Man Utd 0-3 Liverpool

by Simon Williams

at Old Trafford

Manchester United's dire season sank to a new low as they gifted Liverpool their first victory at Old Trafford in five years yesterday.

Steven Gerrard declared the Reds "genuine contenders" for the title after they closed the gap on Chelsea at the top of the table to just four points.

Gerrard scored two spot-kicks, missed a third and Luis Suarez netted his 25th goal of the season in a win which underlined the gulf in quality between the sides.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers played down his side's title hopes, saying: "We have nine game left. We could win all nine and still lose it.

"We have better things to talk about like improving and getting better. We don't lose sleep over it."

But Gerrard vowed: "We are going to fight to the end for this."

The Liverpool captain gave his side the lead from the penalty spot on 34 minutes after Rafael, who was lucky not to have been given his marching orders, handled in the area.

It was the first time Manchester United had conceded a Premier League penalty at Old Trafford since December 2011.

And just seconds after the restart Gerrard doubled the lead, again from the spot, after Phil Jones had bundled into Joe Allen.

On a day of unwelcome records for United it consigned them to a ninth league defeat - equalling the most they have ever suffered - and was first time they have ever conceded two penalties at home in the Premier League.

Gerrard could have scored Liverpool's first hat-trick at Old Trafford since 1936 after Nemanja Vidic was adjudged to have fouled Daniel Sturridge in the box.

The United captain was dismissed for a second yellow card but Gerrard could only hit the post - to the pleasure of the Old Trafford faithful who believed Sturridge had made the most of the challenge.

However Luis Suarez sealed the victory when he slotted home from close range late on, shortly after being denied by David de Gea.

The pressure continues to build on United manager David Moyes, whose side could only muster a single shot on target - a Wayne Rooney effort kept out by a top save from Simon Mignolet during a strong spell in the five minutes before half-time.

This time last year United were 29 points ahead of Liverpool. They are now 14 behind.

Liverpool's fans rubbed Moyes's nose in it towards the end, unfurling a banner that hailed the United boss as a "football genius."

A deflated Moyes conceded: "We didn't play well. Liverpool deserved the victory.

"Some decisions were correct, some were incorrect. But overall we're disappointed.

"I felt the players looked in good shape, in good fettle, but we just didn't quite get to the standards that were require to beat Liverpool today," said Moyes.