But the hype prior to kick off had seemingly affected the players, with a feisty first twenty minutes. The Reds appeared bright and lively, with crisp, accurate passing and intelligent, even complex, movement up front.
But an insipid second half lacking in belief, organisation and creativity clouded any positive memories. Statistics can often belie truth, but with a total tally of two shots on target and a quarter of all passes going astray, the Reds would have been lucky to have scraped an undeserving point.
Uncharacteristic mistakes from Jamie Carragher cost Liverpool, initially allowing Paul Scholes the freedom of the six yard box - and a simple tap in - to give United the impetus. A sliced clearance mid way through the second half from the Liverpool talisman then allowed Rio Ferdinand his chance, which he duly controlled and finished, cleverly turning John Arme Riise and firing home from close range.
But it was the lack of chances which must concern Reds boss, Rafa Benitez. Liverpool required a Steven Gerrard wonder strike, but when this failed to materialise, there seemed little left in reserve. And with media attention focusing on Benitez's rotational approach, today's performance seemed to epitomise the downfalls of playing with such an inconsistent team.
Stray passes, mis-commmunication between players, and an underlying inability to create any meaningful chances were the only conclusions to draw from a second half which was, at times, painful to watch. The initial optimism from the first twenty minutes was replaced with misplaced pass after misplaced pass, with the Reds unable to find team mates and incapable of keeping possession for a sustained period.
And the dreary Manchester weather reflected the Reds performance on the pitch. Grey skies hung over a team who seem to need a burst of confidence, perhaps an injection of faith. But with each player fighting against a system which inherently rejects such an approach to the game, Reds will be wondering where the side will go from here.
But an insipid second half lacking in belief, organisation and creativity clouded any positive memories. Statistics can often belie truth, but with a total tally of two shots on target and a quarter of all passes going astray, the Reds would have been lucky to have scraped an undeserving point.
Uncharacteristic mistakes from Jamie Carragher cost Liverpool, initially allowing Paul Scholes the freedom of the six yard box - and a simple tap in - to give United the impetus. A sliced clearance mid way through the second half from the Liverpool talisman then allowed Rio Ferdinand his chance, which he duly controlled and finished, cleverly turning John Arme Riise and firing home from close range.
But it was the lack of chances which must concern Reds boss, Rafa Benitez. Liverpool required a Steven Gerrard wonder strike, but when this failed to materialise, there seemed little left in reserve. And with media attention focusing on Benitez's rotational approach, today's performance seemed to epitomise the downfalls of playing with such an inconsistent team.
Stray passes, mis-commmunication between players, and an underlying inability to create any meaningful chances were the only conclusions to draw from a second half which was, at times, painful to watch. The initial optimism from the first twenty minutes was replaced with misplaced pass after misplaced pass, with the Reds unable to find team mates and incapable of keeping possession for a sustained period.
And the dreary Manchester weather reflected the Reds performance on the pitch. Grey skies hung over a team who seem to need a burst of confidence, perhaps an injection of faith. But with each player fighting against a system which inherently rejects such an approach to the game, Reds will be wondering where the side will go from here.