Liverpool travelled to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United this afternoon in one of the most eagerly anticipated fixtures of the English football calender.
United took a 1-0 lead into half time through a Robin van Persie strike before Nemanja Vidic doubled his side's lead by deflected Patrice Evra's header into the net.
Substitute Daniel Sturridge grabbed a goal back for the visitors but United held out for a win to take them 10 points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
You can read how it all unfolded with Sports Mole's play-by-play coverage below.
Good afternoon! Thank you for joining us for what is a mouth-watering clash between English football's two biggest rivals - it's Manchester United vs Liverpool!
Games do not get much bigger than this one. English football's two most successful clubs going head to head, and you can be sure that there will be no love lost between these two sides.
Manchester United, have ruled the English game for the last 20 years or so, but when manager Sir Alex Ferguson first came to Old Trafford his sole aim was to "knock Liverpool off their perch". I don't think even the most ardent Liverpool fan can deny that's he's done just that.
More recently, United's dominance over the English game has been challenged by the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City, but Ferguson still regards this fixture as the biggest of the lot.
Both sets of fans seem to agree too. A win for either side gives their supporters bragging rights and very few results would make them happier!
Of the two sets today, however, it is the United fans who will be going into this one most confident of coming away with the three points.
It's true that form often goes out of the window in derby matches, but you cannot ignore United's recent results, with a draw against Swansea being the only black mark of any sort on their league record since losing 1-0 to Norwich City in mid-November.
Liverpool will be bouyed by their own form too, however, as they look to continue their perfect start to 2013. Defeats to Stoke and Aston Villa were not ideal results for the Reds, but their form has been steadily improving under Brendan Rodgers, and they have won their last two league games 3-0.
They will still be harbouring hopes of a top four finish too, and a win today would see them move level on points with Arsenal is sixth, putting them just six points off a Champions League spot.
They won't get a much tougher test that this afternoon, however. United have the best home record in the Premier League so far this season, winning nine of their 10 matches at the 'Theatre of Dreams'.
The eagle-eyed among you would've spotted that they HAVEN'T won one of those games, then. Yes, Tottenham proved that United were not invincible at home when they arrived at Old Trafford and won 3-2.
Liverpool's away record is much worse in comparison. The Reds have amassed just 13 points on their travels so far this season, winning three, drawing four and losing three of their 10 games.
That record points to inconsistency, which is something that has plagued Liverpool this season. Even their recent results, which have been more promising, has been interrupted by the defeats to Stoke and Villa.
United have suffered from nothing of the sort in the past two months or so, and they would move 10 points clear at the top of the Premier League with a win today. Their closest rivals, Man City, play later but their tie with Arsenal is by no means a foregone conclusion.
A 10-point lead would put Ferguson's men even more firmly in the driving seat to regain the title. I just can't see a team under the Scot blowing such a big lead, but last season proved that nothing is certain in the Premier League!
Let's have a quick look back at the long, storied history between these two sides, shall we?
The clubs have met 158 times in all competitions, with United edging the win count 61-53. Recent history also goes to United, who have not lost to Liverpool in the league since March 2011.
Liverpool did, however, beat their arch-rivals just in the FA Cup just under a year ago. The Reds went on to reach the final of the competition, only to lose to Chelsea.
The most recent clash between the two sides took place at Anfield earlier this season, when a late Robin van Persie penalty sealed all three points for United in a 2-1 win after Steven Gerrard had given the home side a lead.
There have been too many classic matches between these two sides to list them all, but luckily for you, Sports Mole has compiled a list of five of the best, including videos. You can watch them here.
Right, it's about time to bring you some team news I think!
Well, the Liverpool lineup is the first to come in so let's start with that one. The big news is that Daniel Sturridge is dropped to the bench despite his goal against Mansfield last weekend, while fellow striker Fabio Borini is also named on the bench after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
LIVERPOOL XI: Reina; Wisdom, Johnson, Agger, Skrtel; Lucas, Gerrard, Allen; Downing, Sterling, Suarez
LIVERPOOL SUBS: Jones, Carragher, Henderson, Sturridge, Borini, Shelvey, Robinson
We will bring you the Manchester United team news as soon as we get it!
