Oh, There Was A Match On?: Manchester United Defeat Liverpool

Manchester United 2-1 Liverpool
Rooney (47’, 50’), Suarez (80’)

If the rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester United is usually enough to ensure an interesting match-up, the teams’ previous Premier League clash, in which Liverpool’s Luis Suarez received his eight-match ban for a racial slur against United’s Patrice Evra, solidified the prospect as Liverpool looked to leave Old Trafford with a result similar to their FA Cup victory over United weeks earlier at Anfield.

With Suarez back in Liverpool’s line-up, many were assuming we could all simply look around awkwardly during the pre-match handshakes and move on to what is usually an excellent display of football.

We should never assume anything. Ever. Lesson learned.

Bad blood boiled between Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra in several displays that overshadowed the match.

Luis Suarez brought the drama even before kick-off, refusing to shake Patrice Evra’s hand. Just in case the pot needed stirring.

The match started, nonetheless. Evra, not missing a beat, attempted a heavy challenge on Suarez, only to find Rio Ferdinand in his way. Though the skipper may not agree, Evra’s challenge on Ferdinand was probably for the best, lest we imagine what may have resulted from contact with Suarez.

Glen Johnson attempted a low shot from the resulting throw-in, only to have De Gea save it. Johnson cut into the box again in the 9^th minute, sending a decent shot just wide of the goal.

Wayne Rooney took his first attempt of the match in the 26,’ sending a low shot well wide of the post.The 28^th minute saw play open up a bit more, with Liverpool looking neat and almost finding themselves with an opener, Gerrard feeding the ball to Suarez who attempted to set Jordan Henderson up, only to have Henderson be just ahead of his shot.

Suarez at last showed more involvement in the game a minute before the half, finding himself rather isolated from the midfield the rest of the match, passing Evra and attempting to sneak past Ferdinand, only to receive a well-placed- and legal, upon review- tackle from Rio. Which Suarez did not agree with. To say the least.

Emotions already high, Evra’s determination to confront Suarez in the tunnel resulted in players from both teams attempting to keep them apart, which resulted in a full-blown brawl between the teams with the added bonus of police-intervention. Both players struggled to keep their composure as bad blood boiled.

The second half started, nonetheless. United found themselves with a corner. Jordan Henderson could do nothing but flick the ball away before it found Wanye Rooney, who scored with a close-range volley. Minutes later, Spearing lost possession to Valencia who, in turn, set up Rooney for his second goal which found its way just under Pepe Reina.

Valencia was allowed, again, to set up Rooney, though he missed, which prompted Carroll and Bellamy to be subbed in for Spearing and Downing, with Adam coming on for Kuyt by the 75^th minute.

United’s defense found themselves dazed and confused in an attempt to clear Adam’s free-kick, the ball bouncing off of Ferdinand and straight to Suarez. A small touch was enough to put the Liverpool on the score-sheet in the 80^th minute.

Rio slipped again in the 82,’ giving Suarez a chance at a volley from the edge of the box, though it deflected off Carroll and went just wide.

Should’ve signed the Anfield Cat.

Carroll was slightly more helpful than the cat however, taking several more shots as Liverpool came to life.

Liverpool threw everything but the kitchen sink at De Gea, but were unable to take advantage of Luis Suarez’s earlier goal.

Which prompted Patrice Evra to celebrate with little abandon. In front of LFC supporters.

Which prompted a collective sigh from everyone hoping to see more football and less drama.

Liverpool found themselves leaving Old Trafford with no points, farther away from a 4^th place finish than they’d hoped, while Manchester United went to the top of the table after a match that was more than overshadowed by what occurred before it.

Next Matches:

Liverpool v Brighton. February 19. FA Cup. 11:30 EST.
Manchester United v Norwich City. February 26. BPL. 8:30 EST.

Written by Yasmien Mizyed