Pure delight for Rafa Benitez as he gets his first victory over Man United. But oh, what a nightmare start for him and Liverpool to this early season dream match-up. Before the home squad could even get their attacking feet under them, Manchester jump-started what would surely be a long day for Pepe Reina and the Reds.
1st Half
Just over 2 minutes into the game, Sir-guson's shiny new striker, Dimitar Berbatov, burst down the right edge of the box, past a pursuing Jamie Carragher and Fabio Aurelio. He fired a right-footed pass away from the keeper into the center of the penalty area, where a grateful Carlos Tevez made no mistake firing a blast over Martin Skrtel and past Pepe Reina into the goal. 3rd minute, 0-1 to the visitors.
Rafa had to be thinking, 'here we go again'. Manchester continued to look strong afterwards too. The first 25 minutes of the game belonged to the Red Devils in both attacking threat and ball control. Dirk Kuyt did have two early chances, with a volley that ended up just high, and again after Edwin Van der Sar dreadfully mishandled a Fabio Aurelio corner, and reached out to prevent Kuyt's follow up from going in.
Van der Sar's struggles continued and put an end to any momentum that Man U had in the 26th minute. A Xabi Alonso shot from 25 yards out was deflected from right to left into the penalty area, where Van der Sar rushed forward and slapped the ball right into the oncoming Wes Brown, the ball bouncing into the goal, just ahead of an eager Albert Riera.
The rest of the first half, United never could regain the control they had displayed early on. Aurelio, Alonso, and Mascherano worked the ball up from the midfield beautifully, maintaining good control and efficient passing. The mishandled balls and lack of confidence that have plagued Rafa's men in past meetings with Sir-guson and Co., were non-existent. Only a redirection by Tevez in the box, on a great ball by Anderson, that went far over the bar, signified any danger from the Man U attack. Wayne Rooney, who had turned Aurelio inside out early on, was becoming less and less of a factor.
2nd Half
All square at 1 at the half, the second half started with a flurry from Liverpool. The pace of the game had quickened, Benitez finally willing to open his team up against Man U. Riera made a great move on the left to get free, forcing Evra to dive in and force a corner. Aurelio and Riera looked dangerous on the left, alternating runs up the field and crossing with intent.
Liverpool just seemed to be winning all the battles. Skrtel pressed ahead and fired a shot after a good work up, but Van der Sar had good position and handled it easily. Kuyt, falling back up front from Keane, was getting to every ball in the midfield. Keane was bearing the load up front, occupying Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, and opening things up in the midfield. The introduction of a semi-fit Steven Gerrard and Ryan Babel into the game for Benayoun and Riera, only increased the Liverpool pressure.
With a firm grip on possession and Man U only looking dangerous on the counter, the home squad finally struck. Mascherano took on two men near the end line and won the ball to Kuyt on the right side o the box. Kuyt slid the ball towards the penalty spot, where super-sub, Babel, ran onto it and placed a shot up high for a 2-1 Liverpool lead.
Liverpool continued to look the better team from that point on. Moments after the goal, Vidic clearly stuck his leg out, taking out Keane, who would have been in all alone on Van der Sar. The ref, perhaps thinking Ferdinand could have made it back, spared Vidic with only a yellow card. Minutes after, Nani, who had come on for Anderson, took out Mascherano and a received a yellow, the Liverpool pressure obviously getting to a harried Man U squad.
In the 89th minute, the Red Devils hopes looked dim, as Vidic rammed into Alonso in mid air, attempting a late header. His second yellow of the day, saw him sent off. A foolish play, considering he will now miss the Chelsea clash, which could see Man U on 4 points after 4 games.
4 minutes of extra time were not enough as Liverpool won the game, 2-1.
Commentary
Nevermind my prediction of a 2-1 Liverpool win. Okay, mind it, it was pretty brilliant, or a stroke of optimistic luck, take your pick.
After the first 25 minutes, Liverpool dominated the run of play in this game. Man United did not look comfortable at all in midfield. Scholes and Carrick were outplayed in the midfield by Mascherano and Alonso. That is were the balance of the game was won. Manchester had poor transition from their backs and center midfield to their four attacking players in Berba, Tevez, Rooney, and Anderson.
While the Manchester work ups through midfield had little flow, Liverpool was smooth and controlling from end to end on the ball. Aurelio and Riera looked strong on the left, with the Spanish winger settling in after a rough start. Their attack was fueled with some great balls into the box by Aurelio, Mascherano, Alonso, and Riera. Kuyt did much of the hard work coming back, while Mascher did his usual superb job in killing attacks all over the pitch.
The result was a second half of sustained pressure, keeping Man U from getting anything consistent of offense. Man U has been on the losing end of games in the past couple of years where they outplayed the other squad and were burned on the counter. This was not one of those games. It is rare to see the Red Devils get outplayed, but today at Anfield, Liverpool were the better team.
Also, as promised, I will now think of a Ryan Babel/Rio chant, and have it ready for my player reviews tomorrow.
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