The Moon of Liberty

FA Carling Premiership

Liverpool Vs Manchester United - Venue, Anfield

With Berbatov making a debut start, Rooney coming off a high in midweek and Liverpool leaving Gerrard and Torres on the bench, Manchester United had to feel confident going into this clash with their old inter-city rivals as they amde the trip down the East Lancs road to Anfield. The confidence showed from the off, United took control of the game and Berbatov tried a snap shot within a minute that was blocked by Martin Skrtel.

The domination continued. Only 3 minutes in a smart passing move by United set berbatov free down the win. After easily mvoing passed Arbeloa down the right he smartly pulled the ball back into a dangerous area. With Liverpool's defensive retreating to the goaline, Carols Tevez had pleanty of time to fire home from the edge of the box and stun the Kop early on.

GOAL - Liverpool 0 Manchester United 1 - TEVEZ (3 MINS)

After this Liverpool began to settle and get a foothold in the match. On 9 minutes Dirk Kuyt went close with a volley just passed the post. A few moments later United keeper Van Der Sar lost a corner but redeemed the situation with a point blank save from Kuyt again. From this point Liverpool began to dominate possession but you did wonder where the goal was coming from.

The answer was forthcoming. Another mistake by the United keeper proved crucil. Xabi Alonso's shot deflected off Evra, it looked an easy one for Van Der Sar to deal with, but instead he panicked by trying to scoop the ball out rather than collect it, in doing so it hit the unfortunate Wes Brown and trickled into the net. It proved to be a bit of luck Liverpool needed. 1-1 was the score at the half time break

GOAL - Liverpool 1 Manchester United 1 - BROWN OWN GOAL (27 MINS)

Into the second half Liverpool took a stranglehold on the game. A smart pass from Robbie Keane put Benayoun away but a slight miscontrol took it away from goal. Kean also miskicked a chance of his own after a forward run from Mascherano.

Liverpool were playing as well as in a while. The movment between Keane, Kuyt, debutant Riera, Fabio Aurellio and Benayoun was hugely impressive. The usually defensive minded Arbeloa was getting forward from right back, Maschero and Alonso were making forward runs when Liverpool were in possesssion. Also Martin Skrtel got forward a couple of times and had a long range effort on target that was easily saved. The mindset was attack minded and going out to try and win the game, in a way Liverpool have been criticised for not doing more of in previous games.

By contrast United were poor in the second half. Substitue Ryan Giggs did manage a clever effort when he tried to chip Reina who managed to turn it over the bar. This however was not a warning of more to come as Liverpool continued to dominate. Manager Benitez put on Steven Gerrard and Ryan Babel for the last 20 minutes.

Unusally it was Babel and not Gerrard who proved decisive. with 13 minutes to go Mascherano made another uncharacteristic forward run, he stole the ball from Ryan Giggs at the by-line and pulled the ball back, similar to the United goal, and despite mishitting it slightly Ryan Babel's shot found the back of the net to send the Kop wild.

GOAL - Liverpool 2 Manchester United 1 - BABEL (77 MINS)

Could they hang on for 13 minutes. In truth they were not hanging on but more likely to score again.The forwards continued working hard, and Mascherano and Alsonso ensure nothing would pass them in midfield. What for Liverpool could be a key victory was secured. Today showed with two up front and an attack minded mentality, they could compete with the best. For United, it does notg et easier, Chelsea away is next up for them, a defeat could, even at this earlytime of the season, put them quite a way behaind the leaders.

RESULT

Liverpool                       (1) 2

Brown (OG) 27, Babel 77

Manchester United      (1) 1

Tevez 3

MOON OF LIBERTY STAR MAN - Javier Mascherano - Showed today not only is he a fine defnesive midfielder, but can be a huge problem going forward too. An awesome alround display which laid the foundations for the victory.