Liverpool ended a run of four successive defeats in the best way possible with a 2-0 win over title rivals Manchester United at Anfield. United keeper Edwin van der Sar had kept the visitor's in the game twice denying Fabio Aurelio and Dirk Kuyt but was helpless for the two second half goals.
Fernando Torres opened the scoring on 65 minutes and whilst Antonio Valencia hit the crossbar the hosts were deserved winners.
Michael Owen returned to Anfield and was greeted with a chorus of boos as he entered the field as a substitute.
The former Kop hero was then denied as last defender Jamie Carragher brought him down but the officials decided against dismissing the Reds defender, to the disgust of the Old Trafford bench.
Nemanja Vidic and later Javier Mascherano saw red for second bookable offences in the final couple of minutes.
Late in stoppage time, and with United pushing forward for an equaliser, Liverpool broke quickly and David Ngog calmly slotted the ball beyond Van der Sar.