United will be well aware of the threat that Liverpool's Luis Suarez poses. The Uruguayan has had his fair share of controversy with the Red Devils, not least the infamous Patrice Evra race row, but he does generally perform well against them. He has played a part in three goals during his three matchs against the league-leaders, and United will have to respect that today.
Similarly, Liverpool will be more than aware of United's star striker Robin van Persie. I've already mentioned his penalty in the reverse fixture earlier this season, but he also scored a sublime volley against the Reds while playing for Arsenal last season. He has fitted into this United set-up effortlessly and could prove to be the main reason behind their 20th title success if, and it still is a big if, they can hold on to their lead at the top of the table.
In my view those two players, Suarez and Van Persie, are the two best in the Premier League at the moment. They are the top scorers in the division and have been their respective teams' most dangerous weapons throughout the campaign.
This match is notorious for being quite a feisty affair. In fact, only Liverpool vs Everton has accrued more red cards in Premier League history than this fixture, which has seen 14.
Another stat for you: Manchester United have not lost a home league game in January for 11 years. And who was the last team to beat them in one. Yep, you guessed it, Liverpool back in 2002!
Right, the United team news is in! The big news from their camp is that Vidic and Ferdinand both start, a rare appearance for the duo together recently. Danny Welbeck has also been included in place of Javier Hernandez up front.
MANCHESTER UNITED XI: De Gea; Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Cleverley, Carrick, Kagawa, Young; Welbeck, Van Persie
MANCHESTER UNITED SUBS: Amos, Smalling, Jones, Giggs, Anderson, Valencia, Hernandez
So, the inclusion of Welbeck is something of a surprise to me. Hernandez is one of the best penalty-area predators in the world and, in a match that is likely to be settled by the odd goal, you'd think that he would be in line for a start.
Just a little sidenote to say that the first song played at Old Trafford today was "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother", the Hillsborough tribute single. Whatever the ill fellings between the two sides, I think that United as a club have behaved admirably when it comes to Hillsborough.
Needless to say, there has been a lot of hype and build up ahead of this match - it is the biggest in the domestic football calender after all! Let's have a look at what both parties have had to say...
It won't surprise most of you to hear that Ferguson has been up to his usual mind games. He has admitted to being shocked by Liverpool's recent decline but insists that he would be happy to win ugly.
Fergie has also singled out new Liverpool signing Daniel Sturridge, whose signing he describes as a gamble.
That's not all from the Scot either! He has also said that Luis Suarez is "laden with controversy". Classic mind games from the veteran manager!
Sticking with Suarez, former United defender Gary Neville has described the Uruguayan as a "nasty little player". It's fair to say that the Uruguayan does not endear himself to opposition fans, but the Liverpool fans love him and there is no doubting his quality. For what it's worth I think he gets a lot of undeserved criticism.
A win today would see United do the double over Liverpool, something that they have not achieved since the 2007/08 season.
Liverpool will enter the match with hope, and they will certainly fancy their chances of getting on the scoresheet. United may have the best home record in the league this season, but they have also conceded their fair share of goals.
So, let's look at the dangermen who both sides beyond Suarez and Van Persie.
United are certainly not lacking in that respect! Kagawa and Young are both goal threats from midfield, while Welbeck is more than capable of weighing in with a couple himself. On the bench they also have Hernandez, a proven goalscorer, and Giggs and Valencia who are almost certain to provide good chances if they get on.
Liverpool also have a threat from midfield, namely Steven Gerrard who has been in fine form lately, providing plenty of assists for the likes of Suarez up front. Sterling provides an exciting threat down the wing, while Downing has been steadily improving in recent weeks. On the bench they also have Sturridge and Borini who could come on and score.
Right, five minutes from kickoff - it's time for the prediction! Such a big match deserves an in-depth one, so here we go. I think that Van Persie will open the scoring for United, Suarez will equalise and United will go on to score a second-half winner. So I'm sticking with the prediction I made in the match preview and say 2-1 to United. If I was a betting man, which I am, I'd put money on it, which I have.
The teams are out, Old Trafford is buzzing, and we're nearing kickoff here! There's no occasion quite like this in English football!
And we're off! United get us underway!
Liverpool are forced to defend early on, and do so with aplomb as Van Persie looks to close them down high up the pitch.
Suarez gets the ball for the first time and is greeted by a chorus of boos - no surprises there then!
