Report by Steve Horton at Old Trafford | |
Liverpool's league away troubles continued on Monday night as we slipped to defeat at arch rivals Manchester United. Despite rallying in the second half after a dismal first half display, we succumbed to two Mikael Silvestre headers as the Frenchman took advantage of some sloppy Reds defending.
Normally United-Liverpool games are held at midday, but surprise surprise Sky TV stepped in and moved this fixture when it became apparent that doing so would allow Rio Ferdinand to reinforce the home side's dodgy defence. Rio remembered to turn up, but the reality is he needn't have bothered given how we performed in the first half.
United came out all guns blazing with Christian Ronaldo actually getting some crosses and shots in as well as doing all his fancy flicks and turns. After just nine minutes his long range effort went beyond the reach of Jerzy Dudek and struck the post.
Three minutes later Van Niistelroy went down in the area after tangling with Sami Hyypia but Graham Poll refused to award a penalty. Referees have pointed to the spot for less but it was the last thing he'd do for us all night however.
We were offering very little up front, nicely spreading some passes around but not finding any real penetration. Djibril Cisse could have had a great chance in the first ten minutes but failed react quick enough and missed his kick. Our first shot of any significance was in the 25th minute when Josemi tried his luck from distance but it went well wide.
By then we were 1-0 down, United having took the lead in the 20th minute. We should have had a throw in but for some reason Poll awarded them a free kick. That is no excuse however for some poor marking that allowed Silvestre to ghost into the near post and head home past a static Dudek.
United didn't sit back and Van Niistelroy should have made it 2-0 soon after with a diving header but it went just over the bar. Ronaldo also volleyed wide and Gabriel Heinz forced a save from Dudek with a fine looping header.
All in all the Reds were lucky to go in just 1-0 down with the chance to rebuild. Cisse had been deprived of service up front and Harry Kewell was absolutely woeful, yet still appeared to have the nerve to criticise Riise for not defending properly on occasions.
The second half couldn't possibly have been worse than the first, but we had to face it without Steven Gerrard who had limped off in the 35th minute with what would later be revealed a broken bone in the foot.
We needn't have worried though as Dietmar Hamman effortlessly held the play together in the middle of the park and Xabi Alonso was a threat going forward. It led to a much improved performance right from the kick off.
Ten minutes into the second half we got our reward for the increased pressure in bizarre circumstances. Alonso swung a free kick in from the left which Steve Finnan headed back across goal and John O'Shea's fluffed clearance only rolled over his own goal line.
Despite it being an own goal, it didn't dampen the celebrations of fans or team as all ten outfield players celebrated in front of the corner of the east and south stands. Van Niistelroy wasn't pleased though, being the one person inside Old Trafford who thought the ball hadn't crossed the line. The horse featured one demanded a stewards enquiry by harassing the linesman but the linesman was having none of it.
It really lifted the Reds support who had been understandably muted in the first half, but thankfully never resorted to the Shipman chants that have plagued our recent visits to Manchester. Perhaps some have seen sense, or maybe the loyalty scheme has rooted out the scumbags but it was refreshing to see everyone backing the team none stop for a change.
Sadly some had switched their attentions to the death Brian Clough, booing when it was announced black armbands were being warn as a mark of respect. No matter what people think of him over his Hillsborough comments, anyone celebrating his passing is only lowering themselves to his level in disrespecting the dead.
For a brief period we then held the ascendancy but United took the lead thanks to more sloppy defending. We had lost possession going forward and ended up conceding a corner, from which Silvestre again rose unchallenged to head united into the lead. That one of the smallest players on the pitch scored from two headers leaves a lot of questions that need answers.
Liverpool huffed and puffed in the swirling wind of an equaliser but although United never looked like extending their lead, we didn't necessarily deserve a goal either. Alonso went the closest with an outrageous lob from the half way line that Carroll just about saved to avoid embarrassment.
Too often Cisse was caught offside and although some of the decisions were unfair, our record signing did little to show he is worth anywhere near £14 million. Replacing him with Milan Baros helped a little, but he still didn't have too much support, with Luis Garcia being a bit lost after some great recent performances.
With United being in the lead we were surprisingly given three minutes of added time. We had a golden chance to level when awarded a free kick 25 yards out, which Hamman wasted by shooting well wide. The home fans then celebrated with a rousing chorus of "Build a bonfire" which must have made Croxteth's fat granny shagger feel really welcome.
Despite the defeat we could certainly leave Old Trafford with our heads held up. This is going to be a transitional season and the second half commitment showed the team care and can provide occasional flashes of brilliance.
The fact Ferdinand was given man of the match by Sky showed we must have been doing something right. Although the defensive lapses were glaring I'm sure given time Rafael Benitez will correct them. It's never nice to lose to your fiercest rivals but this was one defeat I could actually stomach, just.
Liverpool: Dudek, Josemi, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise; Finnan, Gerrard (Hamman), Alonso, Kewell; Garcia, Cisse (Baros).
Agree or disagree? Email me at steve@liverpoolway.co.uk
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