13-09-2008 Liverpool
Liverpool comeback from behind to beat Man United in ‘clasico’


Benitez rests Fernando Torres following his return from injury as Liverpool record their league win number 50 over Red Devils

Fernando Torres started the North-West derby on the bench alongside Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard as the Merseysiders came back from behind to beat Manchester United at Anfield, and claim their 50th league triumph over the Red Devils. With the Spanish striker on the bench, Rafa Benitez selected Dirk Kuyt and Robbie Keane to lead the Merseysiders’ attack.

Liverpool could not have got off to a worse start, as Manchester United took the lead as early as the third minute. Dimitar Berbatov chased a long ball before squaring back from the byeline for Carlos Tevez to shoot past Reina into the bottom left-hand corner. The Argentine arrived completely unmarked in the box.

Dirk Kuyt then had two chances in the space of two frenetic minutes as Liverpool looked to cancel out the strike from Carlos Tevez. The Dutch forward first smashed a volley just wide of the post, before later drawing Edwin van der Sar into an excellent reflex save following a Red corner.

The Merseysiders had Wes Brown to thank for the equaliser following a mix-up between the defender and Van der Sar. Xabi Alonso played a rather hopeful looking ball into the box, but the Manu U keeper punched clearance struck Wes Brown before bouncing into the unguarded net.

Liverpool started the second-half attacking the Kop End, and straight from the kick-off looked the most likely to score a second. Van der Saar did well to block a snap-shot from Benayoun, and both Riera and Mascherano also tested the Dutch keeper with longe range efforts.

Alex Ferguson’s men seemed content to sit back, creating very little in the way of an attacking threat. All Man U had to show in the second-half was a shot from Ryan Giggs which Pepe Reina acrobatically pushed over the bar.

The Reds persistence finally paid off in the 77th minute. Great work form Javier Mascherano on the byeline found Dirk Kuyt who unselfishly squared for second-half substitute Ryan Babel to crash home.

Manchester United looked shell-shocked following Liverpool’s second, and a third goal for the home team looked much more likely than an equaliser.

Any chance of a leveller from the Red Devils disappeared as Vidic was sent-off following a second yellow card offence. Liverpool held on for a morale boasting win, their first against Manchester United at Anfield since November 2001. Next-up, Olympique Marseille in the Champions League group game opener.


Match Stats: Liverpool 2– 1 Manchester United

Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Aurelio, Carragher, Skrtel, Alonso, Mascherano (Hyypia, 86), Riera (Babbel, 72), Benayoun (Gerrard, 68), Keane, Kuyt.

Goals: Wes Brown, 26 (o.g.), Babel, 77

Manchester United: Van der Sar, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Rooney, Scholes (Hargreaves, 66), Carrick (Giggs, 46), Anderson (Nani, 78), Tevez, Berbatov.

Booked: Tevez, Nani, Vidic (sent-off- double yellow card, 88)

Goals: Carlos Tevez, 3