpool territory, near the left touchline. Giggs plays the ball towards Vidic, who’d lumbered up in anticipation. Liverpool clear.

73 min: Manchester United double substitution: Nani and Owen on, Scholes and Berbatov off.

74 min: Vidic gets booked for a late double-lunge on Torres out by the touchline. They both looked like fair tackles to me.

75 min: Nani finds himself in space with the ball at his feet on the left-hand side of the Liverpool penalty area, but sends a feeble excuse for a shot straight into Reina’s bread-basket. Owen got a fair bit of abuse when he came on, with boos echoing around all four corners of Anfield. I think complete indifference would affect him more than being treated like a pantomime villain, but the Most Knowledgable Fans In The World clearly disagree.

78 min: Liverpool substitution: Torres off, David Ngog on. His work for the afternoon done, Torres is taken off, presumably to avoid aggravating the injury that threatened to rule him out of this game.

81 min: From the halfway line, Michael Carrick tries to quarterback the ball towards Wayne Rooney, but puts too much welly on it. Both Pepe Reina and Rooney look on as the ball sails harmlessly wide.

82 min: From the edge of the penalty area, Ryan Giggs picks out Michael Owen on the edge of the six yard box. Unable to turn and shoot, he lays the ball off to Antonio Valencia, steaming in from the right hand side of the penalty area. From the edge of the six-yard box, Valencia sends a diagonal drive bouncing off the crossbar and out for a throw-in. That was close.

85 min: A couple of yards outside the Liverpool penalty area, Jamie Carragher is beaten for pace by Michael Owen as both chase a through-ball. Carragher drags his former team-mate to ground and referee Andre Marriner shows him a yellow card, when he should probably have flashed a red one. Carragher can consider himself very lucky not to have been sent off. On the touchline, Sir Alex Ferguson is, predictably enough, going ballistic.

88 min: Nemanja Vidic gets sent off for the third consecutive time in fixtures between these two sides. He brought down Dirk Kuyt in the centre circle when the Dutchman was chasing a through-ball with only Edwin van der Sar to beat. It was the same punishment as Jamie Carragher got moments previously, the only difference being that this was Vidic’s second booking.

90 min: United win a free-kick wide on the left, which Giggs floats into the far post. A game of head tennis ensues, then ends with Wayne Rooney heading wide. Liverpool substitution: Benayoun off, Martin Skrtel on.

90+2 min: Martin Skrtel is penalised for a foul in the middle of the field. Van Der Sar launches the ball into the Liverpool penalty area, but Carragher heads clear.

90+4 min: Javier Mascherano gets his second booking for sliding through Van der Sar as the pair raced to a loose ball out on the right touchline. He’s off too - both sides are down to 10 men.

GOAL! Liverpool 2-0 Man Utd (Ngog 90+5min) In time added on to time added on, Manchester United lay siege to the Liverpool goal. With the home team defending frantically, the ball is hacked clear and Kuyt picks it up on the halfway line. He plays it to Lucas, who in turn picks out Ngog. Advancing into the United penalty area, he has all the time in the world to pick his spot and slot the ball calmly past the advancing Van der Sar. Game, set and match, Liverpool.

Peep! Peep! Peep! It’s all over! After asking Liverpool’s players to curtail their goal celebrations in front of the Kop (goalkeeper Pepe Reina had sprinted the length of the field to join in), Andre Marriner waits for United to kick off before ending the game. United have been beaten by Liverpool for the third time in a row and stay second in the table, a point behind Chelsea. As well as ending a four-match losing streak, this thoroughly deserved win sends Liverpool fifth in the table, sandwiched between Arsenal and Manchester City. Crisis? What crisis?

Post-match palaver: “Say no more, this is a massive result for the Kop,” writes Gavin Kelleher, while Tom Hopkins adds: “Torres scored a good goal, but didn’t Rio look a little slow and lightweight?” He did. “Igor Stimac would have stopped that one,” he adds. On Sky Sports, Jamie Redknapp has just likened Fernando Torres to “the difference between sunshine and … eh, cloud.”

Post-match interviews: Fernando Torres is awarded the man-of-the-match bubbly and should probably give fellow contenders Fabio Aurelio and Yossi Benayoun a few well deserved swigs.

