Liverpool did lose their unbeaten record in their last outing in the Premiership a mere eight days ago against run of the mill Reading, but that was the last thing on most fans minds as Liverpool prepared to face Manchester United at Anfield on the back of a 4-0 away victory over Marseille. The Reading result was felt as a mere blip, almost acceptable considering the big game in three days time against the French side. At the end of the match it was the 4-0 victory’s turn to feel so far away as Liverpool lost their unbeaten home record to Manchester United of all teams.

The first half was a cagey affair as you would expect, Liverpool having slightly better chances which ultimately came from a couple of Van Der Sar’s mistakes. The chances were not taken and at the forty-second minute the reds were hit by a sucker punch through a Tevez goal. Liverpool had the whole second half to react but even though attack they did they very rarely threatened seriously to save something from this match. It was the substitute Babel who came closer when after a fine run he attempted a vicious shot which only finished a couple of inches wide to their goal.

This has been Rafael’s fourth duel at Anfield against the bitterest of rivals, and the record speaks for itself. One scoreless draw and you know the rest. This manager who has given us the European Cup in unforgettable circumstances in his first season in charge is finding the three points against the parochial Ferguson beyond his reach. There have been alarming similarities in the three defeats against them at Anfield, most notably the drought of goals. After four goals in the previous match, and twenty-seven goals in sixteen Premiership matches, a solitary goal at the very least wasn’t exactly asking for a glass of cold water in a desert. Considering also the form of the new signing Torres it was more like asking for a drink from a friendly bartender. Torres was seen as the main difference in Liverpool this time from the earlier Rafael Benitez sides but unfortunately he failed to make the desired impact and looked a shadow of himself.

The final whistle left me mute, hardly a complaint coming from my lips, and with hands in my pockets. The second half performance looked like an eager youngster eager to impress on his debut but that still needs to develop, leaving you with more questions than answers. Talking on youngsters and reflecting on the whole season so far takes me back to Gerard Houllier’s first full season when the French boss had two youngsters in the name of David Thompson and Steven Gerrard. We all know how they both developed in the past eight years. So far our Premiership campaign looks more like the former’s season back then, promising at times but eventually found short against the big guns. The Steven Gerrard side of Liverpool is yet to materialize, got to be now rushed as soon as possible, and with the circumstances dictating to be away from home.