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Patrice Evra says the United players are in pain after a disappointing performance and result against arch-rivals Liverpool.

The French full-back was clearly frustrated when he spoke to MUTV at Anfield, and moreso at his own side than at referee Andre Marriner who booked Evra and Dimitar Berbatov and sent off Nemanja Vidic.

“The advice was to play our football but we didn’t do that and I don’t know why. Liverpool were aggressive but we didn’t play and that’s why it’s so frustrating to lose,” said Evra.

Patrice dismissed the intense atmosphere as a possible reason for the defeat - “I’m always happy to play here, I’m not scared.” And although he was less than impressed by the referee - “I don’t understand why Carragher only got a yellow card for fouling Owen when I think he was the last man” - the focus of the full-back’s angst was very close to home. (continue reading…)

Rafael Benitez hailed Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Manchester United as the ‘perfect response’ and urged his side to use the triumph to embark upon a winning streak.
The Reds brought a run of four straight defeats to an end with a dominant win against the Red Devils, leaving the boss delighted by his team’s show of character in what was his 200th league match in charge.

“I am really pleased for the club, the players and the staff. We knew we needed to change our luck and it was a fantastic victory,” he told his post-match press conference.

“Before we were talking about how it was maybe the perfect game to respond, and it proved to be the case. We needed to produce a performance against a good team in front of our fans and I think it was a fantastic performance from the players.

“It was important to score and to win, but it was also important to do it in the way we did, with the team defending well. They had some set pieces at the end but we defended well, so I am really pleased for Pepe and the defenders.

“We needed the three points for our confidence, so I think it will be a big boost for the team, especially because it is against a good side. The fans are delighted and you can see that the players are in the same mood. It is very positive, but we have a game in three days so we need to be ready. (continue reading…)

Torres returned from injury to fire his side in front with a Kop end goal midway through the second half. Substitute Ngog then wrapped up the points with almost the last kick of the game.

A second yellow card with minutes to spare for Nemanja Vidic piled more misery on United, for whom former Liverpool star Michael Owen featured as a substitute.

The only sour note for the Reds was the dismissal of Javier Mascherano, who received a second yellow in stoppage time for a foul on Edwin van der Sar.

The result leaves Liverpool just six points behind new league leaders Chelsea, and just as importantly lifts the mood around Anfield after a difficult month.

For the second season running Liverpool went into this fixture without injured skipper Steven Gerrard in the starting line-up, but Benitez could at least call upon Glen Johnson and Torres on his 200th league game in charge after both passed late fitness tests. (continue reading…)

Jamie Carragher today insisted Liverpool have the character - and the quality - to haul themselves back into this season’s title race.
The Reds head into today’s clash with Manchester United looking to arrest a run of four straight defeats, but Carragher believes it’s just a matter of time before the Reds are back to winning ways.

“You don’t have it rosy all the way through your career,” said Carragher. “You’ve got to fight to get to the top.

“We’re at this club for a reason and one of those reasons is we’re good at our jobs and because we’ve got the fight and the character needed to be at this club. This is the time we’ve got to show it. The manager won’t be feeling extra pressure. He’s been a manager for a long time. I’m sure he’s had this in his career before. (continue reading…)

Sir Alex Ferguson insists Michael Owen has the temperament - and crucially, the quality - to lead the line for United in the anticipated Anfield cauldron.

Although the boss stopped short of guaranteeing the former Liverpool striker a place in his eleven, he did hint at a possible start. That could yet become probable, with Wayne Rooney still having to prove his fitness on the training ground.

“Michael’s got a chance [of starting],” said Sir Alex on Friday.

“When he came on against CSKA he did very well. His movement really started to trouble his opponents. I was pleased with that contribution, even though it was only 30 minutes.

“He has been doing very well and has been an excellent professional for us.” (continue reading…)

Journalist: Rafa you appear quite relaxed. How much pressure is on you at the moment?