Jamie Carragher presents him with the fizz after telling their interviewer that he didn’t think he should have been sent off for his late, late foul on Michael Owen. In the studio, Messrs Carragher, Coppel and Souness disagree, saying Carragher was very lucky not to see red. That would have meant Liverpool finishing the game with nine men against United’s 10, which would have been an unfair reflection on a game that was competitive throughout, but never spiteful or dirty.

Anyway, that’s your lot for this game - you can follow West Ham v Arsenal with John Ashdown here or join in what promises to be a particularly lively “my team’s better/no my team’s better” discussion on our sportblog here, once Kevin McCarra has filed from the Anfield press box.

Boss backs Michael Owen to handle any hostility at his former home ground.

NEMANJA Vidic won’t let his Liverpool nightmare hang over him when he steps out at Anfield.


The United defender suffered a horror show the last time he faced Rafa Benitez’ side - being shown a red card in the 4-1 defeat at Old Trafford last March.

SIR Alex Ferguson has backed Michael Owen to thrive in the Anfield cauldron.


The United striker is in line to start at his former club if Wayne Rooney fails to recover from the calf injury in time to face rivals Liverpool.

The boss is pleased with United’s form ahead of Sunday’s ‘massive game.’

Login to watch a free extract from Sir Alex’s pre-match press conference.

Betfair has all the odds ahead of Sunday’s crunch clash at Anfield.

Scholes says Liverpool will relish a chance to bounce back against United.

• Flak is ‘part of the rules’ now, says Arsenal’s manager
• Frenchman reminded of his troubled start last season

Arsène Wenger has jumped to the defence of Rafael Benítez, his under-fire counterpart at Liverpool, and said the criticism the Spaniard has received this week has been excessive.

Benítez finds himself under an unforgiving spotlight after four successive defeats in all competitions, and six in 13 overall this season, with many of the club’s supporters viewing tomorrow’s Premier League fixture with Manchester United at Anfield with trepidation.

Wenger, however, takes no pleasure in Benítez’s troubles and the Arsenal manager has lent his support to the Spaniard. “Always, it’s excessive,” Wenger said. “We are in a job at the moment that when a big club goes through a difficult period you know that you get more stick than you should but we know as well, in our job, that’s part of it. I feel sorry that he gets that because he doesn’t deserve it but we basically understand that it’s part of the rules.”

Wenger sees a parallel between Liverpool’s troubled start and that which his Arsenal team endured this time last year and added that Benítez faced an energy‑sapping struggle to escape the spiral of decline. Wenger maintains that Arsenal did not have a bad 2008-09 season after reaching the semi-finals of both the Champions League and the FA Cup while their fourth‑placed finish in the Premier League was sufficient to return them to the Champions League.

The Frenchman, however, also feels that the critics had judged his team after the first few months – Arsenal had lost five of 14 league fixtures before the end of November – and that those critics did not stop taking pot-shots at them until it was over. It was exhausting stuff and it took a toll on Wenger and some of the players. The Frenchman said that he had never worked harder during a campaign or borne greater stress. One of his buzz phrases was of him and the club “winning against the tide”. Liverpool are feeling the pull of similar currents and Wenger believes that they will not ease until the end of May.

“What is happening to Liverpool today happened to us last year and every single question is negative for the whole season,” said Wenger. “The big problem we had last year is that very early we were out of the race for the championship. When you do not start well at a big club in the race for the Premier League, it’s all negative around you. You need to be extremely strong inside the club to deal with that.”

If Liverpool were to lose against United, they would find themselves 10 points off the title pace after 10 matches. But Wenger feels that Liverpool or, indeed, “anyone who loves football” ought to take heart from what has shaped up as a more open Premier League, with an increasing number of teams capable of getting results against the so-called ‘big four’.

“Last season the margins were more difficult because Liverpool lost only two games. Now we are nine games played and United have lost only one but they have also drawn. Last season the situation was more difficult. We had lost five after 14 games. We then had the longest unbeaten run in the Premier League from the end of November to the beginning of May [21 games] but it was no longer enough.”