Evra pokes the ball past Gerrard, finding Kagawa down the left. His cross is blocked by Wisdom and loops ito the arms of Reina, however.
Evra gets down the left again but again the ball ends up in Reina's arms as he comes out to claim the left-back's cross.
United have made an assured start to this match, taking control of the ball early on and knocking it about confidently. Liverpool, on the other hand, have yet to get a grip of the ball for an extended period of time.
Carrick finds Welbeck with a clever reverse pass, but the England international is stopped in his tracks by Lucas on the edge of the box. He wants a free kick but Howard Webb waves it away.
Liverpool knock it about at the back and United slowly pen them in to their own box. Reina goes for the big clearance, but it falls to a United player in an attacking position. Van Persie eventually tries to get a shot away but it is blocked and easy for Reina to collect.
Howard Webb has given a number of free kicks to both sides in the early stages. He seems to be keen to stamp his authority on this match early on to prevent it getting out of hand.
A ball into the box towards Welbeck is headed down by Skrtel, but it drops in the box and Reina has to be quick of his line to steal it off the toes of the England striker.
Liverpool have begun to edge their way into this match, it's been a more even affair in the last five minutes or so.
Van Persie tries to take it past Glen Johnson with a clever piece of skill but the Liverpool man holds firm and gets the tackle in. Good defending.
A hint of an opening for United as Welbeck beats Agger to the ball down the right before cutting inside and rolling the ball into the path of Cleverley. He moves it on to Van Persie, but his shot is well blocked by Skrtel. They've dealt with the former Arsenal man very well in the opening stages.
GOAL! Manchester United 1-0 Liverpool (Robin van Persie)
Van Persie gets the opener for United! Evra drills the ball into the box and it is slightly behind Van Persie, who has moved away from Agger. The Dutchman only has a small amount of space but he uses it perfectly and slides the ball past Reina. Very smart finish, one chance one goal!
Gerrard almost gifts Van Persie another chance through on goal, but the Liverpool skipper gets back well to put in a fine tackle on the striker. You can't gift this man goals, he gets enough as it is!
Liverpool have responded quite well to going behind, though. They come forward through Agger, who slips the ball to Johnson down the left. The England international's cross is poor, however, and goes straight out for a free kick.
Joe Allen puts fierce pressure on Evra in the Frenchman's own box, and almost steals it but the left-back does just enough to buy a goal kick for his side.
CHANCE! That's a chance by Van Persie's standards! The ball is slipped into the Dutchman on the edge of the box and he has a chance to shoot with his left foot, but for once his fluffs his lines and puts it over the bar.
United are in a good attacking position but put the ball out because Young is down injured. Young was actually the one who fouled Agger and is lucky to get away without a booking, but he has come off the worse for wear as Agger landed on top of him.
Young is slowly limping off and Valencia is warming up. Ferguson could be forced into an early change here.
CHANCE! Joe Allen doesn't give the ball away often, but he does here and it almost gifts United a second. He hands it straight to Welbeck, who looks to be through on goal, only for Agger to put in a superb block from the initial effort.
SHOT! Welbeck works space to shoot inside the Liverpool box well, but fires over from quite a tight angle. Nice build-up play by the striker but erratic finishing.
SHOT! Suarez has his first shot at goal and it's some way off the target. He controlled the ball nicely inside the box before spinning off Ferdinand, only to lash his volley high over the bar. Tough chance but if anyone can do it, Suarez can!
Suarez has a chance to run at the defence for the first real time. He lends the ball to Gerrard on the edge of the box and the Liverpool skipper tries to return it to the Uruguayan, but he over-hits his pass and it goes out for a goal kick.
CHANCE! Almost a special goal from Cleverley as he picks up Allen's half-hearted clearance on the edge of the box, volleying it ferociously just past Reina's post. That was very, very close.
Suarez and Gerrard link up again about 25 yards from goal and the latter once again has a chance to hit a trademark piledriver, but instead he tries to slip Sterling in and the ball is eventually cleared out for a throw. Can't help but think the Gerrard from a few years ago would've gone for goal there!
