The Titanic clash of the Reds at Anfield. Victory beckoned.

Billed as the game that could really decide the future of Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez, with Owen coming back to Anfield for the first time since his move to the Red Devils. The game started off brightly. With both teams intent on attacking, it was a visual treat to begin with. The atmosphere at Anfield is something that you could only believe inside the Kop. Noise and Cheer can fill your ears for an entire night of celebration.

The game was open and ball kept being passed equally well by both the teams. The first quarter of an hour did not see any exceptional opportunities. On 15th minute, Evra went into a lunge on Torres from behind. This earned the french man a yellow card and a free kick for Liverpool just outside the box. Aurelio stepped over it and sent it in a dipping effort that brought Van der Sar into 2 full stretch saves. He somehow managed to hold onto the corner that resulted from it. Then Kuyt should have scored in the 18th minute. Lucas did well to make that pass on the right hand side of goal mouth. Kuyt's first touch did him away.

The 34th minute saw Carrick march almost unopposed into the Liverpool box. The captain Carragher moved in with a flying tackle which took the ball first and then took out the aggressor. The referee was right on the spot to not make any mistakes despite some penalty claims from the United players. Waving them away was the right
choice. On the 36th minute, Benayoun held the ball and chipped in a lovely cross across the face of the goal. Aurelio met the ball with a good downward header but the big dutch man was able to collect it on his toes. This was one good opportunity and Aurelio could have tried to shoot with his feet instead of the header. Somehow Patrice Evra had been kept quite in the first half of this game. I consider him one of their biggest attacking threats with a lot of intelligent and positional play.

The talking point for the half time was a rather crude tug on Kuyt from Berbatov. That was a clear penalty and should have been awarded with blind eyes. But referees are generally aware of the backlash that they get from Fergie. They prefer to be on the right side of Fergie's law, the soccer laws can always differ.

The second half did not see any dampening effects on the game. The 49th minute saw Benayoun slip Kuyt on the right and he sent in a cross back to Benayoun who did not expect it. Else it should have been a first time effort on goal. Vidic brought down Torres for the umpteenth time. He knows what its like to try and stop him by legal means. There should be nightmares embedded in his psyche since Torres took past him for that goal at Old Trafford last season. Kuyt then sent Torres on the right side keeping him onside. The spaniard tried to pick out Aurelio on the far post but was way off the mark with his attempt.

Lucas himself walked closer to a booking with another foul on Rooney. However, the fact that he is never harsh always works in his favor. None of those ankle crunching tackled are made by the Brazilian anyway. The resulting free-kick was cleared by Torres even though the flag had gone off. It was good to see Torres doing his defensive duties. United got a corner from a free-kick awarded for a Mascherano challenge on Valencia.

Celebrations were not too far way from the Kop going by this performance. Benayoun slips in a clever pass which Torres took past the rushing Ferdinand. Then he held off the challenge from the United center-back till the ball went flying into the net. That was a typical Torres goal. Racing just about the right time and then giving Ferdinand not a single look at the ball. That was Liverpool 1 - 0 Man Utd.

Fergie sent on Michael Owen and Nani to strengthen the attack. Owen must have heard them loud and clear. Boos from all over the stadium. He should know what it takes to be a Liverpool legend and then move over to Old Trafford. Benayoun should have then scored from an excellent position. He went for dribble instead of shooting. A shot might have just surprised the United goalkeeper.

Owen got into a tussle with Carragher and the Reds skipper was awarded a yellow card. Apart from that, a free-kick in a dangerous position. However Nani's effort was not fierce and went straight into Reina's arms. Then Vidic did what he does best. Not defend but obstruct. Kuyt had the ball clearly in sight and Vidic had him. A lunge and obstruct. Second Yellow. A red card for the Serbian. He is now getting used to them. They come to him naturally in these games against Liverpool. Benitez ended up sending Skrtel in place of Benayoun. That was to add numbers at the back.

There was time for Mascherano to pick up a second yellow and convert into a red for himself. It was a rather needless challenge on the United goalkeeper. But that was not to matter. The referees seem to forget the times when it is against Manchester United. And that allowed Ngog to steal in a second from some excellent midfield play. That was it. Now Fergie and his antics had no way back. Final Whistle. Liverpool 2 - 0 Manchester United.

The season looked bleak and may continue to do so. Who cares. We have done what we set out to. Manchester United with all their cribbing and attempts to manipulate the referee have found out it the hard way. Winning matches is not about those things. Its about scoring goals. Torres and Ngog did that for Liverpool. An excellent display from Mascherano, Kuyt and Benayoun. Gerrard - take care of yourself. We would welcome you back into this team whenever you feel like running on the pitch. Don't worry. We still love you as much as all these others.

You Will Never Walk Alone.