Arsenal entertain Liverpool in the Carling Cup next Wednesday and Wenger is expected to play his usual blend of youthful prospects and fringe first-team members. “I believe that Liverpool will have a mixed team as well,” the Arsenal manager said, “because they play United, then they have Fulham next Saturday and they go to Lyon [in the Champions League on Wednesday week]. They will have to rotate their squad as well.”

Ahead of tomorrow’s big game at Anfield, we look back over the years and pick out 10 classic encounters between the red halves of Liverpool and Manchester

• United manager wary of arch-rivals regardless of form
• Wayne Rooney likely to be fit to return from injury

Sir Alex Ferguson takes his Manchester United side to Anfield on Sunday insisting that his motivation is not the thought of overtaking Liverpool’s record of 18 league titles. United drew level with their arch-rivals last season but now, just as then, the man who once said his biggest challenge at Old Trafford was knocking Liverpool “off their perch” (expletive removed) is anxious not to say anything more that could be used to spur on Rafael Benítez’s team.

A side with United’s experience of winning championships “don’t think that way”, according to their manager, and nor does he believe this a good time to be facing Liverpool, even though he has Wayne Rooney back from injury and their opponents have lost four games in a row.

“Going to Anfield at any time is a hard game,” said Ferguson. “Manchester United against Liverpool is, without question, a massive game whatever the circumstances. It is the kind of game when I came to the club 23 years ago, I just thought, ‘yeah’. In my first derby game I got a complete sense of the history of both teams and it hasn’t changed. It is the game as far as I am concerned, and that won’t change, and it won’t be any different on Sunday.”

Nonetheless Ferguson is acutely aware that Benítez is under an unusually high level of scrutiny. The relationship between the two men all but disintegrated during last season’s championship race and there were few sympathetic words from Ferguson – “I’m not going into that at all,” he said, “I’m not going to make you some headlines” – but he did speak of his concern about the pressure managers had to endure.

“In modern-day football the manager is always going to be the scapegoat, no matter what happens. It happens time and time again. You see what has happened to Gareth Southgate [sacked at Middlesbrough this week]. You scratch your head at that one because he’s a young manager and he’s only had three years in the job after going straight in from being a player, and three years is not an apprenticeship. But that is the climate we are in. Managers are always going to suffer.

“I keep referring to three years ago – the [2005-06] season when you all had me written off. I was past my sell-by date and should have been puffing on my pipe and the rest of it. It is just the climate we are in. I don’t take it personally because it is just the industry we are in. A manager is subjected to that. It is an unusual situation for anyone in the job.”

The former Liverpool striker has vowed to celebrate if he scores for Manchester United on Sunday

It is Nantes-Atlantique airport, February 2002. Manchester United’s players are queueing by passport control, waiting to board their plane after a Champions League tie at the Stade de la Beaujoire. Four of them are talking about Steven Gerrard. They have heard he was injured, possibly seriously, in a goalless draw against Galatasaray at Anfield. One of the players deadpans that it might be a broken neck and there is laughter. “Shame it wasn’t Michael Owen,” another volunteers. More laughter.

The story is worth retelling if only to remind ourselves how football will never lose its unerring ability to conjure up the unexpected. You think you have seen it all, you think there is nothing left to surprise you, and then you try to picture the scene as the bus carrying United’s players inches its way into Anfield on Sunday, surrounded by police motorcycles, and Owen is among those looking out through the smoked-out windows, wondering what awaits him in his first game back at the stadium where, in the words of Gerrard, he established himself as “the best striker in the history of Liverpool Football Club”.

Owen, lest it be forgotten, was with Liverpool from the age of 13 to 24, scoring 158 goals in the process. He was Merseyside’s original baby-faced assassin, long before the assassin-faced baby otherwise known as the 16-year-old Wayne Rooney broke through at Everton. “Michael was as much a part of Liverpool as the Kop and the Shankly Gates,” Gerrard would recall in his autobiography.

Yet Owen, five years after leaving Anfield, is now part of a club that Gerrard was “taught to loathe”. An act of disloyalty or simply a good career move? Or maybe a bit of both? There are rights and wrongs about both ends to the argument, but the only certainty is that Owen should be braced for a hostile reception when he walks out beneath the “This is Anfield” sign he used to tap for good luck.

