Liverpool destroy Man Utd to ignite title race

Steven Gerrard scored two penalties as Liverpool closed to within four points of Premier League leaders Chelsea with a 3-0 win at beleaguered rivals Manchester United on Sunday.

Gerrard found the net from 12 yards either side of half-time before Luis Suarez added a third goal in the 84th minute to give Liverpool their first victory at Old Trafford in five years.

Gerrard should have had a hat-trick of spot-kicks, with a third penalty hitting the post after United captain Nemanja Vidic had been shown a second yellow card for felling Daniel Sturridge, but it was to prove anecdotal.

With nine matches remaining to Chelsea's eight, Liverpool's run of five consecutive league wins has left them four points behind Jose Mourinho's side who were beaten 1-0 at Aston Villa on Saturday having had two men sent off.

Liverpool, seeking a first English title since 1990 after long being in the shadow of United, could have won by an even bigger margin as they underlined the incredible turnaround in fortunes for English's football's two great north west rivals.

They ended last season 28 points behind champions United, who managed one shot on target on Sunday, but are now 14 clear of David Moyes' side who now look almost certain to finish outside the Premier League's top four for the first time.

"I got a bit cocky with the third penalty," Gerrard told Sky Sports. "I've come here many times and been played off the park and but to come here and dominate like we did, we're even a bit upset we didn't get more goals.

"We've shown today we're genuine contenders and we'll fight to the end. I don't think their defence has ever had a more difficult 90 minutes."

Moyes conceded his side were now struggling to qualify for next season's Champions League, unless they overturn a 2-0 deficit against Olympiakos in Wednesday's last 16 tie and go on to win the trophy.

"It looks like we are a long way off it, we are well aware of that but we are going to keep fighting," said the Scot.

Liverpool retain a game in hand on Chelsea, who lost 1-0 at Aston Villa on Saturday, and while Brendan Rodgers's side look more like potential champions with each display, United's season continues to unravel.

This was the defending champions' fifth home defeat of the campaign and having started the day 11 points below the Champions League places, their hopes of a top-four finish have been all but extinguished.

As a result, Wednesday's Champions League home game with Olympiakos now takes on crucial significance, but with United 2-0 down from the first leg of the last 16 tie, there could be more misery around the corner.

United manager David Moyes had admitted prior to the game that Liverpool's form "probably" made them favourites, but he will have been alarmed by the ease with which the visitors found holes in the hosts' defence.

There were fewer than three minutes on the clock when a Jordan Henderson pass down the inside-right channel set Sturridge free, but he shot wide with his weaker right foot.

There was plenty of commitment to United's play, with Phil Jones and Robin van Persie both flying into early challenges, but they had not mustered a shot worthy of the name by the time Liverpool went ahead in the 34th minute.

As Suarez looked to dink the ball past Rafael da Silva on the left-hand side of the area, the Brazilian jutted out a hand and referee Mark Clattenburg immediately awarded a penalty.

Having been booked for clattering Gerrard moments earlier, Rafael was fortunate to avoid a second yellow card, but the Liverpool captain showed no mercy from the spot to silence the catcalls from the Stretford End.

Liverpool's fans at the opposite end of the ground celebrated deliriously, and although United briefly rallied, with Wayne Rooney stinging Simon Mignolet's palms, there was more of the same to come.

Only 25 seconds of the second half had elapsed when Jones barged into Joe Allen after he had chested down a lofted pass from Jordan Henderson and Gerrard's spot-kick, into the bottom-right corner, was again unerring.

Rooney then had a penalty claim of his own turned down, after a collision with Martin Skrtel on the edge of the Liverpool box, and when a rare chance fell to Marouane Fellaini, he blazed over.

After Van Persie had headed wide from a Rooney cross, Gerrard was handed an opportunity to complete a first ever hat-trick against United when Vidic sent Sturridge sprawling.

This time, however, his aim was slightly off, with the ball cannoning against the base of the left-hand post and away.

Liverpool were not finished though. Moments after being thwarted by a stunning save from David de Gea, Suarez ghosted in behind the hosts' flatfooted defence to roll home and make United's misery complete.

