Liverpool beat Man United

Liverpool's Steven Gerrard, centre, celebrates with teammate Luis Suarez after scoring against Manchester United during their English Premier League soccer match at Old Trafford Stadium, Manchester, England, Sunday March 16. (AP Photo)
 
OLD TRAFFORD, MARCH 16 (AGENCIES): Liverpool produced another performance for the ages by beating rivals Manchester United 3-0 at Old Trafford on Sunday, with the talismanic Steven Gerrard converting twice from the spot to inspire his team yet again. The midfielder dispatched two of the most perfect penalties you will ever see - one in either half - to single-handedly ensure that Brendan Rodgers' high-flying side returned to Merseyside with all three points.

Luis Suarez added gloss to a phenomenal display when a Daniel Sturridge drive deflected handily into his run into the area, and the Uruguayan made no mistake with an unerring finish past David De Gea to complete the game.

When the teamsheets were handed in an hour before kick-off, it was confirmed that Rodgers had made a single alteration to his starting XI from the win at Southampton 15 days ago - Raheem Sterling replaced Philippe Coutinho.

A bright start from the visitors brought a chance for Sturridge on two minutes, as the No.15 collected a neat through ball by Jordan Henderson but clipped a strong effort off target from an ever narrowing angle on the right.

Neither side could quite maintain a rhythm during the opening quarter-hour, although Robin van Persie threatened after taking control of a Marouane Fellaini delivery to the back post; each of the Dutchman's attempts were blocked, though.

As the game approached the 30-minute mark, an inviting opportunity presented itself to Joe Allen. Sturridge skipped inside from the right and looked to play in Suarez, only for the ball to bounce out for the Welshman, who mistimed the hit, allowing De Gea to take with ease.

Within five minutes, however, the Spanish goalkeeper was picking the ball out of his own net. When a cross reached Suarez on the left wing, the Uruguayan looked to skip inside Rafael Da Silva in the penalty area and was stopped by an obvious handball.

The referee pointed to the spot instantly and the travelling fans waited with quiet confidence as the skipper stood over the penalty - in trademark calm fashion, Gerrard sent the strike gliding into the side-netting of the corner to hand the Reds an advantage.