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Man Utd v Liverpool. Battle at Old Trafford Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's second successive Old Trafford goal against Liverpool cancelled out Patrik Berger's long-range opener as Manchester United and Liverpool played out an entertaining 1-1 draw in front of a Premiership record crowd at Old Trafford. 61,592 saw the Norwegian hit-man score with the last kick of the first-half to extend his side's unbeaten run to ten matches against the Anfield outfit. For much of the game this was the defending champions against the defending team. However, Gerard Houllier's emerging team thwarted United's omnipotent attacking options and gave the Red Devils' rearguard some anxious momemts. Old Trafford was a cauldron of noise as the match kicked off under gleaming sunlight and fleeting snow showers. Alex Ferguson had had the luxury of dropping Andy Cole and Teddy Sheringham after their European exploits in midweek - conversely, Houllier had to reshuffle the team that beat Arsenal and Leeds - with Stephen Gerrard suspended. The opening exchanges were typically robust. United threatened as Beckham and then Ole Gunnar Solskjaer shaped up to shoot, but Stephane Henchoz, part of the best defence in the Premiership, flung his body in the way of his angled drive. At the other end, a Titi Camara effort brought a save from Raimond Van der Gouw. Rigobert Song replaced Veggard Heggem after the Norwegian felt a worrying twinge in his left hamstring. Solksjaer headed over from Beckham's pinpoint cross. But, after 27 minutes, it was Liverpool who drew first blood against the run of play. Jaap Stam needlessly fouled his compatriot Erik Meijer on the edge of the box. Moments later Van der Gouw was picking the ball out of the net as Patrik Berger's venomous 30-yard free-kick beat him. Liverpool now played with more freedom. Smicer found Camara but Stam blocked his goal-bound effort. Patrick Berger flashed in a header that Van Der Gouw did well to parry. Sami Hyypia was gashed by a clumsy challenge from Solskjaer and had to go off. Houllier left the nine outfield men on, hoping to get his lofty Finnish stopper back on. The gamble failed, however, as Solskjaer turned deftly to avoid Jamie Carragher's far-post lunge and side-footed past Sander Westerveld in first-half stoppage time. The home side started to turn up the heat in the opening stages of the second-half. Giggs flashed a shot wide, and started to enjoy more space down the left as the Merseysiders tired. The Welshman, so impressive in recent weeks, put Solskjaer through. But Westerveld managed to parry with shot with his backside and Carragher was able to hurtle back to clear. As Liverpool rallied, Camara's astute pass gave Smicer a sight on goal but Van der Gouw to block his shot and if Meijer had leaned back any further he would have bicycle kicked the follow-up. With 14 minutes remaining, Owen came on for Titi Camara, and wasted a clear chance with his very first touch. Fed by Murphy, Owen clipped the ball past Van der Gouw but it span a foot wide of the post. Then Andy Cole was given 11 minutes to make a mark, replacing Solskjaer, while Teddy Sheringham came on for Dwight Yorke. But they were unable to win it for the home side although Sheringham wasted a great chance in injury time. Mikael Silvestre raced down the left and squared a superb low ball to him, but the former Tottenham man's tame side-foot was fingered away by Westerveld. |
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