Reigning English Premiership champion Manchester United continued its six-year unbeaten streak at Anfield with a repeat of last season’s 1-0 victory over fierce rivals Liverpool. If one has to go by last season’s events, Sunday’s 1-0 victory for United would serve as a good omen for the Old Trafford faithful as the Red Devils went on to win the championship with a similarly dogged performance at the home of the five-time European champions. The victory, courtesy of Argentine striker Carlos Tevez’s first half strike, took United to the top of the table briefly but they remain just one point behind Arsenal who regained top spot later on Sunday with a similar 1-0 victory over London rivals Chelsea.
As far as Liverpool is concerned, the loss to United would increase further pressure on their manager Rafa Benitez who is at odds with the club’s American owners over transfer funds. Despite dominating most of the match, the Merseysiders were unable to break the well-organised United defence and Mr.Benitez would not have done his cause against the owners any good with such a lackluster performance. Although the former Valencia manager put up a brave face after the match saying that the Reds are not yet out of the title-race but on the hindsight he knows that the loss has all but finished off Liverpool’s hopes of launching a title challenge.
It would be interesting to see Rafa’s fate as the manager of Liverpool for it seems that the Anfield supporters would have to endure another barren domestic season and the club’s co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillet had made it clear earlier that the club’s main aim for this season is the domestic title which the famous club has never won since the Premiership’s inception.
It has baffled many that a club which is so consistent and the most successful in the European arena than any other fellow English club just cannot manage to win the domestic title despite investing heavily on player transfers and to be honest the Reds do have a rich set of players who can win leagues anywhere in the world. With all due respect to the managerial skills of Rafael Benitez, may be Anfield needs a manager in the caliber of Sir Alex Fergusson or Arsene Wenger or a certain Jose Mourinho who can be ruthless in team management.
Image Credit: Goal
Source: BBC News
