Liverpool vs Man Utd

Final score : 2-1
Scorer : Brown og, Babbel (Liv); Tevez (Man Utd)
Red Card : Vidic (Man Utd)
Man of the match : The Chief

GET IN! With a record of 7 losses and 1 draw in the league against Utd, Rafa Benitez finally managed to put one over Alex Ferguson. How ace is that?!

I have absolutely no confidence whatsoever going into this game. Too many times have I felt confident of a victory over United only to suffer big disappointments. So with Gerrard and Torres not fit for the game, I think my pessimism was fairly founded. I even have thought of the opening for this match report in advance, something along the line of ‘I don’t think I will live to see Liverpool win the league’. So glad I don’t have to use it.

It was a funny game this, with Utd players looked nervous and made a lot of mistakes despite leading with the Tevez’s goal as early as the third minute. I believe they were forced to make the mistakes by the combination of Liverpool pressing game and the lively energy from the crowd. The pace of the game was fast with little regard of tactics and game plans. Just a lot of running and passing and movement. Simple, as football should be.

Winning a game after going behind was VERY satisfying, especially against Utd. Tevez’s goal was a blessing in disguise for Liverpool. I’ve noticed in a few games when we were desperate for a goal, the big players will stand up and say ‘to hell with the game plan, I’m taking this game on my own’. And going by the second half performance, Benitez was forced to throw caution to the air as well because he simply can’t afford to let Utd win at Anfield again. This season is very important to Liverpool because if Utd won the league, they will equal Liverpool’s record of 18 league titles. If Liverpool can’t win the league themselves, they sure as hell won’t let Utd win it, and beating Utd at Anfield was the least that they can do. Credit to Benitez for his half time teamtalk as Liverpool went out all gun blazing.

Man of the match was The Chief. He was due a big performance for his ridiculous red card last season and he delivered, he played a blinder. He recovered well from his mistake early on in that Tevez’s goal to get the man of the match. And special mention to Carra, the captain of the day who as usual was a colossus in the heart of Liverpool defense.

Alex Ferguson said his greatest achievement wasn’t winning the treble in 1999. ‘My greatest achievement was knocking Liverpool off their fucking perch!’ Well he hasn’t done that just yet because Liverpool still hold the record for most League and European cup wins. This win tonight hopefully will make sure Ferguson will have to wait a while longer, or better yet this win will see his ambition goes up in smoke.

Tonight was a great win and I’m happy for Benitez. Hopefully with this win he will trusts his players more and let the players play. And hopefully the players themselves will gain much confidence and chucked off their inferiority complex when playing against Utd.

We beat Utd without Torres and Gerrard, we can beat anyone! Lets go on and show the league our true worth!