Will it bother him? “Everyone wants to be liked but I don’t think so,” his manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, said . “He played for Liverpool for over a decade and the goals he scored for them mark him down as one of their best-ever strikers. Only Ian Rush [and Roger Hunt and Billy Liddell] got more. That should stand him in good stead with the Liverpool fans but it will be interesting to see what reaction he gets. Paul Ince got a bad reception from our fans when he joined Liverpool; Michael may well get that again. But I don’t think it will bother him. He’s got the experience to handle it.”

Owen is certainly a sturdy enough character not to be unsettled by a crowd’s hostility. And he has been back to Anfield before, as a Newcastle player, and was booed on that occasion too – not as viciously, perhaps, as the vitriol that will inevitably be heard on Sunday, but boos all the same. It is strange that he could be so unloved, when his feats for Liverpool included almost single-handedly winning the 2001 FA Cup final. But at Anfield it was always Robbie Fowler who was known as “God”. There was a perception among the fans that Owen was never quite one of them, despite being best friends with Jamie Carragher. His name was never one of the first to be chanted, if at all.

Behind the scenes there is still irritation about how he handled his departure and, subsequently, Rafael Benítez’s attempts to re-sign him from Real Madrid. Benítez was asked about it today and, in that pointed way of his, replied: “Each person decides what he wants to do. We are really happy with [Fernando] Torres.”

At United, meanwhile, not even a 97th-minute winner against Manchester City has persuaded the fans to chant Owen’s name yet. Tomorrow, you might imagine, would be a good place to start, but don’t count on it. Instead, United’s fans are more concerned about smuggling beach balls into the away stands. Or celebrating the Kop’s banner when Ferguson took them to Merseyside after his first league title: “Au revoir Cantona come back when you’ve won 18.” The Red News fanzine has even been giving away a Cantona face-mask.

“I think many Reds put Owen’s signing down to the ways of modern football, where nothing really can surprise anymore,” its writer Pete Shaw explains. “A bit of indigestion, then you swallow it down and just accept it. As one Red said after his goal against City: ‘I suppose this means Owen isn’t a shit anymore?’ That doesn’t mean United fans will be singing his name to the rafters – though he was well received when coming off against Bolton last week – but we just deal with it. It would drive you round the bend thinking about his past too much.”

Ferguson certainly did not regard Owen’s links with Liverpool as a concern when it came to signing him in the summer. “It was never mentioned. I never even thought about it. I made my mind up about Michael and there was no negotiation. He was desperate to come. It was so simple – a half-an-hour meeting and everything was concluded.

“He wanted to be back at a top club and to have European football again and it was definitely the right thing to do [signing him]. There is no one better at holding the line in the last third of the field.”

As for Owen himself, he has deliberately said little this week other than to clarify that he does not feel like he has been disloyal to his first club. He does not intend, however, to copy the modern-day practice of choosing not to celebrate should he score against his former employers. And if he gets his wish perhaps the United supporters will decide to cut him some slack.

“If he scores the winner on Sunday, at the Kop end, nearly all will be forgiven,” Shaw says. “After all, if you get in bed with the enemy, you may as well cuddle and say you love them under the covers while they are with you.”

• Manchester United fans plan to wear Eric Cantona masks
• Owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett will attend Anfield match

Manchester United supporters have a trick up their sleeves for tomorrow’s visit to Liverpool that does not involve hidden beach balls. Twelve years after the Kop proclaimed “Au revoir Cantona, come back when you’ve won 18″, their hated rivals and now equals as English champions intend to accept that invitation by donning Eric Cantona masks at Anfield. Should Liverpool fall to a fifth consecutive defeat for the first time since September 1953, Rafael Benítez may need one of his own.

A defining moment is upon Liverpool and their manager, and how Sir Alex Ferguson would love to be the man to send both into freefall. While United followers are torn between trying to smuggle beach balls or face masks past Liverpool stewards under instruction to confiscate inflatables, the dilemma facing the home support is of far greater significance.

