REDS STUN RED DEVILS AT HOME
By: Njabulo Ndlovu
Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard banged two goals in a 3-0 humiliation of Manchester United Old Traforf on Sunday.
Gerrard converted two penalties before Luis Suarez score the theird goal as the Reds ran rampant on struggling United to keep their title hopes alive.
Red Devils defenders had their hands full during the first half as Daniel Sturridge and Suarez had things going their way and forced United defenders to commit fouls.
The pressure put on by Sturridge and Suarez resulted in Liverpool getting a penalty in the 33rd minute after Rafael Da Silva was cautioned for a handball inside the box and received yellow card.
Gerrard stunned the home crowd into silence as he put his side on the lead.
After just one minute in the second half, Phil Jones fouled Joe Allen in the box and Gerrard stepped up to complete his brace, giving his side a commanding lead.
Gerrard had a chance to complete his hat-trick on the spot but his penalty hit the pole.In the 84th minute, Sturridge’s shot fell on Suarez who scored his 25th league goal to make the score 3-0.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers praised his boys after collecting maximum points.
“I thought we were outstanding today. We had dominance in the game from the first whistle, our intent to attack, to press and work hard was outstanding,” Rodgers said after the game on the club’s website.
“I thought we could have had more goals. We were really aggressive in our game going forward, just that our final pass or final touch might have been a bit better to finish them off even more.”
Steven Gerrard celebrates after scoring. Pictures from Liverpoolfc.com
Embattled United manager, David Moyes said he was disappointed with his side’s results.
“There is disappointment for everybody. All the Manchester United supporters, that we didn’t get results today. Disappointment about the goals and the way they were conceded,” Moyes said.
Liverpool moved to the second spot on the log with 62 points, with a game in hand, whileUnited is still on the seventh spot with 48 points.
In another match, Arsenal collected three away points after beating Tottenham Hotspurs at home by 1-0, courtesy of Tomas Rosicky.
