United 0 - 3 Liverpool

DDG

Rafael Jones Vidic(s/o) Evra

Januzaj(Welbeck) Fellaini(Clev) Carrick Mata

Rooney RVP

If I'm honest, I thought we were going to win the game and my hopes were given a boost when I saw the starting line up. I thought that was the perfect formation being played by our best XI. When the game started we were doing OK but Liverpool improved throughout the match and there was no way back for us after they scored their second. A 3-0 scoreline is not a fair reflection of the game, Liverpool were better, yes, but certainly not that much better. They won 3 penalties, scored two and they got their third goal after a deflection, so it's fair to say Liverpool were lucky today but that's just the way the game goes. 

So, I'll just mention the big decisions taken by the ref today. 

1st Penalty - Definitely a penalty, Rafael could have easily been shown his second yellow and sent off. I can't understand this guy. Some days he's brilliant and on others he commits reckless challenges and makes rash decisions. Needs to find some sort of consistency. 

Also, we could have been given a penalty late in the first half but the ref didn't see Johnson handle the ball. Having said that, a penalty would have been a bit of a harsh decision but he did touch it. 

2nd Penalty - Clumsy challenge by Jones, he should know better. Did the Liverpool striker make a meal of it? Yes he did. Was it a clear penalty? No. Do I understand why it was given? Yes. 

3rd Penalty - Never in a million billion years was that a penalty. Sturridge dived and Vidic was sent off. At least, justice was served as Gerrard hit the post from the spot. However, with 10 players we were never going to get back in the game and I feared Liverpool were going to run riot and score more goals. They did score another and were denied a fourth by a brilliant De Gea save. 

Overall we were drab and lacked creativity. What's worrying is that we failed to create chances. If I'm not mistaken, we only had one shot on target. That's bad. Really bad. With Mata, Roo and RVP on the pitch you'd expect something better. Moyes needs to up his game and rally his troops. We did well at the back because I thought Suarez and Sturidge were kept out of the game but in the middle of the park Liverpool were better than us and that's where games are won and lost. 

For this year Liverpool have the bragging rights. They've done the double over us and deservedly so. With Chelsea losing yesterday, they are now one point behind the leaders and they've got some easy games coming up so seeing them with the PL crown is now a big big possibility and, believe me, I'd rather walk through a desert, in unbearable heat, for three years than see the scousers win the league. I admire what their manager is doing but can't stand their fans. We'll wait and see what happens...

Olympiakos next. Come on United!