Liverpool Defeated Manchester Untied 4-1 in Premier League

(This entry was originally published on Sunday, March 15th, 2009)

It was a ‘do or die’ match for Liverpool. A defeat at the hands of leader Manchester Untied would have ended their title hope yesterday, but the Reds clinched a 4-1 inspirational victory over the host Untied, and thus, revitalizing their title hopes. Manchester United still holds a 4-point lead at the top of the table with a match in hand. With this victory, Liverpool moved to the second place in the league with 61 points from 29 games. Chelsea could catch Liverpool if they can win their home league fixture against Manchester City today.

This has been Liverpool’s first win at Old Trafford in five years and also first under manager Rafael Benitez. For United, the 4-1 margin has been their heaviest defeat since 1992 when they lost to Queens Park Ranger by the same margin. Manchester Untied took lead in the match when Cristiano Ronaldo scored from penalty in the first half. Fernando Torres took little time to bring out an equalizer for the visitors. Gerrard put Liverpool ahead in the match scoring from a penalty just before the half time.

Manchester United started off strongly in the second half with full of attacking intent, but they failed to score an equalizer. Rather, Liverpool scored the third goal thanks to Fabio Aurelio before Andrea Dossen made it 4-1. Manchester United is still in the right track to defend the premier league title, but the defeat by such a big margin against one of their fierce rivals might count on their confidence. Liverpool, on the other hand, seems to be full of confidence and seems to be in good shape to make an all out effort to clinch their first premier league title in 19 years.

Manchester United vs Liverpool EPL 08-09: Preview, Live Score

(This entry was originally published on Friday, March 13th, 2009)

Manchester Untied hosts Liverpool in a high-profile premier league tie on Saturday (14 March 2009) with both sides looking to pick up three points from the match. Manchester United is leading the league table by 7 points with a match in hand, while Liverpool sits third in the league table with 58 points. Liverpool knows that they must win the match away at Old Trafford, if they are to revitalize their already-slim hope of winning the premier league title for the first time in 19 years. Manchester United, on the other hand, can leave make another step towards their third consecutive title in premier league.

Match: Manchester United vs Liverpool; English Premier League 2008-2009

Date: 14 March 2009, Saturday

Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester, England

Kick off: 12:45 GMT

Manchester United is now looking to achieve an unprecedented quintuple, winning five titles in one season. In fact, the Red Devils have already bagged the FIFA Club World Cup and Carling Cup titles. Manchester Untied has already reached FA Cup semi final and Champions League quarter final and holds a seven-point lead at the top of premier league. So, winning five titles does not seem to be a distant realty for the Ferguson boys at this moment. To achieve this feat, winning the home match against Liverpool is very important.

Liverpool started off the season excellently and led the premier league throughout the first half of the season, but lost the momentum since beginning of the New Year. It has been 19 years since Liverpool won their last premier league title. Liverpool has been excellent over the last few years in Europe and they even clinched the Champions League title in 2004-05 season. However, Liverpool’s much-awaited hope for a premier league title remained unattained. So, the Liverpool fans were optimistic of ending their wait for a premier league title when the All Reds got off to a good start this season. Well, they might lost some momentum over the last few months, but Liverpool’s recent 4-0 rout over Spanish champion Real Madrid in the midweek must have helped their players to retain some momentum back before they head into the Manchester United match.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez does not have any injury woe, except Yossi Benayoun who is currently out with hamstring injury. However, he would get the service of Albert Riera, who missed the Champions League match against Real Madrid on suspension, for the Manchester United match. Captain Steven Gerrard showed his sparkling form against Real Madrid in the mid-week and key striker Fernando Torres is expected to be fully fit after his appearance against Rea Madrid with pain-killing injection.

Manchester United defeated Inter Milan 2-0 at home in Champions League and their striking pair Dimitar Berbatov and Wayne Rooney in the match. So, Ferguson might play both the striker in the starting line up against Liverpool. However, I think, he might opt to Argentine striker Carlos Tevez who came off the bench as a substitute against Real Madrid. Andersen could also be seen in the starting line up of United against Liverpool. Ronaldo and Rooney are expected to be in the final eleven.

Online Live Score and Updates

Here, I am giving some website names from where you can get the live score and updates of the match between Manchester United and Liverpool:

Live Score

Goalzz

Live Football Scores

Goal.com

Footie Scorez

It is really very difficult to pick up a favorite when Manchester Untied and Liverpool are playing against each other. The Red Devils will have home advantage, but an inspirational performance from Liverpool, like what they did against Real Madrid, might see Untied receiving a shock from Benitez boys. I just hope to see an exciting match between two English giants.

