March 14th, 2009 
Lovely Liverpool revived their ambitions of claiming the Premier League title in remarkable fashion as they humiliated champions Manchester United at Old Trafford. It show that the race for the Premier League title is back on course for Liverpool and Chelsea.
Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring from the spot, before Fernando Torres and a Steven Gerrard penalty ensured a half-time lead for Liverpool. And whe Nemanja Vidic was shown red for a cynical foul on Gerrard, Fabio Aurelio stroked home the free-kick before a late Andrea Dossena lob put the icing on the cake. Things didn’t start well for Benitez, with Alvaro Arbeloa injured before kick-off and replaced by Sami Hyypia. Jamie Carragher switched to right-back and was immediately tested by Wayne Rooney down the flank. Man United started quickly, with Carlos Tevez, Ronaldo and Ji-Sung Park linking up well. But Liverpool had the pace of Torres on the break, with the striker testing Vidic from the outset.
Gerrard then began to press forward, with Vidic and Edwin van der Sar combining to scramble a clearance. Torres then skipped past Ferdinand and was just about to shoot when Vidic came across to make a vital tackle. But for all their endeavour, it was Man United who took the lead on 23 minutes. Tevez was the orchestrator, threading a pass through for Park who was bundled over by Pepe Reina. Ronaldo then stepped up to fire home from the spot. But with the Old Trafford fans goading their visitors about the title, Liverpool were level within five minutes. A long ball up field from Skrtel was allowed to bounce by Vidic, with Torres capitalising on the rare mistake to fire past Van der Sar.
The two sides then continued to par, before a second spot kick gave Liverppol the lead at half time. Gerrard was cropped in the box by Patrice Evra, with the skipper dusting himself down to fire home the penalty. Ferguson resisted the temptation to make a change at half-time, and almost reaped the benefits when Ronaldo’s cross-shot hit a post. Lucas brought down Rooney to present the Portuguse with a long-range free-kick which bounced through to Reina. With 15 minutes to go Ferguson brought on Ryan Giggs for Carrick, but seconds later his side were a man and another goal down. Vidic brought down Gerrard running through on goal, and was promptly shown red for being the last man. And Aurelio stepped up and curled a left-foot beauty past Van der Sar to extend the lead.
Man United then tried to show some late fight, before another long ball gave Dossena the chance to lob the keeper which he did in style. But Man United remain firm favourites to claim the Premier League, with a four-point advantage and a game in hand, but if Liverpool needed any incentive to continue to carry the fight to Man United, the impressive manner of this performance will have provided it. It has been a dream week for Rafael Benitez’s side, with both Real Madrid and Man United put to the sword with four goal performances. As well throwing themselves a title lifeline, Liverpool’s outstanding display will have given added pleased to Benitez after his public attack on Man United boss Ferguson earlier in the season brought him much criticism.
Liverpool, once they found their feet, were the brighter and more creative side with the magnificent Torres the spearhead, ably assisted by Gerrard. Man United, in contrast, were lifeless in all areas. They were unsettled at the back and toothless up front with both Ronaldo and Rooney unable to make their presence felt. Ferguson marched grim faced to the tunnel at the final whiste in an almost deserted stadium, while the normally impassive Benitez was wreathed in smiles as he congratulated his players. Man United must now bounce back from a defeat that was unexpected, both in style and scoreline, while Liverpool will move forward with renewed optimism that they can yet over-turn the odds and catch the pace-setters.
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