Vidic slumps as Liverpool soar

United defender is dismissed on afternoon to forget

Last updated: 14th March 2009

Vidic slumps as Liverpool soar

Gerrard inspired Liverpool to win

Man of the match: Fernando Torres was always causing problems for Manchester United's defence.

Effort of the match: Michael Carrick failed to shine for Manchester United but his rasping effort from long-range nearly caused Jose Reina a problem.

Save of the match: Jose Reina did well to gather the ball after 75 minutes as Carlos Tevez looked to strike.

Goal of the game: Andrea Dossena's late chip was brilliant as he sealed a fantastic win for Liverpool.

Talking Point: Can Liverpool now go on and win the Premier League?


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On a day when Liverpool badly needed a win Nemanja Vidic endured a miserable afternoon, as Rafa Benitez's side came away from Old Trafford with a stunning 4-1 victory over Manchester United that reignites the title race.

An enthralling contest in Manchester saw Vidic badly at fault as he was responsible for Fernando Torres' goal in the first half and was sent-off in the second.

Inevitably it was Torres and Steven Gerrard at the hub of a victory that reduces United's lead at the Premier League summit to four points, albeit with a game in hand, and will give Liverpool belief - if not conviction - that a 19-year wait for the title could be sated this season.

A Cristiano Ronaldo penalty after 23 minutes had United supporters revelling in their rivals' misery but it was a lead that lasted just five minutes as Torres capitalised on a rare Vidic error to equalise.

Gerrard picked himself up from the ground to dispatch a penalty after he was fouled by Patrice Evra to give his side the lead going into half-time, before Vidic saw red for a professional foul on Liverpool's skipper after the break.

From the resulting free-kick, with 13 minutes left on the clock, Fabio Aurelio bent a sumptuous effort past a crestfallen Edwin van der Sar.

United's woes were exacerbated in the final minute when Liverpool substitute Andrea Dossena lobbed a sublimely taken fourth over van der Sar.

Massive win

Saturday's success represents Liverpool's biggest win at United since 1936 and could yet trigger an amazing championship revival.

Liverpool were the ones who needed the win and there appeared an extra sharpness about them from the start, especially Torres who gave the Red Devils defence a torrid time.

Once Jamie Carragher had recovered his composure after being unsettled by a late switch to right-back because of Alvaro Arbeloa's late withdrawal, they had the edge in vital areas, the hosts no better than their nervy first-half display against Inter Milan in midweek.

Indeed, it was a surprise when United went ahead.

Pepe Reina read Carlos Tevez's through ball for Park Ji-sung well enough but came out too quickly for his own good. When the South Korean nicked the ball away, the Liverpool keeper could not stop.

And though Reina pleaded for leniency, referee Alan Wiley correctly pointed to the spot.

Ronaldo is not the type of player to waste such opportunities and duly dispatched his 17th goal of the season.

Had Sir Alex Ferguson's men been able to hold their advantage for a decent length of time, the visitors might have panicked. But five minutes later Liverpool were level thanks to a rare mistake from Vidic.

The Serbian has been virtually foot perfect this season, so much so that he is favourite to win the PFA player of the year award.

But first Vidic let Martin Skrtel's long punt forward bounce when he could have headed it back into the Liverpool half quite easily. Then, he failed to deal with the loose ball, allowing Torres to nip in and streak clear, beating van der Sar with clinical efficiency.

Conceding one goal was amazing enough for the Red Devils, yet before half-time Liverpool had scored again.

Hull City were the last team to score more than once against United in Premier League combat - and that was four-and-a-half months ago.

But when Torres tried to send Gerrard racing into the box and Evra mis-timed his tackle, the Liverpool skipper converted his penalty with the same confidence Ronaldo had shown earlier.

Gerrard glee

Gerrard's glee was obvious. And Liverpool's lead was fully deserved, condemning Ferguson to his first interval rallying call in league combat at Old Trafford all season.

The Scot injected a greater sense of urgency into his team, even if there was no improvement in their retention of the ball.

Michael Carrick in particular was having a pretty bad day, twice putting his side in danger with wayward passes.

United at least managed to generate some momentum, with Tevez almost getting on the end of a Wayne Rooney knock-back and then rolling a shot on the turn just wide.

