Premier League: Liverpool 1 Manchester United 2

Manchester United ensured Liverpool remain winless in the Premier League, after collecting a controversial 2-1 win at Anfield.

Jonjo Shelvey’s red card with six minutes until half-time threatened to derail the attacking dominance that Brendan Rodgers’ side possessed for the first 40 minutes, but Steven Gerrard’s volley propelled them into the lead in the first minute of the second half.

The visitors responded with an immediate equaliser – right-back Rafael curling a corker into the top corner from inside the box.

An undermanned Liverpool continued to battle but, with 10 minutes left, Robin van Persie ended United’s recent poor form from penalties by converting a spot-kick to give Sir Alex Ferguson’s side a win and leave the hosts stranded in the relegation zone.

The theme before the game was unity: the two managers conducting a joint interview and Patrice Evra and Luis Suarez shaking hands despite their embittered history. But on the pitch and in the stands the passionate rivalry was as fierce as ever.

Buoyed by a rousing rendition of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ in memory of the 96 football fans who died at Hillsborough 23 years ago, Liverpool were by far the stronger team from kick-off.

Suarez forced Anders Lindegaard into an early save from close range then an unmarked Gerrard made the side-netting ripple with a low shot from a cleverly worked corner.

The Reds’ attacking continued as United’s passing accuracy plummeted – Suarez was at the centre of most moves and gave centre-backs Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans a torrid time.

The home side suffered a set-back on the 39-minute mark though when Shelvey was sent off for a lunging, studs-up challenge on Evans. It was a reckless challenge that undoubtedly deserved a card, though many would argue it only merited a yellow.

If any Reds supporters were worried their team would lessen their grip on the game, those fears was temporarily dispelled when Gerrard chested down 15 yards from goal and rifled a volley home, cuing scenes of jubilation.

However, Rafael showed why United should never be underestimated regardless of a poor performance, curling sublimely into the top left-hand corner to level the scoring five minutes after the opener.

Paul Scholes – a half-time change for the anonymous Nani – helped bring stability and passing sensibility to a midfield which lacked mobility in the first half.

Suarez, an energetic force throughout, forced a super save to Lindegaard’s right with a low effort not long after and substitute Suso fired marginally over inside the 18-yard box.

But the home side’s hopes were dashed when Glen Johnson clattered into the back of Antonio Valencia in a United counterattack and gave away a penalty in the visitors’ favour.

Having missed from the spot at Southampton earlier this season, van Persie made no mistake in scoring United’s eventual winner by driving to the right as goalkeeper Pepe Reina got a hand on it could not tip it wide.

At the other end, Martin Kelly was gifted a gilt-edged chance to score the Reds’ second but his header inside the box from Johnson’s cross was headed wide by the right-back.