Liverpool have currently knocked each Manchester clubs out of cup competitions within the house of 4 days, that counts as success in these components regardless of the league state of affairs. Last week Kenny Dalglish was scathing of his players' efforts in losing to lowly Bolton Wanderers, now the smile was back, a minimum of till he was asked an issue regarding the Liverpool fans' constant booing of Evra.
"It was an amazing effort from our players, particularly when what they went through on Wednesday night against Manchester town," Dalglish said. "It was exhausting to be asked to play an early kick-off on a Saturday at the moment however the commitment and therefore the effort were fantastic."
Sir Alex Ferguson felt defeat was exhausting to require, particularly as there was a suggestion (not proven) of offside regarding the winning goal. "I haven't seen a replay nonetheless however you do not continually get choices here anyway," the United manager said. "We never got something from the referee. I felt we have a tendency to dominated the sport and a minimum of deserved a replay, though i used to be still making an attempt to win it at the tip – that is why I place Javier Hernández on. we have a tendency to played well, hit a post – it's exhausting to believe we have a tendency to lost after we were therefore comfy."
Before considering the soccer, what there was of it, you'll be desirous to fathom the chanting. Liverpool clearly won the amount contest. there have been much more folks singing: "There's only 1 lying bastard," than were rejoining with: "There's only 1 racist bastard."
In terms of originality, the house fans gave full voice to their new slogan of "We're not racists, we have a tendency to solely hate Mancs", however were surprised into one thing approaching silence midway through the primary [*fr1] when the United support at the Anfield Road finish came back with: "You're continually the victim, it's never your fault." A score draw, perhaps. Dalglish said it had been nothing however friendly banter, that created you marvel what would strike the Liverpool manager as unpleasant.
With all the pre-match discussion specializing in Evra's participation, United's goalkeeping state of affairs had been overlooked, Ferguson sprang a surprise by selecting this high-profile encounter to reintroduce David de Gea to first-team duties. it had been not a choice that paid off.
Liverpool began to crowd out the young goalkeeper at corners and took the lead when twenty one minutes when Steven Gerrard swung one over from the left and De Gea came for the ball however found himself blocked by Andy Carroll, leaving Daniel Agger a simple header.
United had begun the match trying the a lot of threatening, with Antonio Valencia hanging a post when a decent run, though till the primary goal there was very little except for the rivalry between fans to quicken the heartbeat and nearly no probability of the occasion being remembered for the soccer, as had been the would like of each managers beforehand.
Playing with solely Carroll up front Liverpool rarely bothered De Gea except for set items, and though United conjointly lacked their usual attacking edge within the absence of Wayne Rooney they managed to induce into the sport with a well-worked goal before the interval. Antonio Valencia sent Rafael da Silva racing down the correct with a backheel flick and, though José Enrique was still favorite to achieve the ball 1st, the United full-back took on his opposite variety and delivered an occasional cross, met perfectly at the close to post by Park Ji-sung with a firm end that shocked Pepe Reina.
Liverpool had an charm for a penalty turned down at the beginning of the second [*fr1] when Chris Smalling stumbled within the space and perceived to place his hand on the ball in falling, then a second later a rare probability fell Danny Welbeck's manner and he did not cash in, pushing the ball past Reina towards an empty goal however not firmly enough to stop Martin Skrtel arriving to tidy up behind his goalkeeper.
Charlie Adam came on for the last half-hour and immediately offered a a lot of direct threat than Jamie Carragher had managed from defensive midfield, launching a high cross meant to check De Gea and presumably gaining encouragement when the goalkeeper fumbled it to concede another corner. When Gerrard tried an equivalent tactic from an analogous distance it had been clear Liverpool had been instructed to play on De Gea, though the Liverpool captain left the sphere shortly afterwards, creating manner for Craig Bellamy.
Just when it looked like the afternoon would finish during a tame draw, Liverpool struck. Carroll beat Jonny Evans to induce his head to a high ball, the knockdown fell ideally for Kuyt, and therefore the Dutch substitute lost no time in burying an attempt beyond the exposed De Gea. a minimum of no blame connected to the goalkeeper for the winning goal, though he may need been embarrassed had Carroll added another before the tip, rather than hitting the bar.
"That's Dirk's fiftieth goal for Liverpool, and he is scored it against Manchester United, therefore it is a nice day for him," Dalglish said. "It's been an excellent week for us within the finish, even supposing it started therefore badly at Bolton. we have a tendency to are within the Carling Cup final and therefore the next spherical of the FA Cup, and though i used to be important of the players every week ago, full credit to them for obtaining back heading in the right direction with 2 very massive wins."
