Manchester United secured a deserved victory on Sunday against rival Liverpool in front of 75,000 at Old Trafford.
Liverpool traveled to Old Trafford after the 3:0 victory against Sunderland on January 2nd. Rogers decided to start without his £12m signing Daniel Sturridge. ManUnited faced Liverpool after beating Wigan with 4:0 last week. However, it was also the match between the two top strikers – Robin van Persie and Luis Suarez. However, to everyone’s surprise, Danny Welbeck started along Van Persie. United clearly dominated the game right from the start and controlled possession. Van Persie demonstrated his qualities when he reacted quicker than Daniel Agger and put United in the lead in the 19th minute. Van Persie was also involved in the 2:0 when he provided the free-kick for Evra who’s header was deflected off Nemanja Vidic and crossed the line in the 54th minute. Daniel Sturridge came on for Lucas and just like in the game against Sunderland showed his skills. First, he scored the 2:1 in the 57th minute and gave Liverpool some hope for an equalizer. Than did he almost score the 2:2 in the last minutes. However,the game finished 2:1 and United secured another deserved victory.
Ferguson said: “The first-half performance, and until we scored the second goal, was absolutely brilliant. It was as good a performance as we have had for a long time and we should have been three or four up, but when they got their goal they got inspired by it.”
Rogers was disappointed and said: “We’re disappointed with those goals but we’ll take great hope from the second-half performance.”
United will face Tottenham on Sunday, January 20th at the White Hart Lane. Liverpool will host Norwich.