Full Time: Liverpool 2-1 Manchester United

For the first time in seven years, Liverpool beat Manchester United in a Premiership game at Anfield Road. The winning goal came from Ryan Babel in the second half.

United had taken the lead after only three minutes as Dimitar Berbatov beat two defenders and found Carlos Tevez in the penalty area. The Argentinian then struck past Pepe Reina to make it 0-1.

But Liverpool soon gained strength, and would be the better side throughout the rest of the match.

Their first reward came in the 27th minute. A right winged cross from Xabi Alonso had Edwin van der Sar wanting to punch away, but the goalkeeper directed the ball onto Wes Brown’s foot instead, after which it bounced back into the goal for 1-1.

Liverpool continued to attack in the second half, and Rafael Benitez brought on Steven Gerrard and Ryan Babel to give his side some more options for the remaining half hour.

The Reds netted their deserved winner at thirteen minutes from the end. Javier Mascherano struggled past two Mancunians at the goal line, and somehow got the ball to Dirk Kuijt. The latter then passed back to fellow Dutchman Ryan Babel, who sent the ball over the heads of several United players and keeper Van der Sar to make it 2-1.

Liverpool hadn’t beaten United in a Premiership home game since November 2001, and it is the first ever Premiership victory over Manchester ever for Benitez.