Manchester U 1 Liverpool 0:DEFEAT BY Manchester United can never be met with a shrug from Liverpool but they need not be in despair over this result in the FA Cup. With Kenny Dalglish in charge after the dismissal of Roy Hodgson, they persevered despite a red card for their captain, Steven Gerrard, in the first half. There always has to be a wariness about the type of stubbornness shown by the losers in these circumstances.
They retained some belief in themselves despite going behind to a Ryan Giggs penalty in the second minute. That engendered even more encouragement among their fans and, while that was also a way of demonstrating that spirit and pride are still intact, it was also a means of insisting that, even in these bad days, they do not accept themselves as a lesser being even when pitted against a United team pursuing three trophies with real intent.
Jonny Evans almost added to the Giggs penalty but his header came back off the post on the verge of the interval.
The match had barely begun when Daniel Agger made a needless challenge on Dimitar Berbatov near the corner of the penalty area at the byline. There was a pause before the Bulgarian fell to earth but an offence had been committed and the reaction of the man who has been fouled is of no relevance. Giggs converted the kick to Pepe Reina’s left.
Given the woe of recent times, it was natural that Dalglish should think of turning back the clock and the line-up was almost entirely composed of players who were on the books before the appointment of Hodgson. The difference, even so, was not dramatic and that opening to the game left them just as beleaguered as they had been of late.
Liverpool needed to steady themselves but their captain added to the handicap by getting himself sent off in the 32nd minute. Instinctiveness is often a strength for Gerrard but he surely knows there is no sense in making a two-footed challenge in an innocuous area of the pitch. He did so anyway and connected with Michael Carrick. Howard Webb’s verdict was inevitable, although it would have been preferable if he had not made such a production out of the episode before dispatching the midfielder to the stand.
It could be that Dalglish will rue the absence of the captain for three matches more than this result. As the team’s leader, Gerrard presumably wanted to set an example. The midfielder did go to the limit and beyond but in the process he carried himself outside the game. If there is another member of the line-up who can inspire, it is Fernando Torres, despite the fact that this is far from being a golden campaign for him.
With 20 minutes to go Dalglish took off the Spaniard and sent on David Ngog in his stead. The stands were full of derision but there is nothing much to be read into the removal of Torres. His supply of possession was meant to come from Gerrard and, when the captain had gone, Torres was reduced to working without hope. It is a tall order in the January window but Dalglish badly needs flair if the morale of Torres is not to be harmed further.
Adversity at least brought out the best in the visitors after the interval as they strove to recover and involve the United goalkeeper, Tomasz Kuszczak. The away support responded strongly, warming to the endeavour and pride of a depleted side.
United, nonetheless, were methodical. This tie would have been a trial for Liverpool at any time. United have had better teams than this one but its reliability has to be recognised. While Liverpool lacked the means to cause havoc, United will be formidable whenever Rio Ferdinand as here – or Nemanja Vidic – is at the core of the defence.
The occasion still had some benefit for the losers. In view of Gerrard’s red card, the loss was an honourable one that shunned self-pity. Liverpool now withdraw to consider wider matters. This club has a heritage that demands glory be restored in the times to come. A modest beginning might have been made here, where pride was always plentiful even if elite footballers are in limited supply.
