Fergie has to make bigger point next
Nine minutes were left on the clock and Steven Gerrard’s name was being chanted loudly and proudly by The Kop when substitute Javier Hernandez popped up to preserve Manchester United’s unbeaten start to the season.
Alex Ferguson was able to breathe a sigh of relief after his defensive tactics had threatened to back-fire, yet the United manager had barely reached the other end of the East Lancs Road when the news filtered through.
Even a first point in four years at Anfield could not prevent United being replaced at the top of the table by their noisy neighbours ahead of one of the most eagerly-awaited Manchester derbies in years.
Having bluffed their way through their first major test of the season at Anfield, Ferguson will be demanding a big improvement ahead of Manchester City’s visit to Old Trafford in six days’ time.
“There are no heroes in this team and we all want to help, it doesn’t matter who scores the goals,” said Hernandez after Martin Skrtel’s sloppy marking allowed the Mexican to deny Liverpool a fourth straight win over United.
“We know it is a very important point but I don’t feel like a hero. I scored the goal but United scores overall.
Liverpool’s players will still be kicking themselves this morning why they did not hang on for victory against a much-changed United line-up.
In truth, it was a game that will not live long in the memories of those present.
The first half was scrappy and, although there was a marked improvement after the interval, it was far from a classic.
But with three of United’s best players surprisingly starting on the substitutes’ bench, it was Liverpool who gained control midway through the second half after Gerrard’s free-kick following Rio Ferdinand’s foul Charlie Adam.
Despite Ryan Giggs spectacularly failing to do his job in the wall, the finish was nevertheless well executed.
The script was written as Liverpool’s captain marked his first start since undergoing groin surgery, by scoring what looked like being the winner.
Gerrard is no stranger to finding the net against Liverpool’s bitter rivals but this time his goal failed to earn his side three points.
First Wayne Rooney and Nani were sent on before the key moment when Hernandez replaced Phil Jones 14 minutes from time.
“The form that Rooney’s been in and Nani’s been in, we expected them to start,” said Gerrard. “That’s not to say that Alex Ferguson didn’t put a strong side out.
“The players Manchester United have got, they can pick a number of different sides that are always going to cause you problems.”
Kenny Dalglish said that it was a sign of how far his team has come that his players were bitterly disappointed not to hang on for the win. But Liverpool, who were frustrated by David De Gea’s late saves from Jordan Henderson and Dirk Kuyt, ultimately need to rediscover the art of how to kill off games.
Not everyone at Liverpool, however, was unhappy.
While Dalglish and Ferguson searched for positives after one of the least memorable meetings between the bitter rivals in recent seasons, LeBron James tweeted his impressions from the directors’ box after the American basketball star’s first visit to Anfield since becoming a Liverpool shareholder.
“Wow what a great game from both teams! Unbelievable experience.”
Giggs and Skrtel might beg to differ.
Javier Hernandez’s introduction for Phil Jones 16 minutes from time was clearly crucial to United coming away with their first point from Anfield for four years. Up until then the visitors had done little to seriously threaten Pepe Reina’s goal. ‘Chicharito’ is proving to be a late saviour for United, nine of his 16 top-flight goals have come in the 73rd minute or later.
What now for Dimitar Berbatov after there was no room on the bench for the Bulgarian striker? He has fallen so far down United’s pecking order it is hard to see a way back for the forgotten man.
David de Gea (Manchester United): The Spaniard emerged from his first visit to Anfield in a United shirt with huge credit. Despite being beaten by Gerrard’s free-kick, de Gea saved well from Suarez in the first half before two crucial late stops to frustrate Henderson and Kuyt.
In the run-up to the game, Patrice Evra urged his teammates to build barricades around their goal after conceding too many for his liking. So the French defender will have been dismayed by the crumbling wall which allowed Gerrard to score. Yet Liverpool fans were dismayed by the sight of Evra going down as though he had been shot in a challenge with Luis Suarez. After lengthy treatment he climbed to his feet before kissing the United badge on his shirt in front of the Kop. Brave man.
A trip into the unknown await United next as they travel to face Romanian champions Otelul Galati in the Champions League tomorrow before returning to Old Trafford to host Manchester City. Liverpool host Norwich at Anfield on Saturday.
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Ian Johnston
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