Liverpool played themselves back into Premier League contention with a resounding 4-1 win at Old Trafford in Saturday's early game. Although Manchester United remain four points clear with a game in hand and superior goal difference, they are now under slightly more pressure in one of the three remaining competitions they are seeking to win.
Empics Vidic: The Serbian capped a bad day with a red card.
United shaded a relatively open quarter and took the lead on 23 minutes. Carlos Tevez threaded a pass through to Ji-Sung Park, deep into the Liverpool penalty area, and Park's touch took him beyond goalkeeper Jose Reina, although away from goal. Committed to the tackle, Reina brought Park down and was beaten to his right from Cristiano Ronaldo's subsequent penalty.
United sought to press home their advantage, but Fernando Torres took advantage of a glaring error by Nemanja Vidic and equalised with 28 minutes gone. In the penultimate minute of the first half, Liverpool were ahead, Patrice Evra misjudging a crossfield ball, pulling down the passing Steven Gerrard who converted the resultant penalty.
Although United were on top for the first half of the second period they rarely threatened to score, and the game was effectively ended after 77 minutes. Vidic, enduring the definitive nightmare afternoon, hacked down Gerrard who would have been clear on goal and after receiving a red card had to watch as Fabio Aurelio whacked in a free kick for 3-1. There was still time for United to be caught again as they chased the game with ten men, and Andrea Dossena compounded their misery with a deft chip over Van der Sar after a long, straight punt from Reina had inexcusably evaded their entire back four.
9:56 AM
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Rafa Benitez is backing his side to shift through the gears during what is set to be a crucial month in the club's season.
The Anfield boss knows the Reds have not totally convinced in their opening five matches despite an unbeaten run which has taken them to joint top of the league.
But with massive games against Manchester United and Everton looming in the next month, not to mention the start of our Champions League campaign, Benitez expects his side to start reaching full potential.
"Javier Mascherano, Lucas and Ryan Babel arrived late and I am sure that in a few weeks' time it will be better," the gaffer told Liverpoolfc.tv.
"We need to have better possession and work on having a higher tempo."
Liverpool's last outing brought a credible point at Villa Park without Steven Gerrard and, for the most part, Fernando Torres.
Benitez added: "Getting a draw without them showed the quality in the squad – but it could have been better.
"Having watched the videos, I thought we could have won. We had four chances – Alonso, Kuyt, Ngog and Keane. They had two and some set-pieces. So, the point was good but it could have been better.
"We changed the system to play 4-3-3 and give Xabi Alonso freedom, then when he was being pressed we changed to 4-2-3-1. People said, 'Oh, Robbie Keane wasn't playing well on the left.' But we had to think about winning the game, not just one player."
Gerrard is currently recovering from a groin operation due to keep him out 10-15 days.
On the skipper's race to face United on September 13, Benitez said: "Steven is okay. He's started with bicycle work and will start jogging, so I think he will be ready soon."
Meanwhile, the Liverpool boss is backing Daniel Agger to rise to the challenge of extra competition at centre-back.
The Dane has been absent from the starting XI since the first leg of our Champions League qualifier in Liege.
Benitez said: "Martin Skrtel is a good centre-back, Jamie Carragher is very consistent and Sami Hyypia is a good option also, so Daniel needs to work hard if he wants to play and he knows that.
"We want two players for each position but Daniel has a very good mentality and he will be ready."
1:48 PM
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