Having expressed his 'hatred' of Liverpool earlier in the week, the last thing Rooney wanted was to suffer an immediate defeat and a chance for Gerrard - a long-time friend - to gloat.

Yet as time ticked by, that was the fate Rooney was condemned to, especially as Ferguson waited until less than 20 minutes remained before he made the introductions of Dimitar Berbatov, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs.

Triple substitution

It is the kind of strength Benitez does not have and one of the major reasons why Liverpool have found themselves on the wrong end of a 14-point swing in fortunes since United returned from their Club World Cup campaign in Japan just before Christmas.

What Liverpool have managed to do this season is beat Chelsea and United, against both of whom they have now registered 'doubles'.

Any hope United had, evaporated within a minute of Ferguson's spectacular triple substitution as another woeful first touch, again from Vidic, left the Serbian little alternative other than to haul down Gerrard.

For the second successive game against Liverpool, it brought Vidic a red card and he was still making his way down the tunnel when Aurelio curled home a superb free-kick.

And Liverpool were not finished as Dossena lobbed van der Sar to complete a memorable win, whose significance remains unknown.

Manchester UnitedTeam StatisticsLiverpool
1Goals4
11st Half Goals2
3Shots on Target5
7Shots off Target3
7Blocked Shots1
10Corners3
14Fouls16
3Offsides2
2Yellow Cards3
1Red Cards0
80.3Passing Success74.2
18Tackles32
83.3Tackles Success71.9
55Possession45
55.6Territorial Advantage44.4

Comments (34)

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James Buckett says...

To Russell Collier (Liverpool fan) just a quick one take a look at the league table Man Utd are four points clear NOT Liverpool?

Posted 21:33 15th March 2009

Chuck Gabriel (Manchester United fan) says...

This is not surprising, however you only have to fall before you can get up. This is good for the league otherwise it will just be a replica of the Scottish league where the league is just predictable. Well done Liverpool but don't get carried away. The battle has just begun.

Posted 21:02 15th March 2009

Lee Cowley says...

Credit where credit is due, Liverpool were fantastic and thoroughly deserved their win. There is no taking it away from them, once Liverpool take the lead then they are one of the best around at holding it. But lets put things in perspevtive, United did not turn up and deserved to lose. A performance like that from United was long over due and it will get rid of the complacency that no matter how much they deny it may have been creeping in. One thing is for sure though Fergie will give them a stern warning and United will push on from this, as they always do.

Posted 20:14 15th March 2009

Michel Bougeard (Manchester United fan) says...

Whilst I have to admit that on the day it seemed that Liverpool wanted the win more than United, I am at a loss to understand why Liverpool's goalkeeper, Pepe Reina, was not sent off for the foul on Park. It seemed no different to me to the foul that led to Kuszczak being sent off against Portsmouth last season. The only thing that I can think of is that maybe the referee had taken heed of the Benitez Rants.

Posted 14:00 15th March 2009

Clive Jones (Manchester United fan) says...

Well done to Liverpool, they took their chances. Our defense had a bad day, they were so good since our last defeat, this is just a wake up call. Let's go on and win the league now!

Posted 14:00 15th March 2009

Jamie F (Liverpool fan) says...

What a win, though as much as I hate to admit it, I stil believe United will regain the title, this is just a consolation Liverpool fans deserve for our Up and down season Liverpool for the league!

Posted 11:31 15th March 2009

Andy Who (Manchester United fan) says...

Well done Liverpool. Never thought I'd ever say that!!!

Posted 11:27 15th March 2009

Rob Godwin (Manchester United fan) says...

United were an absolute disgrace. They made an average overrated Liverpool side look like world beaters, which is hardly the truth by any means. For United to lose 4-1 on their home patch against Liverpool is enexcusable. This defeat has been coming for a couple of weeks after a string of sloppy performances and lets hope from a United point of view that this humiliation has given the players the kick up the backside which has been so badly needed. Well done Liverpool for taking their chances but I hope United meet them in the Champions League so they can put them in their place.

Posted 10:58 15th March 2009

Andy Williams (Manchester United fan) says...

Can I just say that all those people blaming vidic should get off his back, he's been our best player this season, the whole team is to blame they were awful yesterday and deserved to get thumped! But hopefully it will indeed be a much needed wake up call that winning the league isn't going to be a procession. Hopefully we will repeat the run like the one that's just come to an end and prove we are the best team in the world! Also as much as it pains me to say, well played Liverpool but I think that will be your highlight of the season.

