LIVERPOOL DEFEATED Manchester United (Man Utd) 2-1 in one of its most combustible rivalries in the Anfield stadium on Saturday (September 13). Though the difference is only of one goal, Rafael Benitez, the Liverpool manager is probably the happiest person after defeating the champions.

Man Utd started well as its Argentine striker, Carlos Tevez scored the first goal in the 3rd minute, stunning the entire stadium. But it was balance as Wes Brown ’scored’ a self goal in the 27th minute. The torrid beginning by Sir Alex Ferguson’s boys received a jolt by this unexpected incident that really left its supporters worried. And the turning point of the match began here. Both sides became aggressive, which was countered by the referee H Webb in a harsh way. In the first half, there were attacks and counter attacks from both sides, but the score board did not show any change.

Ferguson had to pick up Michael Carrick in the 45th minute as he received an ankle injury and placed Ryan Giggs as a substitute. The second half of the match had a dramatic end. Man Utd’s speed faced another blockade when Tevez was charged with a yellow card as he committed a foul against Alvaro Arbeloa. Finding no other way, the Man Utd manager withdrew Scholes in the 65th minute and got Hargreaves to bring a change. Subsequenlty, Benitez also got in Gerrard as a substitute of Benayoun in the 67th minute.

 But that was not the end of Benitez’s strategy to combat Man Utd force. After picking up Riera, he rightly included Babel in the 71st minute, who scored the valued goal in the 76th minute. Van der Sar, the giant goalie of Man Utd could not save the powerful shot that came from Babel.

The fate of Man Utd could not be turned positive even by Nani’s presence for the last twelve minutes as a replacement of Anderson. Even, Nani’s seemingly aggressiveness led to a yellow card. Nemanja Vidic, the Man Utd player who had already got a yellow card, got the second one and consequently charged with red card for crashing his arm into Alonso’s face in the 89th minute. He will not be playing the next match against Chelsea on September 21.

Though Ferguson’s boys played fast throughout the match, but Benitez’s squad had more possession over the ball. Kuyt and Mascherano played well left the spectators impressed. Benitez again brought a last time change by getting in Sami Hyypia in the 86th minute as Mascherano received an ankle injury.