Unlike the game against Chelsea, I'm less than optimistic. Although Man Utd haven't been in the best form away from home this season, I can't remember the last time they lost back-to-back games. Ok lets dispense with superstition then and look at what we can see on paper. I think Lucas has a key role to play in this encounter. Berbatov and Rooney are in smashing form and we'll need to cut their supply line. It's why I don't fancy playing 5 at the back. I'd rather have more bodies in midfield.

What a glorious morning but before I start to speak about the highlights of the game, I’d like to establish a fact especially to mancs who keep telling me we won because they didn’t turn up. We played well and we made them look poor – this is fact!

Tactics
I posted before the game that we should adopt a more positive approach to this game instead of reverting to playing 5 at the back and I was delighted to see King Kenny adopt a more positive formation. The mancs were shorthanded at the back and we simply had to capitalize. Make no mistake about it, Kuyt didn’t start as a winger, he played up front with Suarez. Both have excellent movement off the ball and along with Mereiles, they often bamboozled the Man Utd defence with some intelligent running, and quick passing. By holding them further up the park instead of inviting pressure like we did against West Ham, we made Scholes and Carrick look pedestrian.

Dalglish favours 5-a-sides during training and the effects of this are clear as day. The link-up play was at times, magnificent. We passed, and we moved to the Liverpool groove.

Standout Performers
Luis Suarez – I must admit that I was apprehensive about him especially after his antics at the last World Cup. Did we sign a cheat much like we did when we signed Diouf? Well, whilst Diouf has gone on to further justify mankind’s disgust with him, Suarez endears himself to me which each passing week. It hit a chord with me when he returned to Ajax to give his adoring fans a proper goodbye. His character was given some credibility when the Ajax fans sang “You’ll Never Walk Alone” in his honour. In his interviews, he has time and time again, reiterated his desire to do well for us and to work his socks off. On the pitch, he has proven that this is true. He was at the centre of everything good for us. He dropped deep to pick up the ball when needed and he combined well with Kuyt and Mereiles in particular. He has also shown a willingness to run and work when we aren’t in possession much like Kuyt. He is indeed a tricky individual and his close control is nothing short of impressive as his role in our first goal suggests. Not only that, how many would dare tell Mr. Liverpool, Steven Gerrard to let him take the free kick instead? Suarez constantly communicates with the rest of the team and I admire a lad who has input, even if he is new to the team.

Dirk Kuyt – I don’t think any of his goals came from more than 3 yards out but like I said before, I’d much rather we score simple tap-ins and 30 yard rockets, because the former indicates that we managed to break down the defence. Fans questioned his goalscoring ability especially since he arrived from Feyenoord with a big reputation. To be fair however, Rafa played him mostly as a winger. Those who remember however will note that at one stage, he played in a more advance role and he bagged a fair share of goals and he did the same last night.

Martin Skrtel – Hasn’t had the best of seasons if you ask me and yet he’s picked to start each time he’s fit. Last night, I thought he won his duel against Berbatov. The Bulgarian had few clear opportunities with exception of the one that grazed the post, and his run that was called back for offside. Skrtel stood strong and won the aerial duel at least. He was clearly up for this match. Just look at how he reacted when Rafael went in two footed against Lucas. Everyone knows that Skrtel is one tough SOB but last night, he showed us he can play a bit as well.

Mereiles – Made a few intelligent runs behind the United’s back four and linked up really well with Suarez in particular. Looks to be in his element being played ahead of Gerrard in a more attacking role. I doubt anyone would thrust him out wide right again.

Lucas – Prior to the match I picked him as one who would play an important role in breaking down United’s attacks and stemming the flow of ammo to Berbatov and Rooney. I think Lucas looked assured in midfield. He was instrumental in his role, stopping United’s advances and playing the ball out of our half.

THE KOP! – Games against the mancs often bring the best out of the fans and last night was no exception. The Anfield faithful were in full voice throughout and how nice was it that they sang “Happy Birthday” to King Kenny? The gaffer could only flash a shy smile as he applauded them. I can’t remember fans of any club doing this prior. Each time I hear chants of “Dalglish”, I get goosebumps.

