Unusually for this fixture it was 34 minutes before a real chance was created, when Luis Suarez twisted and turned before firing off a shot that failed to extend de Gea in the United goal. Up until that point the game was sluggish, with neither side taking risks, the unadventurous line up that Ferguson started with stifling the game and the Reds poor passing and lack of decisive movement adding to a stuttering spectacle. Much will be made of Ferguson’s line up but Kenny, in picking Steven Gerrard, also sent out a midfield that had not played together and the opening half saw a lack of cohesion in that department that left Suarez isolated for much of it. Lucas in particular seemed heavy legged after his mid week international duties. The United team sheet gave hope that an early breakthrough might give the visitors a dilemma of whether to make early changes but unfortunately they were not forced into such a decision. The first 45 minutes ended up being an extended feeling out process for both sides.
The second half started in a similar vein before the introduction of Henderson in the 57th minute added fluency to the Red’s midfield and the game sprung into life with Gerrard’s deserved goal breaking the deadlock. The introduction of Rooney and Nani opened up the game further and this seemed to suit Liverpool with the two substitutes having a fairly peripheral role. The third United addition, Hernandez, changed that temporarily with a poachers header that left questions about the marking in the penalty box. The Red’s response was to renew their attacking intent and they were unlucky to find de Gea in great form, the save from Henderson’s looping volley in particular stopped what seemed a certain winner.
So a game that started slowly ended in a flurry of chances and we were left to rue what might have been. It was a frustrating game in the sense that United seemed vulnerable and apart from the goal offered little threat all game. With a little more luck with the finishing (and maybe a little more composure) the gap between the sides would be three points today. That frustration comes tempered with an equal degree of satisfaction. The return of Steven Gerrard, the performances of Adam and Henderson, the strength of both fullbacks and the desire to win the game all point to a bright future for this squad of players. Unlike most of these fixtures in recent years yesterday felt like a clash of (near) equals and for all the hype about Ferguson's options the home bench didn't look too shabby. One year on from victory in the High Court John Henry and Kenny Dalglish's policy of getting the clubs assets back in a red shirt and a team capable of challenging for titles continues to develop positively.
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