Liverpool Win Critical EPL Clash

Torres Inspires Victory Against Man United

For Liverpool, this was a match which could have brought disaster on a season which began with so much promise. After 4 consecutive defeats - their worst run of results since 1987 - the pressure on manager Rafa Benitez was immense.

A game against the current Premiership champions Manchester United was suddenly imbued with an even greater significance than usual. A fifth defeat in a row would have put another nail in the coffin of their season.

Liverpool Lack Depth in Their Squad

More questions had been raised about the lack of depth in the Liverpool squad, and doubts surrounded their ability to perform when their 2 star players, Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, were missing.

In the event, Liverpool outplayed their opponents and just about deserved their victory. Roared on by a passionate Anfield crowd, who poured vitriol on former Liverpool star Michael Owen whenever he got near the ball, they fought for every inch and even in the absence of talismanic skipper Gerrard, they managed to pick up a precious 3 points. Despite suffering from an abdominal injury, Fernando Torres was asked to play from the start, and it was his world-class ability that made the difference.

Fernando Torres Goal

In the 64th minute, Torres latched onto a through-ball from the lively Yossi Benayoun, before shrugging off the challenge of Rio Ferdinand and blasting the ball high into the net, beyond the helpless Edwin Van Der Sar. Once again, Ferdinand looked short of pace and short of confidence, and far from his best.

Before and after this though, the match was becoming increasingly fractious, and United had Nemanja Vidic sent off for the third time in as many games against Liverpool. Vidic always seems to struggle against the pace of Torres, and a series of fouls brought his first booking, before a cynical tackle on Dirk Kuyt earned him his marching orders.

But if Liverpool hoped to capitalise on their numerical advantage, a series of niggly challenges from Javier Mascherano soon leveled the numbers for both teams, as he also picked up 2 yellow cards.

Alex Ferguson Questions Referee

As the game wore on, and Manchester United pressed forward in search of an equaliser, they left space at the back, and it fell to the much maligned David N'Gog to break away and seal the points with a straightforward finish.

Manchester United manager sir Alex Ferguson was not in the mood to accept defeat graciously, suggesting that Liverpool had received a number of favourable decisions from the referee. In particular, he suggested that Jamie Carragher should have been sent off for a foul on Michael Owen, as well as wondering whether he may have conceded a penalty for a tackle on Michael Carrick.

Liverpool Season Remains in the Balance

Ultimately though, this was was a match which Liverpool simply could not afford to lose, and in a clash between 2 of the biggest names in European football, it was the home side who went away happy. What effect this will have on the rest of their season, remains to be seen.