FULL TIME

Man Utd 0 Liverpool 3 (Gerrard 34" 46" pen, Suarez 84")

Title-chasing Liverpool humiliated Manchester United at Old Trafford 3-0 to go within four points of leaders Chelsea (66) with a game in hand.

Steven Gerrard scored twice from the spot either side of the interval but missed a hat-trick hitting the post after Vidic was sent off for bringing down Sturridge.

The Reds skipper converted his first penalty before the break after Rafael handled Suarez's cross inside the box, before doubling his side's advantage after a Phil Jones foul 24 seconds into the second half.

Suarez added a third minutes later to sink United who remain seventh in the table - 14 points off second-placed Liverpool (62).

90+4" Rooney fires a free-kick over the bar for what would have been a consolation goal for United.

90+2" Sturridge makes way for Aspas.

90" Four minutes are added as Coutinho shoots just wide from the edge of the area.

88" It's all over bar the shouting now as United look down the barrel while Liverpool fans have unfurled a banner hailing David Moyes as a football genius.

86" Gerrard makes way for Lucas Lieva while Ferdinand comes in for Mata.

84" GOAL! Suarez adds insult to injury by slotting home after a brilliant through ball from Sturridge after De Gea makes a brilliant save moments earlier.

Man Utd 0 Liverpool 3 (Gerrard 34" 46" pen, Suarez 84")

82" Van Persie is marginally offside but his kick is out after a brilliant pass down the middle from Rooney.

78" Gerrard misses a hat-trick after firing the penalty into the left woodwork going the other side this time even as De Gea went the wrong way.

77" RED! Vidic sees red for the fourth time this season for a second yellow after a late tackle on Sturridge who was going for goal.

76" United make a double change with Cleverly and Welbeck in for Fellaini and Januzaj.

74" Gerrard's shot is deflected for a corner with the Liverpool firing well over with another ambitious effort.

72" Liverpool make the first change as Sterling makes way for Coutinho.

71" YELLOW! Vidic is booked.

68" Suarez is threatening by twisting and turning through the middle.

66" Fellaini fires well over the bar from the edge of the area after Mata's shot is deflected out.

64" Rafael goes down in the Liverpool area after a solid challenge from Gerrard.

63" Rooney makes a decent shot at goal through a maze of defenders.

60" United are sixes and sevens with Januzaj finding Carrick who just fires it behind for a goal-kick.

58" Mata tries to thread a pass through to Rooney but is cut off by Gerard.

56" Vidic wins a header from the corner but has to get treatment for a gash for his brave effort.

54" YELLOW! Skrtel gets booked for a challenge on Rooney on the edge of the box.

52" A defeat for Manchester United would leave them 14 points behind Liverpool.

50" Appeals for a handball by United against Johnson who misjudges the bounce of the ball which hits his hand are turned down by the referee.

48" Liverpool are on a roll after doubling their lead just 24 seconds after the restart.

46" Liverpool are rocking at Old Trafford as Gerrard buries a second penalty in the same spot after Phil Jones barges over Allen.

Man Utd 0 Liverpool 2 (Gerrard 34" 46" pen)

46" Liverpool get the second half underway as they seek their first win at Old Trafford since March 2009.

HALF TIME

Man Utd 0 Liverpool 1 (Gerrard 34" pen)

Liverpool have taken a deserved lead through a calmly struck penalty from skipper Steven Gerrard for a handball by Rafael who was lucky to remain on the pitch after being shown a yellow earlier for hacking down Gerrard moments earlier.

United had 51% of the possession but had only a superb effort from Rooney which was brilliantly saved by Mignolet to show for their efforts.

Sturridge looked threatening for Liverpool who did most of the running.

45+2" United finish strongly peppering Liverpool who are in front courtesy Gerrard's eighth penalty goal of the season.

44" Rooney's thundering sidefooted shot is brilliantly punched away by Mignolet.

42" United keep pressing and a shot on the turn from van Persie hits Skrtel and goes behind for a corner.

38" United whip a free-kick into the area but it all comes to nothing as Mata's clipped ball back falls to an offside Van Persie.