Thousands of Liverpool fans are expected to demand regime change before kick-off in the latest protest march against the divided ownership of Tom Hicks and George Gillett. For the first time since he replaced Gérard Houllier as Liverpool manager in 2004, and certainly since it emerged the Americans had saddled the club with serious debts while offering the Spaniard’s job to Jürgen Klinsmann, Benítez is no longer immune to criticism from within.

This week, comprising a defeat at Sunderland wrought by an official Liverpool beach ball and a stoppage-time defeat to Lyon in the Champions League, has been “different”, according to Benítez. He is not yet fighting for survival at a club that could not afford a pay-off in excess of £20m, nor has the Madrileño lost the majority of the Anfield support or dressing room. But Benítez is battling to preserve a reputation that was always liable to be the first victim of the dysfunctional regime he works under, and he will not alter his view that his way is the only way forward.

“People have asked about the bigger picture and I have the big picture,” said the Liverpool manager, who spent Thursday relaxing with his young family before settling down to watch United games on DVD. “I think it will be better in the future. How can we do this? First we need to win some games to change the mood on the pitch. After we have to keep doing things in the right way. I have some ideas and I think it can be better.”

Hicks and Gillett will be in attendance tomorrow and asked whether it was fair that the manager should be the subject of such scrutiny, Benítez replied: “The only way to change things at this club is to concentrate on what I can control. What can I control now? I can work with the players, analyse what has gone wrong and try to do the right things on the pitch. I cannot talk about other things because they have no influence on the game. I have to concentrate on what I can do with the players. I will not use the [stalled plans to build a new] stadium now as an excuse. We know there is a massive difference in the money [generated at Anfield and Old Trafford] but we have better fans. So I am pleased.”

Tomorrow marks Benítez’s 200th league game as Liverpool manager and at any other time, against any other opponent and arguably at any other club it would be a moment for a proud declaration, not fear that the bicentennial could mark the unravelling of a regime.

Only Kenny Dalglish can boast a better win percentage after 200 league games than the Spaniard, who is level with Bob Paisley on 113 victories and will move ahead of the three-times European Cup- winning legend should Liverpool pull off another of their dramatic recoveries against the champions. For added perspective, Arsène Wenger won 110 of his first 200 at Arsenal while a pre-knighted Alex Ferguson is way back on 87. “The numbers are not bad,” reflected Benítez. “Maybe some people don’t see the big picture but we have to prepare for the game. We cannot change the vision of some people.”

What undermines Benítez in comparison with his illustrious Anfield forebears is league championships won in that period. Dalglish had collected three inside those 200 matches and Paisley two.

But they both inherited teams whose last league championship was 12 months previously, not 14 years, as Benítez did, although he still somehow made European champions of Djimi Traoré, Harry Kewell, Milan Baros, Josemi, Antonio Núñez and Igor Biscan by the end of his first season.

The protection afforded by that remarkable Champions League victory of 2005 has been threatened by a start to a season that brought exalted expectations, but has so far witnessed mediocrity in Europe and the Premier League. Defeat to United would leave Liverpool 10 points behind their Old Trafford rivals and sick at the thought it may be Ferguson, not Benítez, who gets to 19 titles first.

“It’s an important game because it’s United but also because of our position,” admitted the Liverpool manager, who will give fitness tests to Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard and Glen Johnson today but is expected to be without his captain tomorrow. “We know we have to win and then we will be four points behind. We have to think about the positives. If we beat United, after everyone talking about Liverpool for the last two weeks, we will be just four points behind.

“We need to do the right things at the right moment, it doesn’t matter whether that’s on or off the pitch. At this moment the right thing is to prepare for this game because, 11 against 11, we can beat anyone.”

Benítez has sought advice from his coaches, Sammy Lee and Mauricio Pellegrino, as he attempts to resurrect Liverpool’s season, as well as “friends who played football with you in the past”. Wisely, he has paid less attention to the airwaves or the column inches that have called for his head. “The supporters are important but you have too many,” insisted Benítez. “There are 60 million managers in England so you cannot listen to everyone. It is important to know which people can give you advice but I can guarantee you that in the last two days the fans have been very supportive and positive. I was in a big store the other day and four or five came up and no one asked me about substitutions against Lyon. They just told me to beat United.”

