Liverpool rolled in the profits, as Rodgers men took advantage of a frail Manchester United side. Gerrard slotted in two penalties to see off any challenge from United, while Luis Suarez cooly silenced the Old Trafford crowd, with a tidy finish to see off the game in style
Liverpool came into the game, dubbed as outsider, although they were on the back of some impressive victories, including a humiliation, of the then leaders, Arsenal. A huge test awaited Gerrard and company, as they aimed to over come the stats and the past, and come out winners at Old Trafford.
The reds began with a 4-4-2 diamond formation, limiting Moyes' men in midfield, while giving them the attacking presence to do damage to United's season. Flanagan and Agger kept their places in the Liverpool back four, amidst rumours of Cissokho and Sakho regaining their starting place following the latter's recovery from a hamstring injury. Allen kept his place in this Liverpool machine, expertly adding his passing and pressing to this Liverpool side. Sterling took the place of Coutinho, while the staggering partnership of Suarez and Sturrdige took their places at the front of the Liverpool side.
Man United went with an attacking line up, with Moyes fielding his attacking quartet of Januzaj, Mata, Rooney and Van Persie. David Moyes stated before the game that his side were the underdogs in this encounter, while Rodgers picked the game out as one that could end United season already. The prematch antics were over, and the football began.
With neither side taking advantage of the sloppiness that occurred in the opening stages, Robin Van Persie had his best effort, frantically blocked by the Liverpool defenders, after the Dutchman linked up well with 28 million man, Fellaini.
After some brilliant controlled build-up-play by Rodgers men, the Merseyside 11 were handed the first advantage, when Luis Suarez attempt was blocked by Rafael using his hand. Steven Gerrard, in confident manner, slotted his penalty away. In trademark fashion, the travelling Kop erupted in Manchester.
Half time came and went, and within a minute of the restart, Allen drove into the box, and Phil Jones clumsily knocked the Welshman over. Gerrard, with nerves of steel, stepped up and tucked away another Old Trafford goal, sending him as now the top Liverpool goal scorer against arch rivals, Man United.
Liverpool fully bossed the game for remainder of the endeavour with United finding it hard to overcome the sensational energy in Liverpool's midfield. Sturridge and Suarez combined, and the English inform striker, was controversially brought down by United's, leaving, captain, Vidic. Replays suggest that the Serbian didn't make contact, and Vidic was sent off for a second bookable offence, but nonetheless, Gerrard stepped up to make it a hat trick of penalties, the skipper sent the spaniard, De Gea, the wrong way, only to be denied by the post, much to delight of the home crowd.
There was still enough time left for Suarez to add insult to injury, when Sturridge found himself on the edge of the box, only to see his weak effort fall to Suarez who knocked in Liverpool's third of the game, and cap what will go down as a season defining win, with Liverpool fans beginning to believe that the Premier League title may fall on Merseyside this May.