Liverpool 1-2 Manchester United

A late Robin van Persie penalty completed a Manchester United comeback as they clinched a 2-1 win over ten man Liverpool at Anfield.

This day was always going to be about more than just a football match as it also marked Liverpool's first game at Anfield since the outcome of the Hillsborough inquiry. The 96 fans who were lost their lives on that fateful day in 1989 were marked with a few poignant moments before kick-off with Sir Bobby Charlton presenting a bouquet to Anfield hero Ian Rush on the pitch. Events seemed to have sparked Brendan Rogers' side into real action as they began quickly and for the opening half hour it was one way traffic as Manchester United struggled to get going. However, the real drama began in the 38th minute as Jonjo Shelvey lunged recklessly at Jonny Evans and received his marching orders. Liverpool were outraged though as they felt Evans had also lunged dangerously into the challenge. The ten men started quickly again after the break and were rewarded as United failed to clear a Suso cross and it was left for Steven Gerrard to chest down and volley home. The goal must have been the kick United needed to get started and they responded within five minutes as Shinji Kagawa chested the ball down and Rafael Da Silva curled a superb left footed half volley into the top corner that clipped the inside of the post on the way in. Luis Suarez felt he should have had a penalty after colliding with Evans around the hour mark but referee Mark Halsey was not having any of it. The official did point to the spot on 75 minutes though after Antonio Valencia darted between Daniel Agger and Glen Johnson, who collided with each other, before running the length of the Liverpool half only for Johnson to bring him down as he went to pull the trigger. The collision between Agger and Johnson left the Liverpool centre-back requiring a stretcher and there was a five minute delay while Robin van Persie waited to take the spot kick. It was to the United striker's great credit that he dealt with the nerves and slammed his penalty high to Pepe Reina's left and it crept inside the post. The ten men of Liverpool couldn't find a response and captain Steven Gerrard was out on his feet as the final whistle blew. The result will be a great fillet to United but for Liverpool it will be tough to take having dominated the game throughout.