Gillett shrewdly kept the wolves from the door after the Lyon defeat by assuring Benítez that his job was safe. Arguably the words that mattered most to the Spaniard, however, came yesterday from Dalglish, brought back to the club in the summer in a dual role as ambassador and youth academy adviser and the last Liverpool manager to preside over a run of four successive defeats.

“Everyone within the upper echelons of this club has no doubt whatsoever about Rafa – I know that for a fact,” insisted the Liverpool legend. “Everybody at Liverpool Football Club knows Rafa is the right man to get the club through this. No one is pumped up and panicking in any way, shape or form. Everyone is being as helpful and supportive as they possibly can be to the manager.

“Everybody is hurting – everybody wants the same thing – to get a victory on the board. The best way to do that is to stick together and have nobody pointing fingers or going round corners and having sneaky conversations. Yes there’s criticism, but there’s no way Liverpool Football Club and the majority of people would want Rafa to go anywhere.”

Despite a planned protest against the owners before the match, there will be a show of unity and determination at Anfield tomorrow once the game begins. Inside the stadium the fans’ efforts will be directed solely against Manchester United. Liverpool did beat these opponents twice in the league last season, but the club looks to be in a decline steepened by injuries. United, in contrast, should be able to field a stronger line-up than the one that beat CSKA Moscow in Russia on Wednesday. Kevin McCarra

Venue Anfield Tickets Sold out Last season Liverpool 2 Manchester United 1 Referee A Marriner

This season’s matches 6 Y20, R1, 3.50 cards per game

sportingbet odds Liverpool 7-4 Man Utd 7-5 Draw 21-10

Liverpool

Subs from Cavalieri, Gerrard, Babel, Skrtel, Voronin, Ngog, Spearing, Degen, Plessis, Dossena, Ayala

Doubtful Johnson (groin), Torres (groin), Gerrard (groin)

Injured Aquilani (ankle, 31 Oct), Riera (hamstring, 31 Oct), Kyrgiakos (knee, 31 Oct), El Zhar (hamstring, 31 Oct), Kelly (ankle, 9 Nov)

Form guide LLWWWW Disciplinary record Y13 R0

Leading scorer Torres 8

Manchester United

Subs from Foster, Kuszczak, Welbeck, Brown, Fletcher, Evans, Neville, Gibson, Scholes, Carrick, Macheda, Tosic, Rafael, Fabio, Obertan

Doubtful Fletcher (groin), Rooney (calf),

Evra (ankle), Giggs (thigh)

Injured Park (knee, Oct 31), Hargreaves (knee, Nov 3)

Suspended None

Form guide WDWWWW Disciplinary record Y14 R1

Leading scorer Rooney 6

Match pointers

• This will be Rafa Benítez’s 200th league game in charge of Liverpool – if his side lose it will be the first time they have lost three league games in a row during his reign

• United have lost one of their last seven league trips to Anfield

• The last five league meetings between these sides in Liverpool have resulted in a a total of six goals, three of them in last season’s match

• United have delivered the most crosses this season (232) but Liverpool have played the most successful crosses (55)

Rafael Benítez’s side will overcome the champions only if they abandon their recent ponderous approach

Liverpool will need to transform their recent rather ponderous approach play. They need more urgency in their passing game to create a faster tempo, though that does not necessarily mean playing more directly and merely launching the ball upfield more quickly.

Given the current pressure on the home side, and with the supporters’ anxiety no doubt playing on their minds, it would be easy to fall into that trap. Rather Jamie Carragher, who has not been distributing as accurately as he can, must lead from the back and pass the ball out of defence. And the defence must get into the habit of moving the ball across their back line more quickly, which will work United’s probable split front-three.

To do this well, Liverpool must have a player in midfield who wants the ball and is willing to accept it with some moral bravery and combine with colleagues to draw Manchester United’s midfield towards them and out of position. Straighter, longer, more direct play will be meat and drink to Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand as Liverpool have no real power to compete in this area, even if Fernando Torres features.

In an ideal world Javier Mascherano would have had Steven Gerrard close at hand. The England midfielder’s expected absence will hamper the hosts, who will crave some creativity and individuality in the final third to disturb United. Yet, most importantly, Rafael Benítez must ensure that his team boasts a good balance.

