Liverpool have inflicted a humiliation on Manchester United at Old Trafford. A 3-0 win, three penalties for the visitors and a red card for Nemanja Vidic. David Moyes might struggle to pick out the most miserable game of his Manchester United tenure thus far, but today surely has to be a contender.
From the opening exchanges Liverpool looked the sharper, more cohesive side and Daniel Sturridge enjoyed the only clear cut chance of the opening 20 minutes.
Rafael handled the ball in the box shortly after half an hour into the game, as Luis Suarez deftly touched the ball past the full back. Referee Mark Clattenberg pointed to the spot but did not book Rafael. The Brazilian had been booked just minutes earlier for a heavy tackle on Steven Gerrard and was very lucky to remain on the field after handling in the box.
Gerrard stepped up and produced an inch perfect spot kick into the side netting. The lead was deserved and United only looked threatening for the final 5 minutes of the first half.
Any hopes that the pressure applied by United in the final minutes of the first half might be signs of a second half turnaround were dismissed within 25 seconds of the restart. Phil Jones collided with Jordan Henderson, barging into the Liverpool midfielder’s back, in the box and Clattenberg pointed to the spot again. Gerrard, again, finished expertly.
Liverpool seemed content to sit back from that point, inviting United on to them and quickly unleashing their forward trio of Suarez, Sturridge and Sterling. Any plans Moyes may have hatched at the break were dashed and he now faced the unenviable option – his only one – of pushing on to one of the league’s best counter attacking sides.
Liverpool had a third penalty and United were down to 10 men when Daniel Sturridge went down in the United box. It was a dive but Vidic will likely regret exposing himself with a misjudged lunge.
It was the 84th minute when the game was settled. Luis Suarez collected a Sturridge mis-hit and wth no United defenders around him swept it past David De Gea.
