Liverpool 3-1 Manchester United

Dirk Kuyt was the hero for Liverpool as he bagged a stunning hat-trick in a momentus 3-1 victory over Manchester United at Anfield today.

United suffered their third defeat of the season and with less than ten games still to play, the title race has well and truely been blown wide open.

In a game between two fierce rivals, Liverpool made their presence known from the very start and in the 34th minute they were rewarded for their persistence when new signing Luis Suarez glided past three United defenders and tee’d up Kuyt to score into an empty net.

United midfielder Nani produced some Sunday League style defending to gift Dirk Kuyt his second of the game just five minutes later. Nani rose to head a dangerous-looking Suarez’s cross from danger but instead he directed the ball perfectly into the path of Kuyt in the six-yard area for a simple tap-in.

Tempers began to flare as the half-time whistle loomed when both Jamie Carragher and Rafael were fortunate to escape with only yellow cards for cynical challenges.

Carragher’s mis-timed lunge on Nani before the break prompted a mass confrontation between both sets players before the winger had to be stretchered off.

When Liverpool’s inevitable third on 65 minutes came it was game over for Manchester United and it’s their keeper Edwin van der Sar who will have to take the majority of the blame.

Luis Suarez’s low free-kick was struck tamely in the Dutch keeper’s direction but the shot could only be fumbled – and once again Kuyt popped up unmarked to secure the three points with a poacher’s finish.

Liverpool saw off the last twenty minutes of the match with ease and even a Javier Hernandez consolation goal in stoppage time could not curb the early celebrations sweeping around Anfield at the final whistle.

Comments

comments