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Liverpool ended their worst sequence of results since
1987 and eased the pressure on manager Rafael Benitez in the most
satisfying manner possible as Manchester United were deservedly
beaten at Anfield.
Fernando Torres demonstrated his world class with a 65th-minute
opener, comfortably shrugging off the attentions of Rio Ferdinand
before powering an unstoppable finish high past United keeper Edwin
van der Sar at The Kop end.
And after United's Nemanja Vidic was sent off for the third
successive time against Liverpool and Javier Mascherano also saw
red in a thunderous finale, substitute David Ngog raced on to
Lucas's pass to wrap up a fully-merited victory.
Anfield was awash with ecstasy as goalkeeper Pepe Reina rushed
the length of the field to join the celebrations with Ngog - a sign
of what was riding on this result for Liverpool and manager
Benitez.
Reds boss Benitez entered this crucial game with spirits lifted
after managing director Christian Purslow added his weight to
co-owner George Gillett's message that his future is not under
threat.
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But it was the commitment and energy shown by Liverpool in the
face of four successive defeats that was always going to be the
most realistic measure of the current circumstances surrounding
Benitez.
And Liverpool delivered in emphatic fashion, backed by fervent
Anfield supporters who recognised Benitez had reached a pivotal
point in his five-year reign.
Liverpool held sway for most of a match that only occasionally
touched the heights, but the workload of the respective keepers
confirmed this was a victory well-earned by Benitez's side - and
which now leaves them only four points behind the Premier League
champions.
United mounted a late rally of sorts but Ngog's late goal gave
the scoreline a more realistic appearance.
And watching it all after a late cameo as substitute was Michael
Owen, returning to Anfield for the first time since joining United
and being subjected to a venomous reaction from Liverpool's
fans.
Owen was involved in the late drama as he was fouled by Jamie
Carragher with United trailing 1-0 and boss Sir Alex Ferguson felt
the Reds defender should have been shown a red card rather than
yellow.
It was perhaps the stroke of luck Liverpool have been missing
recently.
Events on the pitch, as ever, will ultimately dictate Benitez's
fate and United fans arrived at Anfield in the mood to revel in
Liverpool's current misfortune.
Eric Cantona masks and a succession of banners served as a
reminder that they now equal Liverpool's total of 18 league titles
- with beach balls thrown on to the Anfield turf to mock the manner
of Liverpool's defeat at Sunderland.
The Kop rallied behind Liverpool, who as expected were without
injured captain Steven Gerrard, and they responded with an
energetic first-half performance in which United keeper Van der Sar
was fully extended.
Van der Sar leapt brilliantly to claw out Aurelio's free-kick in
the 14th minute after Patrice Evra had been booked for his third
foul in quick succession - even recovering to keep out Kuyt's
effort from the rebound.
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Benitez delighted with victory
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Kuyt was guilty of missing Liverpool's best chance of a frantic
opening three minutes later when he failed to hit the target from
the angle after he was released by Lucas.
Valencia's pace was posing real problems for Liverpool left-back
Emiliano Insua, and he was the provider with a cross that saw Wayne
Rooney's header clutched by Reina in front of an anxious Kop.
Liverpool were rising to the challenge of ending their recently
dismal sequence, and Aurelio should have given them the lead 10
minutes before half-time, heading straight at Van der Sar from
Yossi Benayoun's cross.
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Benitez's side started well again after the break and Kuyt, his
confidence perhaps sapped by earlier failures in front of goal,
tried to set up Benayoun when the Netherlands striker would have
been better served trying to test Van der Sar.
The goal Liverpool craved eventually came - and from a
predictable source as Torres showed searing pace and clinical
finishing to shrug off the attentions of Ferdinand before lashing a
finish high past Van der Sar at The Kop end.
It was the signal for former Liverpool striker Owen to warm up,
and he was subjected to a torrid reception and cries of "Judas"
from the supporters who once idolised him.
Owen almost delivered the perfect answer to the taunts when he
set up Valencia, but his shot smashed against the bar from a tight
angle and United's last serious chance had gone.
There was still time for a frantic finish, with Vidic achieving
the unenviable feat of a third red card in three games against
Liverpool when he picked up a second yellow card for a foul on
Kuyt.
Mascherano joined him on the sidelines for a similar offence,
this time a late challenge on Van der Sar - but the final word was
left to Liverpool and youngster Ngog.
As United pressed forward in numbers, Liverpool broke and Ngog
finished with composure from Lucas's pass to set the seal on a day
that went almost perfectly to the script for besieged Benitez.