37" YELLOW! Gerrard is booked for a rough aerial challenge on Fellaini who has to be treated for a blood wound.

34" GOAL! Gerrard slots home a penalty as De Gea moves to the wrong side to give Liverpool the lead.

Man Utd 0 Liverpool 1 (Gerrard 34" pen)

33" Suarez earns a penalty after Rafael attempts to stop a flick inside the box with his hand but is lucky to be playing after having got a yellow card earlier.

32" YELLOW! Rafael is also booked for a reckless challenge on Gerrard.

31" YELLOW! Flanagan gets the first booking.

28" Sturridge sets up a goal-scoring opportunity with Allen shooting straight at De Gea after being played in by Vidic.

26" A Gerrard corner is cleared away briefly before it comes back for a goal kick.

24" United are enjoying 54% of possession against 46 by the oppostion.

22" United are enjoying a lengthy spell of possession with Agger looking desperate in defence.

20" Sturridge goes close again but does not have a good look at goal making a weak left-footed attempt after Suarez slides in a perfect pass.

18" Robin van Persie finds the Liverpool defence difficult to break after Fellaini floats a ball into the box.

16" Rafael is at the heart of the latest United attack after being fed by a neat Mata pass.

14" Jon Flanagan is cautioned for a second cynical body check by ref Clattenburg.

12" Liverpool are quick on the counter but Sterling fails to find Sturridge or Suarez.

10" United make their first foray but Van Persie's cross into the box falls to the feet of a defender.

8" It's all Liverpool at this stage with Johnson making a weak attempt from outside the box.

6" United clear successive corners without much difficulty with Carrick heading away the first one.

5" Liverpool are aggrieved as Suarez appeared to stumble under pressure inside the box as Marouane Fellaini and Phil Jones nip at his ankles.

3" Liverpool have the first strike at goal but Sturridge lashes it wide after skipping past Phil Jones.

2" Liverpool on the offensive with Sterling trying to break through in the middle.

1" United get the game underway and lose possession briefly.

The two sides have lined up in the tunnel and we are just minutes away from the kick-off.

Man United boss David Moyes wants his team to put their best foot out at Old Trafford despite 11 points separating the two teams.

"We want to try and play better at Old Trafford than we have done before this season. This is such a big game," he said speaking to SkySports.

There is a lot to play for, according to Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers as United and Liverpool clash for the 44th time in the Premier League.

The final warm ups are taking place.

TEAM NEWS

Liverpool have made one change with Raheem Sterling restored to the starting line-up at the expense of Philippe Coutinho.

Joe Allen continues in midfield. Lucas and Mamadou Sakho are on the bench.

Nemanja Vidic comes in for Chris Smalling in the Manchester United defence. Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata and Adnan Januzaj all start in attack.

STARTING XI

Man United: De Gea, Rafael, Jones, Vidic, Evra; Mata, Fellaini, Carrick, Januzaj; Rooney, van Persie

Subs: Lindegaard, Ferdinand, Cleverley, Kagawa, Valencia, Young, Welbeck

Liverpool: Mignolet, Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Flanagan, Gerrard, Allen, Henderson, Sterling, Suarez, Sturridge

Jones, Sakho, Cissokho, Lucas, Coutinho, Moses, Aspas

PROBABLE FORMATIONS

Man United 4-2-3-1

Liverpool 4-3-3

STAT ATTACK

Man Utd have won their last six home matches against Liverpool in all competitions.

Liverpool have won their last four matches in the Premier League.

PREVIEW

Liverpool could climb to within four points of league-leading Chelsea, with a game in hand.

Four consecutive victories have propelled Liverpool into second place in the Premier League, seven points behind Chelsea with a game in hand, if they make it five at Old Trafford, talk of a first English title since 1990 will look realistic.

Chelsea's fourth defeat of the campaign hands City the advantage in the title race, as Manuel Pellegrini's side now have three games in hand.

It will also give hope to Liverpool and Arsenal, both of whom trail Chelsea by seven points and have two games in hand on Mourinho's side.

Liverpool and Arsenal, who play Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur respectively on Sunday, are in third and fourth places with 59 points.

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