Reds slip to United defeat

Manchester United returned to the top of the Premier League table with a 2-1 win against rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford this afternoon.

Fernando Torres scored the opener with a fine header before Wayne Rooney equalised at the second time of asking after his penalty was saved. Ji-Sung Park scored the winner in the second half with a wonderful diving header.

Liverpool took an early lead in the fifth minute, Torres stole the ball in midfield and it fell to Lucas Leiva who played it back to the Spaniard. He back heeled it to Steven Gerrard and Liverpool were away, quickly spreading the ball out wide to Dirk Kuyt on the right.

The Dutch international picked out Torres, who was unmarked in the middle, and the Spanish forward headed beautifully into the top left-hand corner past Edwin van der Sar.

Manchester United responded wonderfully, playing the ball inside to Antonio Valencia who drove through the Liverpool back four. Javier Mascherano was chasing and hauled the winger down as he entered the area and Howard Webb pointed to the spot, booking Mascherano for the challenge. The infringement looked to have started outside the box.

Rooney stepped up to take the penalty and hammered the ball to Pepe Reina's left.  The 'keeper guessed correctly and produced a brilliant save. Unfortunately for Liverpool the ball came straight back out to Rooney, who gratefully tapped the rebound into the open goal: 1-1 with 12 minutes played.

After the frantic start the pace of the game slowed substantially, with both sides defending solidly and shots on goal coming sporadically.

The next chance came to Park. He played the ball out wide to Valencia, who beat Emiliano Insua on the right and crossed to the South Korean who had found space in the centre. He got a glancing header to the ball, but it limped wide of the far post without troubling Reina.

Torres was becoming increasingly frustrated with his lack of service, and lunged into a tackle on Park. The Spaniard intimated that the midfielder had dived and received a yellow card.

Nani tested Reina in the 28th minute, he collected possession high on the left and turned towards goal. Space opened up for the Portuguese winger and he duly carried the ball forward. No-one came to close him so he went for goal, sending a stinging drive towards the bottom left-hand corner. Reina did well to get down to save, but it looked to be heading just wide of the target.

Manchester United had an opportunity to take the lead just before half-time as Darren Fletcher was brought down just outside the box by Jamie Carragher. Rooney took responsibility and curled the free-kick towards the left-hand side of the goal. Reina watched it all the way and claimed the shot comfortably.

The second half started with United working a decent chance. Rooney flicked the ball to Park, who was running inside right to left, and the South Korean advanced forward moving the ball to the left. His movement opened up a shooting opportunity and he went for goal with his left foot. The build up was good but the shot lacked power and Reina made a comfortable save.

United took the lead on the hour mark. Rooney moved the ball out wide to Fletcher on the right and the Scot held the ball waiting for support. Gary Neville went on the overlap and Fletcher used him as a decoy, floating a superb cross into the centre where Park connected with a diving header that zipped into the bottom left-hand corner.

It was a brave header and Park collected a kick on the head from Glen Johnson for his troubles. He was fine after receiving some treatment on the sideline.

Liverpool had an almost immediate chance to get back level. Gerrard drove down the right flank and cut the ball back towards Torres in the middle. The Spaniard's first touch was unusually heavy and it looped up towards Rio Ferdinand who managed to nip the ball away from the Liverpool striker and United cleared.

Fletcher was fortunate to still be on the field after an incident involving Kuyt. The Scot robustly dispossessed Lucas before being nibbled from behind by Kuyt, as they both tumbled Fletcher lashed out with a petulant kick and a melee ensued. The referee took control of the situation and elected to give both players a telling off, with Fletcher escaping any punishment for the kick.

With 25 minutes left, Rafael Benitez decided to bring on some attacking options to try and give Torres some support. The Liverpool manager brought off Kuyt and Maxi Rodriguez in favour of Alberto Aquilani and Ryan Babel. This didn't give any noticeable effect, as United were looking the most likely as the game drew on.

Torres had another chance in the last minute of normal time. Gerrard attacked down the right and cut the ball back across the penalty area, Aquilani dummied and let it run for Torres who fluffed his lines and mis-kicked the ball. It broke for substitute Yossi Benayoun but his header from close range was straight at van der Sar.

United survived five minutes of stoppage time to collect the three points and returned to the top of the Premier League table.

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.