CHANCE! Oh I'm not quite sure how that hasn't gone in! Rafael gets beyond Johnson and slips the ball to Van Persie about six yards from goal. The Dutchman looks to flick it in, but Skrtel makes a great block from pretty much on his line. It deflects off Reina and out towards Kagawa, who misses the ball under pressure from Reina, who collides with the winger is is hurt now.
The board says two minutes but we'll have more added time than that as Reina is still down hurt. He collided hard with Kagawa and looks dazed and confused, but it was brave play from the Spaniard.
Play is back underway and Reina is still looking rattled. He'll be hoping he has nothing more to do before the break so he has time to recover!
YELLOW CARD! The first card of the day goes to Lucas, who leaves a leg out for Young to go over.
Suarez has been crowded out whenever he has got on the ball today, United are dealing with him well. He needs some help up top if Liverpool are going to create anything today.
HALF TIME: Manchester United 1-0 Liverpool
So a Van Persie goal separates the two sides at half time, and United will be happy with their performance in the opening 45 minutes.
They were so nearly 2-0 up at the end of the half too, but a combination of brave goalkeeper and great defending from Skrtel somehow denied United when they looked certain to score.
On the whole, Liverpool will be happy enough with that first half. They will fancy their chances of grabbing a goal in the second half, although they will need to give Suarez more help up front if that is to be the case. The Uruguayan is being marked out of the game at the moment, and United are doubling up, sometimes tripling up, on him when he has the ball.
Liverpool have defended very well for the vast majority of the half, with only a brilliant piece of movement in the box by Va Persie catching them out so far. Other than that they have generally coped with the league's top scorer well.
There is no doubt that United deserve their half-time lead, however. They have been on top for the vast majority of the half and have enjoyed all of the good chances. Liverpool haven't looked like scoring really, but they have had enough attacking platforms to provide optimism for the coming half.
So, as things stand, United will move 10 points clear at the top of the table. That's quite a lead and will be very hard for City to eat up!
You can read Liam Apicella's half-time report here.
Let's have a quick look at some stats from that first half then, and they're pretty damning for Liverpool. They have had just one shot at goal compared to United's eight, while the hosts have enjoyed 56% possession.
MANCHESTER UNITED SUB: United make a change at the break, bringing Antonio Valencia on for Ashley Young, who still seemed to be struggling with that injury he picked up.
LIVERPOOL SUB: Liverpool also make a change, but I don't think this one is forced. Sturridge comes on for Lucas, which will mean a change of formation for the Reds.
Liverpool get us back underway!
It looks like Sturridge has gone straight up front with Suarez, Rodgers obviously noted that Suarez was not getting enough support.
Immediately Sturridge has a shooting chance on the edge of the box, but he tries to feed it through a pile of United defenders. Liverpool don't look keen to shoot from outside the box today, but they might need to change that tactic!
Welbeck does get a shot away from outside the box, but it goes a long, long way wide. Maybe that's why Liverpool aren't doing it!
Kagawa goes down under the challenge of Allen and United have a free kick in a very good position. Perfect distance to get the ball over the wall and back down again...
...but Van Persie's effort is a long way from troubling Reina and it goes high over the bar.
Liverpool have made a positive start to this half, Sturridge's arrival has really made a difference!
CHANCE! That's Liverpool's best opening of the match. Suarez slips it into Wisdom who is marauding down the right, but he is probably the last person Liverpool want in that position. He panics when he had a clear shot on goal, loses his balance and puts it well wide.
YELLOW CARD! Big decision for Howard Webb as Skrtel is the wrong side of Welbeck and brings him down. The fans want a red, but Webb only produces a yellow.
GOAL! Manchester United 2-0 Liverpool (Patrice Evra)
Big, big goal for United. Just as Liverpool were starting to get back into the match, Van Persie floats a free kick into the back post and Evra rises highest to head in his fifth goal of the season - a very prolific season for the Frenchman! The ball hit Vidic on its way in, but that should be Evra's goal.
GOAL! Manchester United 2-1 Liverpool (Daniel Sturridge)
Liverpool hit straight back! Unbelieveable! Gerrard finally lets fly from the edge of the box with a powerful effort which De Gea gets down well to save. He can only parry it into the path of Sturridge, however, who makes no mistake with the rebound! Game on!
Van Persie goes down theatrically under the tackle of Gerrard but Webb falls for it and gives United a free kick in a very good position. Van Persie will take it himself...