Posted 10:36 15th March 2009

Galin Zhelev (Manchester United fan) says...

It is thanks to Vidic that Man Utd are in the driving seat to take all the top three thopries. He had a bad day, forget it! Move on, champions!

Posted 10:17 15th March 2009

Richard Pilkington (Manchester United fan) says...

As a United fan obviously disappointed with the result but lets give credit were credit is due to Liverpool who to my mind on the day were fresher, more powerful and stronger than United who in all honesty played liked a tired team. Perhaps the additional games United have had to play this season is now taking its toll and with this in mind they were definitely placed at a further disadvantage by the timing of this match and the fact that they had a day less to recover after the midweek matches which seems unfair.

Posted 09:46 15th March 2009

Jason Bowditch (Manchester United fan) says...

I think that Man Utd were unlucky to be beaten so badly. Yeah, we made silly mistakes at the back, but i think if Man Utd could have converted one of the chance which didn't sit nicely for the strikers then we could be looking at a different result. I think Torres played amazingly, he kept cutting us apart with his pace and skill. Liverpool have just awakened a sleeping giant, we'll come back strong! I feel sorry for fulham, cos they'll get the backlash. . . . .

Posted 06:58 15th March 2009

Paul Lewis (Liverpool fan) says...

Great win! Well done lads.....now give Rafa the money so he can go build a good strong squad to win trophies. 5m pound players wont win us the league!

Posted 04:12 15th March 2009

Barry Manning (Liverpool fan) says...

Well done Liverpool. Man United sorry but Liverpool will remain the most successful club in England.

Posted 01:50 15th March 2009

Gary Jones (Manchester United fan) says...

After watching the game all of Liverpools goals were gifted to them through very sloppy defending, especially from the usually reliable Nemanja Vidic. Going forward United created chances and should have scored to equalise 2-2 but tevez could'nt slot away. All credit to Liverpool for the finishing of thier goals, but this was a day when Manu were incredibly sloppy but we'll bounce back and take home all the Cups KINGS OF ENGLAND AND EUROPE ONCE MORE

Posted 23:16 14th March 2009

Sultan Butt (Manchester United fan) says...

Some fans are absolutely ridiculous! One bad performance and they're on Vidic's back like he's lost us all 3 remaining trophies. Although Liverpool played well, they weren't by far the better team, the loss was mainly down to a few defensive errors. United had the ball a lot more, but the final pass was lacking, and, as someone who expected Carrick to control the game, i was thoroughly disappointed with his performance. If anything, this loss gives the United players some more desire to wrap up the title, seeing as the lead has loosened. Still expect United for the League and FA Cup though, but Champions League remains in the balance, and depends a lot on the draw.

Posted 22:20 14th March 2009

Darren Daly (Manchester United fan) says...

Well what can you say about that performance from UTD?? well I for one can say its the worst performance that i have watched from a UTD team for a long time, (and thats saying something) they just didnt turn up. Liverpool out played them on several fronts, and wanted the game more. UTD will bounce back of that i'm sure. Enjoy whilst it lasts Liverpool you deserved it. (but its the only thing you will win this season)

Posted 21:15 14th March 2009

Sam Stewart (Liverpool fan) says...

Great result and a great week for Liverpool. Everyone keeps on saying that Real Madrid and Utd played badly against us.... More credit should go to our 2 holding midfielders! Mascherano & Alonso/Lucus bossed the midfield and made these two world class teams look ordinary.

Posted 20:58 14th March 2009

Elizabeth Mcgoldrick (Liverpool fan) says...

A super "week" for Liverpool, they can capitalise on the remaining Premiership games with raised momentum, self belief and confidence. I wouldn't like to be in the United dressing room afterwards. The question some people will be asking now is whether United will be getting a touch of the "jitters" over the next few Premiership games.

Posted 20:04 14th March 2009

Abhinandan Sahu (Manchester United fan) says...

I think United lost at the correct time of the season. This is the time to buckle up for the league and other important matches. This will work as a heads up for our lads. Liverpool were awesome no doubt but with such poor back it was very difficult to build on something. Just a bad day in books. Vidic, its not over till its over.

Posted 19:48 14th March 2009
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