Liverpool roast United at Old Trafford to reignite the title race (The Star)

MANCHESTER: Liverpool breathed fresh life into the Premier League title race yesterday after coming from a goal down to complete a stunning 4-1 defeat of Manchester United in front of a disbelieving Old Trafford crowd.

Knowing victory would effectively wrap up a third straight title, United looked to be firmly on track when Cristiano Ronaldo fired them ahead from the penalty spot.

But a rare mistake by Nemanja Vidic, whose miserable afternoon ended with a straight red card 15 minutes from time, gifted Fernando Torres an equaliser.

A Steven Gerrard penalty ensured Liverpool were ahead at the break and Fabio Aurelio’s perfectly lobbed free-kick ended the contest after Vidic’s professional foul on Gerrard.

Substitute Andrea Dossena then rubbed salt into the wounds in stoppage time, running on to a Jose Reina punt upfield before beating Edwin van der Sar with a deft lob.

Liverpool’s performance was all the more remarkable for the handicaps they carried into the match.

A calf strain deprived Benitez of Xabi Alonso and a warm-up injury to Alvaro Arbeloa necessitated a last-minute defensive reshuffle, Sami Hyypia starting at centreback with Jamie Carragher shunted into Arbeloa’s berth at right-back.

With a four-point lead and a game in hand, United still look likely to go on to claim the title, but Liverpool fans will savour the considerable bragging rights attached to this win.

On the defeat, United manager Alex Ferguson said: “It’s a hard one to take, particularly because I thought we were the better team.

“We have to accept it was a bad day in terms of the goals we lost, but I couldn’t fault the display that much.”

Liverpool captain Gerrard, who had the satisfaction of beating formidable Dutch goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar — who last conceded twice in the league at Arsenal in November — said: “To score a goal for the first time here after all the stick from United fans over the last 10 years was great,” said Gerrard, who raced over to kiss the TV camera after the goal. “And it was nice to rub it in a bit.” — AFP