In this respect the left-back, Emiliano Insúa, with Fábio Aurélio or Albert Riera on the left wing, must try to achieve advanced, wide positions and conjure early, left-footed crosses. Should they achieve that, then they will know that Dirk Kuyt, always the willing Trojan, is a master of attacking the “second post” from diagonal passes and deep crosses. Liverpool have enough quality left-footed players to deliver him decent service.

Even if the indefatigable Kuyt drifts infield, he is adept at pulling off his man and being a danger at the back stick. With that in mind, it is critical that, at the moment of delivery, his team-mates are prepared to get in the box anticipating the Dutchman’s knock-down. Kuyt’s ability to hold his jump and steer headers from the back post could be the key. Patrice Evra, rested in midweek, will be a likely starter but has recently been found wanting in aerial challenges in deep defensive areas. Liverpool, who beat United at Anfield without Gerrard and Torres in the starting line-up last season, can exploit this. There are few other crumbs at present upon which the home side can feed.

Yossi Benayoun can make inroads but, if Gerrard is absent, probably needs a more central role with either Aurélio, Riera or Ryan Babel holding the left while Mascherano and, most likely, Lucas Leiva bite in the middle. United will probably play Darren Fletcher, Michael Carrick and Ryan Giggs as a midfield threesome and Liverpool will need the help of their second striker, Benayoun, to help out in midfield if this is the case.

With the Israeli’s support, the home side will still be able to even things up in that vital midfield area. Only if Liverpool keep the ball smartly in the centre will their left flank, whatever the personnel, be able to double up with confidence and progress forward to cross. Rarely are Liverpool underdogs but tomorrow this group must be ultra-strong to play on the front foot. As Brian Clough once said about a very talented outside left who played for him at both Derby and Forest, you may not have physical courage but you must have moral courage in a hot situation to want the ball.

• Gerrard, Torres and Johnson have until Sunday to get fit
• Riera, Kelly and Kyrgiakos all ruled out of Manchester United clash

Liverpool boss Rafael Benítez will give his injured trio of Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Glen Johnson every chance to prove their fitness ahead of Sunday’s Premier League match against Manchester United.

Gerrard is the biggest concern of those suffering from groin injuries, but he received treatment today, and that will continue right up until the match at Anfield.

Torres and Johnson are much closer to being confirmed in the starting line-up to face United, but winger Albert Riera (hamstring) and defenders Martin Kelly (ankle) and Sotirios Kyrgiakos (knee) are out.

Italian midfielder Alberto Aquilani, who played for the reserves on Wednesday, will not be considered.

Liverpool provisional squad: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Skrtel, Aurélio, Insúa, Mascherano, Babel, Lucas, Kuyt, Benayoun, Gerrard, Torres, Voronin, Ngog, Spearing, Plessis, Dossena, Cavalieri.

• You hope the teams around you stumble, says City manager
• ‘I’m convinced the top teams will lose more points than ever’

The Manchester City manager, Mark Hughes, is more eager than usual to learn the result of the Anfield clash between bitter enemies Liverpool and Manchester United.

“It’s a big fixture in the sporting calendar, and irrespective of our ambitions this year everybody looks at that game because it’s a big one and there’s huge focus on it. Maybe this year we’re looking at it with a different view and with renewed interest,” said Hughes.

Hughes’s side are five points behind the leaders United with a game in hand, and their city rivals’ clash at Liverpool on Sunday takes on far greater importance than it has been in the past.

Hughes said: “I’m relishing the fact the other two are playing each other. You hope the teams in and around you stumble so you can take full advantage of that. Obviously, in years gone by, we’ve been more used to mid-table teams and the like, and looking at their results. Maybe now we can say we’re looking at the top teams around us and hoping they’re going to fail.”

The Manchester City manager believes this year’s title race could be closer than ever.

“When we go up against the top four teams, if we can do our work and take points off them then that will help us in terms of the ambitions we have,” he said. “Along the way, I’m convinced this year and as we’ve already seen, the top teams will lose more points than they’ve ever done. That’s not with the benefit of hindsight. I sensed that at the beginning of the season. I just felt there were a lot of strong teams, ourselves included, that could cause those teams a problem.”

