Liverpool continue their 100% start to the season with their third 1-0 win on the trot, this time against arch rivals Manchester United at Anfield.
Birthday boy Daniel Sturridge turned in Daniel Agger's header off a corner after just over three minutes, his third consecutive match winner for the Merseysiders, to give the home side a blistering start against David Moyes' men.
The former Everton manager has never beaten the Reds at home in 12 visits and failed to break that record this afternoon too, handing Brendan Rodgers' men their best league start for 19 years.
The visitors were without Wayne Rooney after the striker suffered a head wound in training and lost Phil Jones due to injury before the break. United were disjointed, controlled and dominated by the home side for most of the first half.
The Red Devils came back stronger after the interval, keeping Reds keeper Simon Mignolet busier, Robin van Persie and Ashley Young creating and producing most pressure and pulling save after save from the 25-year-old Beligian keeper. The £9m summer signing from Sunderland had yet to concede a Premier League goal this season and together with man-of-the-match Agger frustrated the hell out of RVP and co.
The only worry for the home side was Glen Johnson limping off with 13 minutes left after some superb defending including blocking Young's goal-bound shot.
This result ended United's unbeaten run of 13 Premier League away games, a record the Reds were more than happy to put an stop to.
It was a fitting victory for Liverpool as Anfield celebrated the 100th anniversary of legend Bill Shankly's birth, Sturridge adding his part to the party and another reason to celebrate his 24th birthday.
Liverpool Goal: 1.: 3:05 min Daniel Sturridge (15).
Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet; 3 Enrique, 5 Agger, 37 Skrtel, 2 Johnson (47 Wisdom - 79th min); 21 Lucas (booked 90th min), 8 Gerrard; 10 Coutinho (6 Alberto - 84th min), 9 Aspas (booked 35th min; 31 Sterling - 60th min), 14 Henderson; 15 Sturridge. 4-2-3-1
Subs not used: 1 Jones, 33 Ibe, 34 Kelly, 38 Flanagan.
Manchester United Team: 1 De Gea; 3 Evra, 15 Bidic, 5 Ferdinand, 4 Jones (25 Valencia - 37th min); 23 Cleverly (booked 35th min), 16 Carrick (booked 31st min); 19 Welbeck, 11 Giggs (14 Hernandez - 73rd min), 18 Young (booked 59th min) (17 Nani - 63rd min); 20 van Persie (booked 39th min). 4-2-3-1
Subs not used: 8 Anderson, 12 Smalling, 13 Lindegaard, 28 Buttner.
Opta Match Stats: Liverpool-Manchester United
(Attack)
Shots: 11-10
On target: 5-4
Blocked: 3-4
From outside the box: 7-6
From inside the box: 4-4
Shot accuracy: 62.5%-66/7%
(General Play)
Possession: 43%-57%
Duels won: 54.8%-45.2%
Aerial duels won: 38.7%-61.3%
Interceptions: 18-20
Offsides: 1-0
Corners: 2-7
(Distribution)
Total passes: 379-478
Long passes: 14.5%-15.3%
Passing accuracy: 76.3%-82%
Passing accuracy opp. half: 69%-68.7%
Total crosses: 5-32
Successful crosses: 40%-18.8%
(Defence & Discipline)
Tackles: 31-17
Tackles won: 77.4%-76.5%
Clearances: 40-39
Fouls conceded: 15-15
Yellow cards: 2-4
Red cards: 0-0
Referee: Andre Marriner
Man of the match: Daniel Agger
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