Precarious: Manchester United 2 Liverpool 1

Patrice Evra's second-half header proved to be the winning goal for his side

Image retrieved from The Telegraph UK

Starting Lineups (Courtesy of Soccerway.com)

Goals of the Game

Manchester United: van Persie (19'), Evra (54')

Liverpool: Sturridge (57')

With Jose Mourinho watching on the stands, Sir Alex Ferguson claimed a victory against long-time rivals Liverpool, content in keeping a formidable lead at the top of the league table.

The first half started with not much flare compared to the previous meetings of these two sides. The teams engaged in a sparring game until tides would turn to United's favor. Lovely passing play from Kagawa, Cleverley and Evra brought Robin van Persie the ball, who smashed the ball in from just outside the 6-yard box. Cleverley almost made it 2-0 when a Kagawa attempt was poorly cleared. The young Cleverley would attempt a shot from the edge of the penalty area, but the ball drifted wide. 

Robin van Persie celebrates as he scores the first goal of the match for United.

Image retrieved from the Official Barclays Premiere League Twitter account

Liverpool tried their best to put some offense, but it wasn't happening. Mishaps from Joe Allen and captain Steven Gerrard, including a poor return ball, made Suarez unable to latch an attack. Then, on the counter-attack, Carrick makes a similar pass made by Ryan Giggs to van Persie in the West Ham FA Cup match, but this was to Rafael. The Brazilian was unopposed as he brought the ball towards the 6-yard box and passed it to RVP who was unable to finish. Kagawa tried to pounce on the rebound but he stumbled with Liverpool's keeper Pepe Reina.

Liverpool carried their unspectacular run in the second half. Sterling and Johnson provided some threats in the wing, but the Liverpool side just wasn't making any progress. Their defense proved ever flimsier when a free kick from Robin van Persie was collected by Patrice Evra, who outran his marker and made the score 2-0. Daniel Sturridge, Liverpool's signing from Chelsea and their halft-time sub, made sure he had some say in the match's affairs when he collected a rebound with authority three minutes later, when De Gea unconvincingly parried Gerrard's attempt.

Daniel Sturridge makes the impact off the bench by pulling a goal back for Liverpool

Image retrieved from The Daily Mail UK

Liverpool would soon put United on edge, as the home side lost their composure amidst the pressure. However, they kept their lead, and the Old Trafford faithful breathed a sigh of relief as their side won a fidgety victory against age-old rivals Liverpool. For a brief moment, The Red Devils are ten points clear of nearest rival City.

On The Brink: Liverpool 1 Manchester United 2

Rafael and Van Persie launched United to victory at an emotion-filled Anfield

Image retrieved from Goal.com

Goals of the Game

Manchester United: Rafael (51'), van Persie (81' PG)

Liverpool: Gerrard (46')

In a match filled with angst, determination, rage and controversy, a mediocre-performing Manchester United had all the luck in the world as the scraped a win against a dominating Liverpool team at Anfield, amidst emotions on the brink just more than a week after the Hillsborough news was revealed.

There was a humbling aura at Anfield as both teams gave tribute for the 96 people who died at the Hillsborough incident. Evra and Suarez had set aside their differences and shook hands, United gave a floral tribute to Liverpool, senior players Giggs and Gerrard let out 96 red balloons representing the 96 victims.

But all the solemnity was out the window when the whistle was blown. True to the event, Liverpool kicked off the game in powerful fashion, having a lot of possession and a lot of chances. United had a tough time getting to the ball and sank deep into defense. The first-half would've been uneventful if not for the first controversial event of the night. Jonjo Shelvey and Jonny Evans clashed for the ball, and with that challenge, Shelvey was sent off. On his way to the tunnel, Shelvey even had some bad words to say for Sir Alex Ferguson.

Shelvey made a dangerous challenge against Evans, granting him a send-off

Image retrieved from the Daily Mail UK

While pundits expected United to start taking over the game after Liverpool was left with ten men, the contrary happened come second-half. In blitz fashion, Gerrard puts his side on the lead with a crack goal at the 46th minute. The goal proved too early for the Merseysiders, as United pulled one back five minutes later, when Rafael made a good run to the penalty box and curled a fantastic goal. 

Liverpool, despite the manpower disadvantage, still proved too strong for the red Mancunians, but it was another controversial decision that would give United the win. Valencia fell down after a challenge by Glen Johnson inside the box, after which referee Mark Halsey pointed to the spot, despite protests from both Liverpool players and the Anfield crowd. Robin van Persie took the penalty and sank the winning goal. Liverpool continued to race for goals but weren't able to find one.

Gerrard picks up the pace and sinks in the opener for his team barely a minute into the second-half

Image retrieved from the Daily Mail UK

Rafael looks on as his curler goes past Reina and getting inside the net

Image retrieved from the Daily Mail UK

Not much can be said of the United players in this one, as they all played dreadfully, for a lack of a better word. But key players stood out.

Rio Ferdinand had a bit of a injury scare early in the game but he was United's formidable wall in front of the goal, deflecting a lot of Liverpool's attempts. Along with Evans, Ferdinand proved a vital asset for United in this match.

Rafael had been a wild card on United's flank, and his raw nature proved crucial as he once again got on the score sheet.

Lindegaard was good at the goal tonight. Ferguson's goal-keeper rotation is getting a bit of frowns from some fan, but the frequent switcheroo between Lindegaard and De Gea proved not to be a burden for the former, who made a lot of great saves this match.

A lot of things could've gone wrong for United in this match, but, just as Paolo Coelho said of the Greece National Team when they progressed in the group stages of Euro 2012, the "gods of football" were watching the Red Devils tonight. To get all three points in a match where the opposition deserved a victory at least is very fortunate.

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