Hughes believes that a hectic week for Fulham, that saw them beat Hull City on Monday before drawing against Roma in the Europa League last night, could play into City’s hands.

“Our record against Fulham isn’t great in recent years. But they played Monday, Thursday, and now they’re heading up the motorway to play us, so it’s a big ask for them. It’s difficult when you’re in Europe, as we found out at times to our cost, so we hope to benefit from that on this occasion.”

Hughes is hopeful that the captain, Kolo Touré, and Craig Bellamy can return to the side after missing last Sunday’s draw at Wigan Athletic with a heel injury and groin strain respectively. City are definitely without Pablo Zabaleta as the defender serves a one-match ban following his dismissal for two bookable offences at the DW Stadium.

SIR Alex Ferguson insists form will play no part in what he deems Manchester United’s biggest fixture on Sunday - a clash with Liverpool.


United are in much the better shape as they prepare to face their great rivals at Anfield.

• Liverpool will always be ‘the game’ for United says Ferguson
• Rooney is ‘always desperate to play’ says manager

Sir Alex Ferguson insists form will play no part in what he deems Manchester United’s biggest fixture on Sunday as they face Liverpool.

Ferguson’s men are top of the Premier League and on course for a place in the knockout stages of the Champions League.

In contrast Liverpool are lurching towards a crisis after a run of four successive defeats which has left them struggling to maintain interest in both competitions.

Yet Ferguson has faced Liverpool enough times during his long tenure at Old Trafford to know to expect the unexpected.

The Scot said: “Manchester United and Liverpool games, as I have said many times, are without question massive games. That will never change. It is the kind of game when I came to the club 23 years ago, I thought ‘Yeah’.

“In my first derby game with them I got a complete sense of the history of both teams and it hasn’t changed. It is still a massive game. It is the game as far as I am concerned, that won’t change.

“We are going in in decent form, there is good confidence in our play, but it is a derby game and anything can happen in derby games. Going to Anfield at any time is a hard game.”

Victory for United would add considerably to the growing pressure on Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez.

Yet Ferguson, subject of a remarkable attack from Benitez last season, is quick to point out that is no concern of his.

“I’m not interested in Liverpool,” the 67-year-old said. “I’m only concerned about what we do on Sunday.”

United comfortably held off Liverpool to take the title last season, even though they lost twice at the hands of Benitez’s men.

The second of those occasions was a 4-1 humbling at Old Trafford but, having had the last laugh by equalling Liverpool’s record of 18 league wins, Ferguson does not feel there are scores to settle.

He added: “I don’t see that we have a point to prove. Different games are shaped by circumstances of games. You can’t look at last season as a barometer of our form or Liverpool’s form. Derby games are derby games and anyone can win it. Strange things can happen. It has happened so many times.”

Wayne Rooney remains doubtful for United as he continues to struggle with the calf injury sustained during England’s World Cup qualifier in Ukraine a fortnight ago. The striker will be assessed tomorrow - his 24th birthday - before a decision is taken on whether to include him in the squad.

Ferguson said: “He is always desperate to play. That is the nature of the boy, you won’t stop that. It is important how he does in training tomorrow. If he does train tomorrow we will have a better idea.”

Ryan Giggs and Patrice Evra are both poised to return after suffering knocks against Bolton last week but Darren Fletcher is also doubtful and Park Ji-Sung is definitely out.

But Ferguson feels his side are now stronger for the recent return of veteran goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar. The start of the 38-year-old Dutchman’s season was ruined by a hand injury but he came back against Bolton and also featured in the midweek win at CSKA Moscow.

Ferguson recently heard his number one described as the game’s best goalkeeper on a TV programme and is in full agreement. “Ruud Gullit said he was the best in the world and got no argument from the rest of the panel,” Ferguson said. “His argument was quite right - look at his record over the years. His experience, his composure, his organisational ability - he really is a fantastic goalkeeper. He does make a difference to us.”

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is handed long term job assurances by the club’s managing director ahead of the Manchester United clash.

Liverpool deservedly defeat rivals Manchester United to end a run of four straight defeats and ease the pressure on manager Rafa Benitez.

Wayne and Darren face fitness race for Sunday, while Evra and Giggs are passed fit.