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Manchester United logo
League Cup | Round Three
Sep 25, 2013 at 7.45pm UK
 
Liverpool logo

1-0

Hernandez (46')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Live Commentary: Manchester United 1-0 Liverpool - as it happened

Find out how Manchester United advanced beyond rivals Liverpool in the League Cup with Sports Mole's text updates.
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Manchester United played host to rivals Liverpool in the League Cup this evening looking to put Sunday's defeat in the Manchester derby behind them.

As it was, a goal early in the second half from Javier Hernandez was enough for David Moyes's side to reach round four of the competition.

Liverpool, who had Luis Suarez back after a 10-match suspension, created a handful of chances in the closing stages, but they failed to convert any of them.

You can find out how the match unfolded with our minute-by-minute commentary below.


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Evening all. It's fair to say that some of these League Cup third-round ties do not get the pulses racing, but that is not an accusation that can be aimed at this one - Manchester United vs. Liverpool at Old Trafford.

BREAKING TEAM NEWS! Well, Liverpool aren't hanging around. With just under an hour until we get underway, they've released their starting lineup. Among the XI is a certain Luis Suarez...

LIVERPOOL XI: Mignolet; Toure, Sakho, Skrtel, Enrique; Henderson, Lucas, Gerrard; Moses, Sturridge, Suarez

Perhaps with the exception of the injured Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Agger, that is as strong as Liverpool can get. The return of Suarez is a major boost and provides them with much more threat going forward. Jose Enrique has been reinstated at left-back, meaning that Mamadou Sakho is likely to revert to a more natural centre-back role.

Right, the United team news is always with us. Wait for it...they will be captained by Wayne Rooney!

MAN UNITED XI: De Gea; Rafael, Smalling, Evans, Buttner; Nani, Jones, Giggs, Kagawa; Hernandez, Rooney

So, even with Ryan Giggs included, Rooney has been given the armband. That is big call from David Moyes because it wasn't that long ago that the striker looked bound for Chelsea. Also coming into the side is Shinji Kagawa and Nani, as well as Mexican frontman Javier Hernandez. Rafael da Silva has overcome a hamstring complaint, while it appears that Phil Jones will be given a role within the heart of the midfield. Eight changes in all.

Even though Rooney will take over the captain duties for tonight, it can be argued that the big story centres around Suarez. Of all the places, his 10-game ban for biting Branislav Ivanovic ends as Liverpool travel to Old Trafford - you couldn't make it up. It's fair to say that after he was found guilty of racially abusing United defender Patrice Evra, he's not going to be welcomed back to English football with open arms by the home faithful.

Like Rooney, the Uruguayan also wanted out during the summer - he said as much during a press conference in his homeland. Real Madrid and Arsenal are thought to have tried their luck with bids, but the Reds held firm. Again, like Rooney, you wouldn't expect him to give anything less than 100% to the cause - it's the type of player that he is.

Jamie Carragher has just been talking about Suarez on Sky Sports News. It's fair to say that for all the controversy that surrounds him, he's highly rated by his former teammate:

"I'd put him up there ahead of Michael Owen and Robbie Fowler at times, maybe just on Steven [Gerrard's] shoulder. When you watch him every day in training, he's a world class player.

"You talk about some of the great players of the past - they have that volatile character and they need that to make them the player that they are - Suarez falls into that character."


Suarez is also bound to have licked his lips in anticipation when he caught a glimpse of the United lineup. He's up against a centre-back pairing that have barely played all season. Chris Smalling has featured twice, including during Sunday's nightmare, and Jonny Evans, who because of injury and a lack of match fitness is yet to turn out for the Red Devils. Suarez may not have turned out for Liverpool, but he has played in a number of friendlies and on international duty with Uruguay.

Right, that's enough of Suarez for now - I'm sure we will be talking about him plenty during the game. Let's turn our attention to that United lineup, with only three players (De Gea, Smalling and Rooney) surviving the thrashing of Man City. With that in mind, there is a big chance for some to prove their worth to Moyes tonight.

That statement below is particularly true for Kagawa. Aside from the Champions League tie with Bayer Leverkusen, calls to Moyes from United supporters to play the Japanese international have fallen on deaf ears. He's got a real opportunity tonight to shine - as have Nani and Javier Hernandez. In fact, in a feature yesterday, we suggested that the trio should be included tonight. To read the article, click here.

Okay, we couldn't ignore Suarez for too long it seems. Brendan Rodgers has just been talking about him to Sky Sports News: "It's brilliant. For our supporters it is great and his talent. He is a wonderful player and he has worked very, very hard. With two players like [Suarez and Sturridge] you've always got a chance. They are both wonderful footballers."

We may hear something from Moyes soon, but he has sent out a plea to United supporters in the match programme: "The Anfield crowd played a big part a few weeks ago, tonight it's our supporters' turn."

And we have indeed Just heard from Moyes, who has discussed the changes and Kagawa, again to Sky Sports News: "I had to make sure that I had a chance to look at some of the other players. This is a tough game tonight, but it's the right time to have a look at some of the others. We have to give the boys a game somewhere. [Kagawa] played against Leverkusen and has looked very good. Everybody tells me how good he is and hopefully we will see that tonight.