Camaraderie
Tell you what, I don’t like to do this but for those who lambasted me in the past for wanting Dalglish to come in for Rafa, I hope you see why now. Was it because Rafa was shite? No it was because Dalglish was the only person who could bring the club, its fans and the players together again. Each time there was a fracas, the players were there for one another. When Lucas got upended, Skrtel wasn’t shy in letting Rafael know what he thought of that challenge. When Carra went in on Nani, even Reina came out of his goal to try to defuse the situation. Stevie G himself acted like a captain should as he stood between his teammates and the ref. Up until Dalglish’s appointment, he would regularly sulk and watch the confrontations.

Carra’s ChallengeOn any other given day, you’d have bet on a red card. His only saving grace was he didn’t go lunging in with two feet off the ground. Having said that, an experienced player like himself should have known better than to take such a risk when Nani wasn’t even in a threatening position. Credit to Carra though, he went to apologise to Nani personally after the game.

Carra not being sent off however DOES NOT mean I think we were lucky to win because at that point we were already two goals up, and if Carra were sent off, Rafael would surely have been flashed a red for his two footed lunge on Lucas. Two wrongs don’t make a right and in the end, both players were lucky not to have received cards of a different colour.

In conclusion, I have to say that the best team won. YNWA!

I sympathize with Nani but it's hard given how much he play acts. Having said that, it was a bad challenge and it was a bad gash. I don't believe in mocking players who succumb to serious injuries but I must say that at the same time, his over-dramatisation made me choke. Yes it was a bad challenge and yes, it hurt but he was clearly trying his best to milk it for all it was worth, hoping to get Carra sent off.

Here's a question though. Where were Nani's shin pads?

Whilst Carra's high boot and Rafael's two footed assault were seperate incidents, you can't help but feel Phil Dowd felt compelled to only issue a yellow for the latter because of his 'leniency' in the case of the former.

I'm reading various websites and some say that Carra's challenge was THAT bad and that he is THAT kind of player. Now we all know it was a bad challenge but when was the last time Carra injured another player? Anyone? Carra is passionate and this was a passionate encounter. To suggest that he is a dirty player is absurd. Having had his own leg broken by Lucas Neill, he knows better than do deliberately injure a fellow professional. Unjustified label if you ask me.

Reminds me of a time I went to play paintball and refused to put on a vest. Needless to say, I didn't repeat the feat ever.

Precisely. If he was a dirty player and he intended to incapacitate Nani, why would he bother to apologize after the game?

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Added on March 7, 2011, 3:18 pmLucas Neil

This post has been edited by Duke Red: Mar 7 2011, 03:18 PM

Rush of blood to the head after being dared. My brain shut itself down for a moment and yes, " I wanted to tunjuk macho"

Here's a milestone to remember. While Carroll didn't score on his debut, he won his first header in his first ever attempt in a red shirt. When the freekick was swung in, it always felt like he was a dead certainty to get his head to it, powering it towards goal. Laid one off for Kuyt as well didn't he? Too bad is volley went awry.

Kyrgiakos is pretty decent in the air eh? They mispelt his name on his kit last night. Spelt it "Kygriakos" instead.

On the Carra issue, I've read comments indicating that he is a dirty player but no one seems to have any evidence to back it up. I've followed him since his first game for us, and he has always been a model professional.

Ah here it is. Even the printers have problems spelling his name.


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You are referring to his 2nd header which was the knockdown to Kuyt. His first header came courtesy of a free kick. Was his first touch after coming on.

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Added on March 7, 2011, 7:58 pmOh a Dalglish a defender? Don't follow

This post has been edited by Duke Red: Mar 7 2011, 07:58 PM

Sorry but what pray tell is wrong with talking about a game even if it's done and dusted? It was a big win.

I'm noticing a lot of activity on the Man Utd thread regarding comments we've made on ours. Usually I'd pop over to face these accusations head on but after 5 or so years on this forum, I've come to realise that there are only a handful of posters who fully comprehend the concept of "discussion" so I'll post here instead. I'll ignore the "Vidic can beat up Skrtel" argument because I think it's highly irrelevant to football. Both are from parts of the world not alien to war and both look like they were dropped on their faces when they were young. So naturally, big, ugly looking guys must be hard as nails. Well I've seen a few live fights to know that this isn't true. Hence, the argument of which ugly looking thug and best which ugly looking thug will have no conclusion unless both ugly looking thugs decide to square up toe-to-toe one fine day.

