Man Utd vs. Liverpool report

Kenny Dalglish was announced as the new Liverpool manager on Saturday, with his first match just 24 hours away, vs. bitter rivals Manchester United.

Dalglish made 5 changes to Roy Hodgson's team which lost 3-1 to Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park, replacing out of favour left back, Paul Koncheskey with Fabio Aurelio. Replacing Sotirios Kyrgiakos with Daniel Agger, also drafting in Martin Kelly, for Glen Johnson, whose wife went into labour. Raul Meireles also made his return for injured Joe Cole, and Dirk Kuyt replaced David N'Gog.

Liverpool kicked off and straight away set out to the familiar 4-5-1 of Rafa Benitez, with Gerrard playing off Torres, with two lines of four behind him.

From a Liverpool point of view, the game could not have started any worse, with just 30 seconds gone, Dimitar Berbatov came down the right side of the penalty area with Daniel Agger closing him down, Agger's challenge was met by a Berbatov dive, with Webb giving the penalty.

Giggs stepped up to successfully convert the penalty, with Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina guessing the right way but couldn't get any significant contact on the shot.

With Man u 1-0 up, Liverpool kicked off again, starting to string 4 or 5 wonderful passing moves together, although chances were limited, their best chance of the half fell to Fernando Torres, after a Gerrard flick on fell to Kuyt who slipped him into the Manchester United penalty area. Torres had his shot blocked and Man Utd cleared.

30 minutes gone in the game, Gerrard goes for a loose ball with a 2 footed challenge, which connected with Michael Carrick, Howard Webb pulled Gerrard to one side and produced the red card, which was proved to be a moment on inconsistency, with Rafael producing his stoods on Raul Meireles moments earlier. The fiesty half ended with a Man Utd corner swung in, with Johnny Evans rising for a free header, but could only hit the post.

Second half began and Liverpool set up with a 4-4-1, with Torres still leading the line. Man u came out flying winning a few early corners and piling on the pressure. Liverpool defended well, with Pepe Reina producing a wonderful string of 5 saves in a row, keeping Liverpool in the game.

60th minute came and 2 changes were rightfully made by Dalglish, replacing Maxi Rodriguez who didn't get into the game with Ryan Babel, and Raul Meireles with Jonjo Shelvey. Babel made an immediate impact bursting down the left and forcing a smart save from Thomas Kuschak.

Fernando Torres failed to impress and was also replaced by David N'Gog on 75 minutes to bring some fresh legs against the tiring defence of Man Utd.

Liverpool did produce a few chances to bring the game level, with a Fabio Aurelio free kick on the right of the box, saved excellently by Thomas Kuschak. Man Utd didn't press for a 2nd goal late on, with holding possession and the final whistle went.

Final score Man Utd 1 - 0 Liverpool.

Martin Kelly again shown that he will fight for a place ahead of Glen Johnson, with a great performance, keeping Ryan Giggs to a nonexistent role most game.

The Gerrard red card will mean his misses the away trip to Blackpool, along with the must win Merseyside derby, and the trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers.



Dalglish's reign didn't get off to the win every Liverpool fan would have liked, but I’m sure they won't be too disheartened, due to the intent and work ethic the players produced, which always seemed to be missing during Hodgson's reign. Dalglish next has Blackpool, and will look for a much needed away win to boost Liverpool back up the table. Everton then follow for the Merseyside derby, which will be Dalglish's first game in charge at Anfield since he left in 1991.