Right, with around 15 minutes until we start, let's quickly bring you who will begin this contest on the bench.

UNITED: Amos, Fabio, Anderson, Carrick, Zaha, Januzaj, Welbeck

LIVERPOOL: Jones, Alberto, Aspas, Sterling, Ibe, Kelly, Wisdom


In case you missed it, here is our look back on the top five Cup matches between these great rivals. It includes the last League Cup meeting between the two, which ended with Liverpool winning the final 2-0 in Cardiff. Steven Gerrard was among the scorers that afternoon.

A bit of Suarez drama before the start? Here's something from BBC Sportreporter Alistair Magowan: This might amount to nothing, but Luis Suarez has twice clutched his left hamstring in the warm-up. Probably just a bit tight as the adrenaline kicks in, otherwise he is all smiles and fully involved in a bit of five a-side keep-ball."

Might be worth keeping an eye on.


There are no signs of an injury among the United players, though.



So, the players are now out on the pitch. As you'd expect there is a great atmosphere inside Old Trafford tonight. There are a lot of players out there with a point to prove to their respective managers. It should make for a fiery contest.

GAME ON! Here we go then - Liverpool, attacking the Stretford End, get this fourth round League Cup tie started. A big 90 minutes ahead.

CHANCES! A positive start from the home side as Nani sends over a cross from the right for Hernandez which is blocked. Liverpool fail to clear the danger and the ball drops to Nani, who shoots from the edge of the area. The effort is blocked for a corner, which comes to nothing. Nonetheless, a sign of positive intent.

CHANCE! Another opportunity for United as Kagawa and Nani link to free Rooney on the edge of the penalty area. He shapes to shoot and beats Kolo Toure and then powers goalwards. It's deflected wide, but more lively work from United's creative players. We are yet to see anything from the away side.

First real venture forward from Liverpool and it almost ends with an opportunity. Gerrard gets down the right and drills in a cross. United fail to deal with it initially and it appears that Suarez has a shot at goal. Across comes Rafael, though, to mop up the danger.

To be fair to Liverpool, they've settled down a little bit. Their passing is leaving a little bit to be desired, though, with Suarez's touch in particular looking slightly off the pace.

That is a point that has been enhanced by former Liverpool midfielder and Germany international Dietmar Hamann on Twitter: "LFC too wasteful in possession,inviting unnecessary pressure."

CHANCES! The best opportunity of the night so far and it has gone to Liverpool. Suarez plays in his strike partner Sturridge, who has the pace to get away from Evans. He still has space in front of him, but opts to poke the ball goalwards. It's a poor effort, though, which goes into the side netting. Then, moments later Suarez's touch lets him down and David de Gea is able to collect.

CHANCE! Suarez and Sturridge are really starting to take the game to United. Again they link smartly, with the latter racing into the home side's area. He takes one touch before firing towards goal, but Evans slides in and deflects the ball away for a corner.

The first attack United have mounted in the last 10 minutes or so as Kagawa and Hernandez exchange passes inside the area. The ball is fired at the Mexican and his touch is a little heavy. He still gets a toe to the ball ahead of Martin Skrtel, but he can only succeed in lifting the ball over the target from a narrowing angle. A half chance at best.

You'd have to say that after the opening 15 minutes or so, Liverpool have dominated this contest. They've changed their formation to accommodate Suarez's return, but they've taken to it really well. In contrast, United are finding it very hard to string a passing move together. It looks as though they are the away side.

BOOKING! The first yellow of the night goes to Liverpool's Lucas for a trip on Jones. The Brazilian can count himself a little unlucky there because it looked accidental and was his first offence of the evening.

BOOKING! Yellow cards are like London buses right now. If Mark Clattenburg deemed Lucas's foul worthy of a caution, then he had to dish out the same punishment to Giggs for a trip on Victor Moses.

We will have just the one minute of stoppage time at the end of the first half.

HALF-TIME: Man United 0-0 Liverpool

Well, that was a first half that you could split down the middle. The hosts started much the better of the two sides and created a few half opportunities. From around 20-minute mark, Liverpool started to dominate and have had some decent chances to take the lead.

You'd think that Rodgers would be the happier of the two managers right now, but at the same time he is likely to be disappointed that his team did not make the most of their openings. We've seen in the past that if side's don't take their chances when they come at Old Trafford, it could spell danger. That was Sir Alex Ferguson's United though...

From United's point of view, they've not really been at the races. Having said that, Liverpool haven't allowed them to have any control. The one bright spark has been Nani, who has looked bright and inventive every time that he gets on to the ball. On the other flank Kagawa has shown flashes, but has also been wasteful.

As far as changes are concerned, it's unlikely that either manager will make a move just yet. That is of course assuming that none of the players have picked up a knock during the opening 45 minutes.

Right, as expected, there's been no changes and United get the second half off and running.

