Liverpool 2 Man United 1

This is one game that neither team will want to lose. In the end, the Reds overcame the Red Devils. United started really well, finding the net in just 2min into the game. Debutant Berbatov cleverly passed the ball to Tevez to fire in the opening goal. United then continued to dominate possession. Then, a deflected shot caught Van der Sar off position. He then tried punching the ball away with one hand, which he should have caught the ball with 2 hands. The punched ball hit the oncoming Brown on his shin and into his own goal. Disastrous. Liverpool managed to pull level into the half. 

Berbatov was on everyone's lips before this game. Everyone expected a performance from him on his debut. However, high profile players do not normally perform at their top level on their debut. Berbatov knows what is expected of him and that everyone around the world will be watching his performance. At this point, pressure is sure to come in and it really did. Berbatov was a forlorn figure after his assist in the first goal. He saw very little of the ball and even if he did, he produced nothing special. This is one debut he would want to forget. On the contrary, Liverpool's debutant, Riera (N0t a high profile player.) had a decent debut. He runs caused Brown a few problems. See the difference?

In the 2nd half, Liverpool became a totally different side. They started running at the United's defence. In the 77th min, subsitute Ryan Babel scored the winner after a defensive error by Ryan Giggs. Giggs was shielding the ball off Masherano and just when Giggs thought the ball haf gone out of play, Masherano touched the ball back into play. He found Kuyt, who then passed the ball to an unmarked Babel to shoot in the winner. United were further damaged when Vidic got sent off after a 2nd bookable offence. Just not United's day ya. Gerrard and Torres did not even start. And so, Rafa Benitez has recorded his 1st win over United as Liverpool manager and gave the champions their 1st league defeat. Ronaldo needs to be at his best when he is back, Berbatov better finds his form soon and Fergie should stop playing Rooney off position. United started badly too last season but pulled off in the end, hopefully the fans will see a repeat. C'mon UNITED!!

benj