It hits the wall and almost falls for Evra or Welbeck inside the box, but they are both unsure as to where the ball exactly is, and Reina comes out quickly to claim it.
LIVERPOOL SUB: It's a return to first team action for Fabio Borini as he comes on for Sterling. A bit of a baptism of fire in this having spent a long spell on the sidelines!
CHANCE! Kagawa has a go from the edge of the box as the ball breaks to him, but Reina pulls off a fine save to tip the winger's goalbound effort wide. Really good chance for Kagawa, but Reina did well.
Liverpool are gaining confidence by the minute here, they'll fancy their chances of grabbing an equaliser but United can be devastating on the counter attack.
SHOT! Johnson cuts inside and goes for goal on his stronger right foot, but he drags his effort wide of the near post.
Just a hint of an opening for Liverpool as Suarez and Sturridge link up. Sturridge tries to slip the ball through to Suarez in the box but the pass is just too heavy for the Uruguayan to control.
SHOT! Suarez zips a long ball across the pitch to Sturridge, who takes on Ferdinand, working space to shoot on his left but his effort doesn't trouble De Gea and goes wide.
SHOT! The visitors are piling the pressure on now! Sturridge finds Borini who goes for a volley and it flies just wide. It doesn't trouble De Gea again, but Liverpool are getting closer!
YELLOW CARD! Evra enters Howard Webb's notebook for a foul on Downing, although replays suggest that the Liverpool man went down easily.
Gerrard whips the freekick in and Vidic gets a good defensive header in to put it wide. Howard Webb doesn't know who it has come off, however, and gives United the goalkick.
YELLOW CARD! Johnson picks up a yellow for a cynical foul on Evra.
MANCHESTER UNITED SUB: Defensive change for United as Phil Jones replaces Kagawa. He'll go into midfield, but he's more defensive minded.
MANCHESTER UNITED SUB: Off goes captain Nemanja Vidic to be replaced by Chris Smalling. Vidic may end up being credited with the second United goal.
LIVERPOOL SUB: Jordan Henderson comes on for Joe Allen in Liverpool's last change.
Henderson's first action is to put a pass behind Wisdom and out for a throw in. He's not enjoyed a great time at the club so far, but a goal here would really endear himself to the Liverpool faithful!
CHANCE! Oh that is a real chance for the equaliser! Suarez battles away in the box in his own inimitable style and the ball eventually balls to Sturridge, but he blazes his shot over the bar in a good position! Should have at least worked the keeper there!
Sturridge has another chance to shoot but just can't get it out of his feet, United are really under pressure here!
The visitors have had an astonishing 70% possession in the last five minutes. It's backs against the wall for United at the moment!
Suarez dribbles his way through a number of challenges in the box but it just doesn't sit up for him to shoot! Liverpool have found themselves in a number of very good positions in the last few moments but haven't be able to get a shot away.
SHOT! Sturridge springs the offside trap and shoots at goal, but it ripples the side netting.
There will be four minutes of added time here.
CHANCE! Van Persie almost seals the points for United in spectactular style! Valencia puts the cross in and the striker puts a backheel flick towards goal that Reina has to be alert to stop. Very good effort.
Van Persie gets past his man on the byline and tries to pull the ball back but Skrtel is there to clear it away. United are in a safe position in the closing stages here.
YELLOW CARD! Agger picks up a yellow for a rash challenge.
FULL TIME: Manchester United 2-1 Liverpool
There we have it! A much better second half from Liverpool but it just wasn't enough as the hosts held out for a big win over their bitter rivals.
United undoubtedly deserved their half-time lead but Liverpool will feel hard done by that they haven't got a point there. They really put in a spirited effort in the second half and Sturridge made a massive difference as the Suarez suddently had help up front.
Both sides will take positives from that match. United move 10 point clear at the top of the table and complete the double over Liverpool for the first time in five years, while Liverpool gave the runaway league-leaders a real run for their money and the partnership of Sturridge and Suarez looked very dangerous.
Right, that's it from me today! It's been another enthralling match between these two sides and thank you for joining Sports Mole for it! Be sure to stick around for the reaction to this result as well as match analysis which should be on site within half an hour. Goodbye!
Written by
Barney Corkhill
Barney Corkhill