GOAL! Man United 1-0 Liverpool (Hernandez)

If nothing else, Hernandez provides goals. Say what you want about Danny Welbeck's ability, but he doesn't pose the same threat as the Mexican. It's trademark Hernandez, who moves to the near post to meet a corner from Rooney. It's a neat finish, but it was also surprising to see just how much space he was afforded by the visiting defence.

The noise inside Old Trafford has lifted with that goal. Having seen their side dominated towards the end of the first half, the atmosphere was a bit subdued. It will be a test of Liverpool's character now. How will they react?

BOOKING! That is called taking one for the team by Kolo Toure. Rooney is away and breaking towards the halfway line, but in flies the Liverpool defender to stop him in his tracks. A deserved caution and one that Toure does not even bother to argue against.

CHANCE! A real opportunity for the away side to draw themselves level as Giggs dawdles in possession inside his own area. The ball breaks for Jordan Henderson, who instantly sends a right footed shot inches wide of the target. You could argue that he was unlucky, but he probably should have scored.

PENALTY APPEAL! Nani goes down dramatically inside the Liverpool area and instantly appeals for a penalty. He didn't help himself with his theatrics, but replays show that Henderson did make a connection with the United winger. To be fair to referee Clattenburg, he didn't have the best of views of the incident.

CHANCE! What a goal that would have been from United. De Gea starts it with a long kick forward which Hernandez controls brilliantly. He picks out Kagawa, who in turn plays in Nani with a one-touch pass. The Portuguese international wriggles free inside the area to fashion out a shooting chance, but he then blazes over the crossbar.

United are the dominant force in this tie. There is much positivity about their play and they are harrying Liverpool into making mistakes when they don't have possession. We've reached an important stage of the game because you feel that another goal for the hosts would seal it.

CROSSBAR! It's not just United that have come to life, Kagawa has as well. He spins in the Liverpool half and races towards the penalty area. Having weighed up his options he goes for goal and beats Mignolet. Unfortunately for the Japanese attacker, the ball flies over via the crossbar.

SUBSTITUTION: First switch of the match comes from Liverpool boss Rodgers, who brings on defender Martin Kelly for Lucas. That is likely to mean that Henderson will move from his defensive role into a more natural midfield position.

CHANCE! Suarez finds the net, but it's only the side of the goal. A corner falls to him at the back post and he opens up the space by tricking his way beyond Alexander Buttner. His next touch is a shot, but under pressure from Rooney, he drills the ball into the side netting. Much more positive from Liverpool though.

SAVE! Now Liverpool have the bit between their teeth. Jose Enrique volleys over a cross from the left for Moses, who is all alone inside the area. He opts for the diving header, but sends his effort straight at De Gea and the Spanish goalkeeper is able to parry clear.

CROSSBAR! Almost a dream return for Suarez as he dusts himself down to take a free kick that he won 25 yards from goal. His effort takes a slight deflection off Jones's head, which is just enough to send the ball onto the crossbar and out for a corner. Agonisingly close.

SUBSTITUTIONS & CHANCES!: A couple of switches for United and it's Hernandez and Kagawa that have been hooked by Moyes. On in their places is the experience of Michael Carrick and the potential of Belgian youngster Adnan Januzaj. Moments later, a free kick from Rooney is parried clear by Mignolet. From the resultant corner, Rooney is again denied by the Liverpool stopper.

What a chance Sturridge has just wasted for Liverpool. Suarez picks him out all alone to the right side of the penalty area and all he has is De Gea to beat. Instead of shooting, he tries to work the ball onto his favoured left foot and it proves costly as the United defenders retreats to snuff out the danger.

SUBSTITUTION: Another alteration for Liverpool and it's like for like really as Moses is given a breather and on in his place comes England youth international Raheem Sterling.

It's taken until five minutes from time, but we've had our first set of handbags in this game. It's between Henderson and Giggs, with the Liverpool player unhappy at what he believed is time wasting from the United veteran. Giggs is lucky actually because he's already on a booking, but Clattenburg takes no action.

With two minutes to go Liverpool have a corner...

CHANCE! And Liverpool almost score from it! It's quickly taken by Sterling, who finds Henderson. It appears that he is trying to cross the ball, but gets it wrong. It nearly works in his favour, though, but De Gea scampers across his line to push the ball clear at his near post. Moments later, Toure fires wide from eight yards out. Not really the player that Liverpool want in that position.

SUBSTITUTION: A bit of running the clock down from United as they make their last change with Welbeck replacing Nani. Meanwhile, three minutes of stoppage time have been signalled.

As far as Liverpool are concerned, the ball is in the wrong half at the moment. United have the ball and are knocking it around with ease.

FULL TIME: Man United 1-0 Liverpool

Well, there you have it. United edge themselves through in what was an entertaining Capital One Cup tie at Old Trafford. Had it been a league match, you could argue that Liverpool were worthy of a point, but there has to be a winner in this format and that was United.

That's all we have time for from Old Trafford. Thanks for joining us this evening. Until next time, goodbye.

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Manchester United manager David Moyes prior to kick-off against Manchester City on September 22, 2013
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