Man Utd 1-0 Liverpool

The triumphant return of King Kenny proved to be something of a damp squib as a contentious penalty decision took the sting out of a potentially combustible encounter at Old Trafford. United were awarded a penalty with just 31 seconds on the clock as Dimitar Berbatov crumpled under minimal contact from Daniel Agger. It was a silly challenge on the touchline with the striker going nowhere and there remains some debate about whether there was even a touch on the Bulgarian. Either way, the current climate will see a player hit the deck any time a player hangs out a leg – and so it proved as Berbatov went sprawling. Ryan Giggs duly despatched the spot-kick.

The half could have ended as spectacularly as it started as the much maligned Jonny Evans – who grew into the game as it went on – smashed a header against the post from a flighted corner kick. It would perhaps have been harsh on Liverpool who had weathered United’s early possession effectively and might even argue that they’d enjoyed the better chances. But in truth it was a scrappy forty-five minutes with nobody covering themselves in glory.

Dalglish won instant credit from the travelling fans by dropping Paul Konchesky from the match-day squad. But his creditable decision to restore Steven Gerrard to an attacking position off Fernando Torres was sadly doomed to failure once the Liverpool captain launched himself into a reckless two-footed challenge on Michael Carrick. Admittedly the ball was there to be won, but Gerrard was off the floor, out of control and clattered into the United midfielder. Only the most myopic Koppite could argue with Howard Webb’s decision.

With United in cruise-control following the interval, Dalglish sent Jonjo Shelvey and Ryan Babel into the fray. At last, the urgency which Liverpool had been lacking was injected into proceedings. A few purposeful runs and forays into Mancunian territory resulted in Fabio Aurelio sweeping a majestic kick towards the top-corner. Tomas Kusczcak was equal to it and turned it around the post.

The substitutions were certainly the catalyst required. Suddenly the game became stretched and Liverpool threatened sporadically. United, however, continued to create the better chances. Javier Hernandez flashed a header wide, Reina blocked Berbatov at close range and from the resulting corner a bout of pinball saw Reds defenders throwing themselves into brave blocks and sliding tackles. Reina ultimately tipped over from Patrice Evra and the danger passed. It will have been heartening for Liverpool fans to have seen a level of desire and commitment which was often missing (even with eleven men) under Roy Hodgson.

In the end, the writing was on the wall for Liverpool following that controversial early penalty. But the Reds’ display really does call into question their professionalism. The same players rarely expended so much energy under their previous manager and it doesn’t reflect well on them that a different face in the dugout elicited such a change in attitude. Carry on like this, however, and the Hodgson-induced malaise may soon be forgotten. United, meanwhile, were able to play within themselves and took the spoils without getting out of second gear - they stroll on unbeaten.