Liverpool	0 - 1	Man Utd
Booked Gerrard 33 Mascherano 63	Half Time ( 0 - 1 )	Scorers Tevez 43  Booked Evra 15 Anderson 33 Brown 36

Carlos Tevez proved to be the hero for United as Liverpool suffered their second successive league defeat and their first home reverse this season.

Rafa Benitez named an unchanged side for only the third time in his Anfield managerial career, knowing that qualification in the Champions League will mean little if his team doesn’t produce a sustained Premiership title challenge.

And the Reds made the better start to the game in a first-half which lacked flowing football from either side and desperately needed something to reduce the tension both teams showed. In response, United were playing the ball backwards in an attempt to take the pace out of the game.

Chances were seriously lacking and it wasn’t until nearly the first half hour had lapsed that the hosts came close to scoring with the game’s first real scoring opportunity. Jamie Carragher’s header highlighted some indecision in United’s defence. Patrice Evra cleared Harry Kewell’s effort off the line and a header from Fernando Torres went just wide.

Spurred on by United’s apparent vulnerability the Reds pushed forward again. And just minutes later, goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar misjudged Steven Gerrard’s free-kick and as the ball bounced off the head of the unknowing Rio Ferdinand, the visitors had Evra to thank again as he cleared from the disappointing Dirk Kuyt.

After weathering the brief but uninspiring storm, it was United who pushed forward as the half drew to a close. And after being under pressure, they took an unlikely lead by the interval.

Wayne Rooney was left glaringly unmarked from a corner. And when he hit the ball into the danger area, Tevez was on hand to score from six yards out.

It was cruel on Liverpool and although neither side were at their best, the Reds had been on top in a half largely forgettable and short of real action.

As the second-half began, Liverpool were expected to hit back straight away but failed to live up to expectations after recently destroying Marseille on French soil.

The game had settled more than the first 45 minutes but was a typically tight game between two closely matched sides. The hosts were still on top but there were few chances as the teams generally cancelled each other out, albeit in Liverpool’s final third.

As the half progressed, United looked more comfortable against a faltering Liverpool challenge. They rarely pressured up front but a disjointed Reds’ display meant they didn’t have as much to do as they should’ve had.

Benitez responded by bringing on Ryan Babel and Peter Crouch in an effort to find a goal. And Babel jumped on a poor header from Wes Brown to smack a shot just wide of the post from 25 yards as the Reds still couldn’t find a way through.

Rooney had an excellent chance to seal the points as the game wore on when a quick break and Cristiano Ronaldo cross gave him the perfect chance to score. But he failed to hit the target.

As the game neared the final whistle Liverpool continued to press for an equaliser but United deservedly held on for the three points. They couldn’t make their dominant possession tell as a number of poor individual performances let them down.

Victory lifts United into second place in the table and keeps them just a point behind Arsenal after the Gunners’ win over Chelsea. It was a solid performance by the Red Devils away from home and although they looked vulnerable, they showed they have enough quality in the team to secure a victory after taking the lead.

Liverpool are now 10 points off the top and remain in fifth place as their stuttering home form again holds them up against one of the Premiership’s best sides. Next weekend’s Anfield clash against Portsmouth is now a must-win game for the Merseyside team as they go into the festive period needing victories to keep up with the top four.


Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Hyypia, Carragher, Riise (Aurelio 80), Benayoun, Gerrard, Mascherano, Kewell (Babel 65), Torres, Kuyt (Crouch 73).

Subs Not Used: Itandje, Lucas.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo, Hargreaves, Anderson (O'Shea 90), Giggs, Rooney, Tevez (Carrick 83).

Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Saha, Fletcher.

Att: 44,459

Ref: M Halsey (Lancashire).

By Ben Hughes