Manchester United brought to an end three successive league defeats at Liverpool with a 1-1 draw at Anfield. A less than enthralling first half improved after the break with Liverpool taking the lead through the retuning Steven Gerrard, only for substitute Javier Hernandez to level for the visitor's with 10 minutes remaining.
A draw was probably a fair result with Liverpool improving in the second half after United had probably shaded the first 45 minutes.
Davis De Gea in the United goal again looked unsure but proved what a fine shot stopper he is with saves from Luis Suarez and Dirk Kuyt.
In fact it was Suarez who looked the likeliest to score until Gerrard took a free kick in the 68th minute and curled a low shot past the wall and into the goal.
Rio Ferdinand brought down Charlie Adam on the edge of the box for the free kick, although replays suggested the Scotland international dived.
The host's continued to press for a second but were undone from a corner in the 80th minute. Danny Welbeck flicked the ball into the six-yard box were the onrushing Hernandez headed powerfully past Jose Reina.
Liverpool almost regained the lead immediately as De Gea saved from Kuyt and a goalmouth scramble from a corner nearly saw the host's manage a late winner.
Manchester United will probably feel happier with the point whilst Liverpool will be disappointed at not hanging to their narrow advantage.
Referee: Andre Marriner
Venue: Anfield
Attendance: 45,065
Liverpool scorers: Gerrard 68 Man Utd scorers: Hernandez 81
TRIBAL ASKS: Why did Sir Alex Ferguson leave the Premierships leading scorer Wayne Rooney on the bench until after Man United went a goal down?
Yellow cards: Lucas (LIV), Young (MANU), Ferdinand (MANU), Evra (MANU)
Click here to reach the No1 destination for hard news and exciting gossip on Manchester United
