Liverpool: Robin van Persie's penalty kick gave Manchester United a 2-1 victory over 10-man Liverpool on Sunday, settling a heated Premier League meeting between the fierce rivals after emotional tributes were paid to the Hillsborough disaster victims. Van Persie beat Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina in the 81st minute after Antonio Valencia was fouled by Glen Johnson.
Jonjo Shelvey’s red card with six minutes until half-time threatened to derail the attacking dominance that Brendan Rodgers’ side possessed for the first 40 minutes, but Steven Gerrard's volley propelled them into the lead in the first minute of the second half. The visitors responded with an immediate equaliser - right-back Rafael curling a corker into the top corner from the right inside the box.
Buoyed by a rousing rendition of 'You'll Never Walk Alone' in memory of the 96 footballs fan who died at Hillsborough 23 years ago after the club had finally been absolved of blame for the incident, Liverpool were by far the stronger team from kick-off. Suarez forced Anders Lindegaard into an early save from close range then an unmarked Steven Gerrard made the site-netting ripple with a low shot from a vleverly-worked corner.
Home team's attacking continued as United's passing accuracy plummeted - Suarez was at the centre of most moves and gave centre-backs Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans a torrid time. The home side suffered a set-back on the 39-minute mark though when Shelvey was sent off for a lunging, studs-up challenge on Evans. It was a reckless challenge that undoubtedly deserved a card, though many would argue it only merited a yellow.
If any Reds supporters were worried that their team would lessen their grip on the game, those fears was temporarily dispelled when Gerrard chested down 15 yards from goal and rifled a volley home, cuing scenes of jubilation around Anfield. However, Rafael showed why United should never be underestimated regardless of a poor performance, curling sublimely into the top left-hand corner to level the scoring five minutes after the opener.
Paul Scholes - a half-time change for the anonymous Nani - helped bring stability and passing sensibility to a midfield which lacked mobility in the first half. Suarez, an energetic force throughout, forced a super save to Lindegaard’s right with a low effort not long after and substitute Suso fired marginally over inside the 18-yard box.
But the home side’s hopes were dashed when Glen Johnson clattered into the back of Antonio Valencia in a United counterattack and gave away a penalty in the visitors’ favour.
Having missed from the spot at Southampton earlier this season, Van Persie made no mistake in scoring United’s eventual winner by driving to the right as goalkeeper Pepe Reina got a hand on it could not tip it wide.
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