Compelling Soccer

Well they needed this.

If there was a question about Rafa's job security it should be answered for at least one week with this inspiring effort. Fernando Torres made it clear he's the most irreplaceable man in the Premiership, if not in soccer in general, as his goal was the game winner. Yossi Benayoun proved how much of a difference maker he could be. And perhaps Liverpool showed the faults of loyalty in this one; Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand were both abused. The United vets looked old. Even Ryan Giggs was rendered a non factor.

Liverpool's shot at a title still look dim. However, they can certainly play themselves back into the 10- 11 Champions League picture. This was a great first step. Once Steven Gerrard returns, they can go forward with new confidence, knowing they're a damn good side without him and one of the best with him.

Match Ratings:

Pepe Reina, 8: Had a strong game. The announcers said he wasn't tested as much as Van Der Sar, which is fair. However he was sure handed when he was tested, not allowing rebounds and knowing where to be on free kicks. Solid performance.

Emiliano Insua, 7: Good game for the left back. He contributed to the offense more than Glen Johnson did, but in typical Insua fashion, seemed to do more in the first half than he did in the second. Still, he deserves props for keeping the dangerous Valencia under check on the wing.

Daniel Agger, 8: He was quieter than Carragher, but just as strong in the center. I don't remember any plays that stood out, but that's good for a defenseman when Berbatov and Rooney also get shut down.

Jaime Carragher, 8: Carragher stood out a bit more than Agger did as he lived dangerously in the first half with a risky slide tackle on Michael Carrick in the box. He also yanked down Owen in the second half for a yellow. But today he was in position and made a few nice plays to break up runs. The fill in captain answered his critics today as he took advantage of the match up. Neither Rooney nor Berbatov are burners and it helped Carragher a great deal today.

Glen Johnson, 8: I knocked him in the first half, but that was a touch unfair. Johnson is a defender first and he did his job well today. Giggs and Evra tried to work magic on their left side. But it was for not; Johnson shut them down. He had the best one on one tackle of the match as he took the ball off Rooney clean late in the game.

Javier Mascherano, 7: His cards were stupid and he fouled in some dangerous positions. That knocks down the rating a tad. But Liverpool's midfield controlled the play and he gets credit for that.

Lucas, 9: The best game I've seen him play this season and from what the announcers were saying, it might have been up there for his career. He was involved in creating chances all day long and helped set up the second goal which iced it. Perhaps there is hope for him after all.

Fabio Aurelio, 8: He was best on free kicks as he had the best one of the match in the first half. His corners were solid. But he couldn't finish a golden chance from Benayoun and didn't seem to be able to get involved in the offense otherwise. Attacks went through Benayoun and Kuyt. A good effort, but won't make anyone forget Stevie G.

Dirk Kuyt, 8: Harried the Manchester defense all day. Was good with his passing and was involved in both goals. Kuyt always seems to know where to be which is why he makes for such a strong running mate to Torres up top. However, he doesn't finish like a top draw striker, which is why he can only be a running mate and not the lead in Torres' absence.

Yossi Benayoun, 10: Best player on the field today. He set up the first goal with a great pass to Torres, threading it past through two United defenders. He was what Stevie G normally is. United had no answer for the havoc he caused and might have had a couple of more assists if some players finished better.

Fernando Torres, 8: He struggled at times in the first half, trying to regain his form while getting beaten up by the physical United defense. But he turned it on when it mattered. His strike had all his trademarks; the pace necessary to make it happen, the well timed run, the strength to continue on even as Rio Ferdinand fouled him the whole way. Then the power the drive it top shelf on Van der Sar. Magnificent strike.

Subs:

David Ngog, 5: He worked hard, but was largely ineffective. He got the goal that capped it though. It wasn't it a great strike, he was 1 v 1 on Van der Sar, but he finished it nonetheless.

Martin Skrtel, NA: Didn't play long enough to get a true rating. Had a nervous moment when he attempted to play a ball, but the ball ended up going through Reina anyway.

The Steven Gerrard Stand up and Be Counted Award: Yossi Benayoun and boy did he ever earn it. This means extra with the captain out and Benayoun did his best Gerrard impersonation today. The only thing he didn't do was take free kicks, but who cares? In a game against the titans, Benayoun stood above them all.

The Brian Ching Stand up and Do Nothing Award: No one. I can't in good conscience give this out today. Everyone did something positive in this one.

Entertainment Rating, 9: Compelling Soccer. Liverpool was the better side, but there were tense moments throughout. The pressure was evident and Liverpool played like a team with their backs against the wall. The celebration over Ngog's goal showed how much it meant for them. I did an arm raised cheer when Torres broke the deadlock. Thrilling affair.