Manchester United vs Liverpool Live Updates: 14 March 2009

Manchester United (1) vs Liverpool (4)

The match has finished with Liverpool picking up an excellent win at Old Trafford. This is the first win for Liverpool at Old Trafford since Rafael Benitez took over as Liverpool manager.

90+3 minutes: Liverpool won the match 4-1.

90 minutes: Dossena scored another goal for Liverpool. This is now 4-1. Can you believe it?

88 minutes: Ronaldo failed to control the ball in the box, and eventually lost the possession.

86 minutes: What a Miss! Gerrard failed to keep the ball into post, but his short range shot went off the target. This is perhaps the easiest chance of the match.

84 minutes: Rooney kept the ball in the box, but Reina gripped it before Berbatoz reached.

81 minutes: Babbel replaced Torres.

77 minutes: Aurellio scored from the free-kick and Liverpool is now leading by 3-1.

76 minutes: Nemanja Vidic was shown RED Card! He tackled Gerrard illegally; otherwise, it could have been another goal for Liverpool.

73 minutes: Three changes for Manchester Untied. Andersen, Park and Carrick went out and Scholes, Berbatov and Giggs came on the field.

70 minutes: Neither side is dominating in the match now.

68 minutes: Dossena comes in and Reira goes out.

65 minutes: Lucas had a shot at target, but United keeper was up to the mark.

63 minutes: United got another good chance. Ronaldo's cross was kept in the box by Rooney's chip, but Tevez failed to reach the ball.

60 minutes: Both sides are trying to create chances. United got a free kick, but nothing happened in the end. Mascherano was shown yellow card.

53 minutes: Ronaldo's free-kick was easily gripped by Reina.

51 minutes: Manchester United is looking for the equalizer.

48 minutes: Manchester Untied is in attacking mood at this moment.

46 minutes: Second half has just started.

It is now half time at Old Trafford. We will be back with the second half updates. So, do not go anywhere and be with us.

45 minutes: Liverpool got a free kick and then United got a corner, but nothing happened.

44 minutes: Liverpool scored again as Gerrard scored from penalty. Liverpool is now leading by 2-1.

42 minutes: Michael Carrick's long range shot just missed the target. It would have been an excellent goal, had it found the post.

40 minutes: Manchester United got another corner, but it was cleared in end.

37 minutes: Ferdinand was shown yellow card for tackling Kyut.

35 minutes: Ronaldo's free kick was not well-gripped by Liverpool goalkeeper, the ball slipped from him gloves and Tevez went very close to it before the Reds keeper gripped it again.

33 minutes: United for a free kick, but nothing happened in the end.

30 minutes: Rooney had a threatening corner, but Ronaldo just missed to reach it.

28 minutes: Torres scored the equalizer for Liverpool. He received a through ball from behind and slotted past the United keeper.

26 minutes: Manchester United seems to have been inspired after scoring, while Liverpool seems to have cut on their confidence. Liverpool is losing ball possession very often.

23 minutes: Manchester Untied got a PENALTY! Ronaldo scored from it. So, the home side is now leading 1-0.

22 minutes: Liverpool earned a free-kick, well taken by Gerrard, but there was no Liverpool player where it landed.

20 minutes: Torres had a very good attack, but United defense was up to the mark

16 minutes: Manchester Untied got two back-to-back corner, but neither of them was threatening.

13 minutes: Evra's shot went off the target. Nice attack from United, but not a good finish.

10 minutes: Neither side is dominating now

8 minutes: United is on attack

6 minutes: Both sides are trying to dominate in the game, Torres had a run in the left, but it was cleared in the end.

3 minutes: Park got the ball just outside the box, but it was cleared for a corner. The corner was taken poorly.

1 minute: Manchester United earned the first corner of the match, but nothing happened in the end.

0 minute: The match has started just now

Players are on the field now.

Players are lining up in the tunnel.

Manchester United will play in 4-4-2 formation with Tevez and Rooney up front, while Liverpool will play in a 4-5-1 formation with Torres playing up front, Reira returning after missing the Champions League tie with Real Madrid on suspension. Xabi Alonso is missing the match with injury.

The match between Manchester United and Liverpool will take place at Old Trafford, Manchester. In this post, we will be giving you live score and updates of the match which kicks off from 12:45 GMT. So, be with us and enjoy the updates of the match.