I am just thinking about how to change things and improve. We have to have confidence in ourselves. We are training well, and we were before the game against Lyon. If we had scored one or two of the chances we had at the end of the first-half in that game, we would still be taking the same approach with the players, but obviously in a different mood. Experience tells us we have to keep going and doing the things we have done in the past because we were winning when we did.

Journalist: So this is not the turmoil the papers are talking about. Would you urge them to be cautious with those words just yet?

You always have to wait in football. Before the game people can talk, but after the game sometimes everything can change. You will perhaps know better than me, but I have experience of journalists writing their match reports on 88 minutes when the score is 1-0 and saying how the result is a disaster. Then you can score two goals and they have to change their article. But that is football and you have to wait until the last minute. If we can beat United, I am sure the headlines will be different next week. (continue reading…)

One of the most highly anticipated derbies in recent years, Rafael Benitez faces the very real chance of losing his job if Liverpool are humiliated by the Premier League champions, despite a public “vote of confidence” from the club’s American owners; while United are keen to avenge their own humiliation from a 4-1 defeat at Old Trafford last season.

Benitez takes charge of his 200th Premier League game, but may have to do without midfield inspiration Steven Gerrard, as the England man’s recurring groin problem. United have suffered their own injury problems, with Wayne Rooney struggling with a calf complaint; but look in much better shape as they have lost only one of their last seven Premier League trips to Anfield.

Liverpool player in focus: Javier Mascherano. As a defensive shield for the back four, Mascherano has a vitally important role to play. One of the world’s finest midfielders, he has suffered a dip in form of late and has struggled to assert his dominance in the centre of the pitch. Stopping United’s attacks will not be easy and Liverpool need the Argentine to be in top condition.

Man Utd player in focus: Antonio Valencia. With comparisons to Cristiano Ronaldo always going to follow the Ecuadorian, he is finally beginning to show his potential. Two goals in two games have made the £16 million investment look a good one. His tricks, pace and crossing ability will cause the Liverpool defence problems, and now boasts a goal threat too. (continue reading…)

Rafa Benitez today backed his players to haul themselves back into the title race by beating Manchester United on Sunday.
The Reds can reduce their arrears to four points when Alex Ferguson’s league leaders travel to Anfield.

Despite a dip in form which has seen Liverpool lose four on the spin, Benitez has plenty of reasons to be confident ahead of the 2pm kick off.

His side completed the double over United last term, including a 2-1 home victory without either Fernando Torres or Steven Gerrard in the starting line-up.

Benitez will make a late fitness call on his influential duo as well as Glen

Johnson, but if they are not fit he is confident the rest of his squad can step up to the plate.

“I am sure our squad is much better than people think. If you have three, four or five players who normally start out injured, then you can’t talk about the squad not being strong enough,” the Spaniard told his pre-match press conference.

“I am sure if you take four or five players from United, Chelsea or Arsenal, it would be very difficult for them to win some games. (continue reading…)

Changes As punk and new wave kicked out the glam era, the look went from platforms and tank tops to sleek Adidas Sambas and Pringle sweaters – with hair by the Thin White Duke, David Bowie. Our decade-by-decade look at the rivalry between United and Liverpool - with the help of fans who’ve been there and seen it - continues into the 70s, where the Anfield Reds were the major force on the pitch, while the battle raged to be the most stylish – and hardest – off it…

Decade head to head
League: P17 W2 D5 L10
FA Cup: P3 W2 D1 L0
Charity Shield: P1 W0 D1 L0
Overall: P21 W4 D7 L10

The United fan Ian Hough grew up in Salford and started watching United in 1975. Author of the acclaimed Perry Boys, he now lives in the USA and is writing his first novel.

“In May 1977 I went to Cornwall with a mate and his family on holiday. The entire week was scheduled with military precision: a daily 15-mile ramble, without fail. I was a shy kid but made it very clear I wasn’t going anywhere that famous Saturday [21 May, FA Cup final against Liverpool]. I stayed in and watched United thump the Mickeys and overcome the disappointment of the previous year against (continue reading…)