What caught my eye is accusations that we are hypocrites for giving Suarez props. Ok firstly, it wasn't ALL posters who claimed he was a cheat. It was predominantly madmoz and myself who were sceptical of him. Everyone else was pretty amped. What you may have missed is that I also said, he'll be given a chance to redeem himself. Unlike El Hadji Diouf who continues to justify accusations of him being a cheat, Luis Suarez is making accusers look more and more foolish. Since the 'incident', he's shown class by going back to Ajax to say goodbye to the fans properly, and he's shown immense work ethic on the pitch. I've read comments from Ajax fans giving testament to his character. If anything, one incident doesn't make a person and if Suarez continues to display a good attitude, is he not worthy of redemption? Heck, Rooney went from hero to zero to hero again in a span of a month didn't he?

Unlike some, I don't mind admitting I'm wrong when shown proof. I didn't think Carra would make the grade and I thought Lucas would be a perennial flop. I've been proven wrong, gladly and I won't mind being proven wrong again.

Anyone going for the Master's tournament in Bukit Jalil this Sunday then? I'll be going along with 35-40 other Liverpool fans. Got a good deal on the tickets. Looking forward to see 'God' in the flesh, along with Macca and Paddy.

Was just about to post this. So the media wasn't the only thing they blacked out then. I can understand their frustration at Carra not being sent off but if you look at how Carra conducted himself throughout the whole process, he knows he was at fault. It takes a big man to extend an apology but it takes a bigger man to accept it. If anyone is going to comment on this last statement of mine, please think about it and understand what I mean before doing so.

Will is going to pick the tickets up from FootballFocus tomorrow so ya better make up your mind pronto

Cisse suffered a broken leg, and so did Carra and Warnock but let us isolate each incident.

What I don't understand it allegations that Carra is dirty. I swear people who say this don't watch football because when I asked for example to indicate that he is dirty, there were none. I may be biased but I cannot honestly remember a time Carra seriously injured a fellow professional. He is a model player and loves football. He is passionate and hard but fair.

It is difficult to compliment an opponent and I don't expect less mature folk to be able to do so. I think model professionals should be recognised regardless of which club they play for. Gary Lineker was a model pro but just because he played for Spurs, Arsenal fans should hate him regardless? Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs are model pros but should I not acknowledge them just because they are pros? I've been following their careers for longer than many mancs and I can't remember a time either was caught out partying with prostitutes, or hosted orgies like their more glamorous teammates e.g. Rio Ferdinand. Carra is cut from the same cloth. He studies football videos and spends his spare time with his family, shunning the celebrity styled limelight. He is so committed to the game that when he had his leg broken by Lucas Neill, he initially refused to accept that he couldn't continue because he had a genuine belief he was letting the team down. Lucas Neill didn't even apologise for the incident. Carra in contrast went over the Man Utd dressing room in person to apologise for a much less serious injury. That puts things in perspective, no? In Istanbul, he continued to soldiered on in extra time despite being crippled by excruciating cramps. Did he complain on either occassion? No.

Carra is a good honest pro and I dare anyone to prove otherwise.

Can't access it either. Let me know when you've made your mind up then, or just message Will directly if you have his number.

Vidic is better than Skrtel without a doubt. Yes whilst Skrtel shoved a little prick like Rafael about, Vidic picks on bigger blokes and even Evans has kicked Drogba in the chest. So all of a sudden we're condoning physical assault then?

Sequence of events.

1) Carra hits Nani with a high tackle in the shin.
2) Nani goes down but bounces back up to remonstrate to Phil Dowd in an attempt to get Carra sent off.
3) Nani goes back down again, this time in tears after making his point.
4) Carra receives a yellow much to the disgust of Nani and his mates.
5) Carra goes in to personally (no SMS, newspaper or written apology) apologise to Nani but was refused entry by the Man Utd staff.
6) Nani is now angry that no one from the club has publicy criticised Carra (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/891000/angry-nani-out-for-up-to-a-month---report?cc=4716).

Seriously, Carra was wrong no doubt hence him extending an apology. I felt sympathy for Nani initially despite his fondness for rolling around on grass but now I'm getting a little annoyed. The whining has not stopped and his decision to continue to moan is consistent with his antics at Anfield. Seriously, take it like a man. If you have an issue, let Carra come apologise in person and sort your shit out face-to-face. There is no need to be angry at the club for not moaning like you are.