Gerrard nets in United draw
Steven Gerrard marked his first start of the season with a goal as Liverpool were held to a 1-1 draw by Manchester United at Anfield on Saturday.
On his return to the starting XI for the first time since March, the Reds captain netted with a brilliant free-kick on 68 minutes to break the visitors' resistance in a tense contest.
But with 10 minutes left to play, substitute Javier Hernandez rescued a point for United when he headed home from a corner to ensure the spoils were shared in L4.
Gerrard was the main focus of the pre-match chatter after it emerged the captain had been handed his first start since March in what was Kenny Dalglish's 250th league game in charge of Liverpool.
The No.8 replaced Andy Carroll in the only change made to the team that started the Merseyside derby a fortnight earlier.
It was also a landmark day for Pepe Reina, who became the sixth player in our history to appear in 160 consecutive league games.
Meanwhile, United's teamsheet showed Wayne Rooney, Hernandez and Nani named on the bench.
Click on the play button below to watch the best of the United action in 15 minutes
With Chairman Tom Werner watching on from the Directors' Box, and basketball superstar LeBron James taking in his first ever Anfield game, Liverpool set about making an enterprising start to the afternoon.
Jose Enrique's powerful surge down the left had fans on their feet early on, but no-one was able to reach the Spaniard's cross from the touchline.
Next, a threatening Gerrard delivery from a free-kick was headed to safety by Patrice Evra before United's first meaningful attack saw the France defender loft a cross to the back post and Phil Jones head off target.
On 21 minutes, a short corner routine between Adam and Gerrard allowed the latter to glide a teasing ball to the near post, where it was glanced across the face of goal by Luis Suarez.
Soon after, Suarez tried his luck again with an audacious attempt to catch David de Gea off guard from fully 45 yards - but the United 'keeper was left untroubled.
The Uruguayan's influence on the game was growing and he went close to opening the scoring on 34 minutes. Adam's long-range drive was deflected kindly into the path of Suarez, who coolly sidestepped Jonny Evans before drilling goalwards only for De Gea to repel the effort.
Liverpool were enjoying the majority of possession but United still posed a threat - a point proven when Ji-Sung Park stole the ball from Enrique and worked space on the edge of the area, only to fire well wide. A rare mistake from the Reds full-back who was enjoying another otherwise impeccable display.
Still, Dalglish would have used the half-time interval to urge his charges to trouble De Gea more in the second period - and six minutes in, Kuyt and Kop screamed for a penalty after the Dutchman's header from a Gerrard corner appeared to strike the arm of Evans.
The appeals were dismissed by referee Andre Marriner and swift United counter required Reina to turn Young's low drive around the post.
Click on the play button below to watch Kenny's United verdict
Back came the Reds and Adam's header back into the danger zone from another Gerrard flag kick had to be cleared by Chris Smalling to thwart the onrushing Martin Skrtel.
But Liverpool's pressure finally told on 68 minutes when Gerrard - who else? - broke the deadlock.
Charlie Adam's jinking run was brought to an abrupt half by Rio Ferdinand on the edge of the box and Liverpool's captain stepped up to clip a delightful free-kick into the bottom corner with De Gea rooted to the spot.
The goal was Liverpool's 1,200th in the Barclays Premier League.
United's response was to send on Rooney, Hernandez and Nani - and two of their substitutes combined to conjure up an equaliser with 10 minutes remaining.
Nani's corner was allowed to bounce dangerously across the box and Hernandez stole in to head into the roof of the net.
The visitors had De Gea to thank for ensuring parity remained intact seconds later as Suarez's deep cross was turned goalwards on the slide by Kuyt, but the stopper made a fine save.
Substitute Jordan Henderson then went close in stoppage time with a lob, but United's goalkeeper clawed it over the crossbar. The resulting corner saw Skrtel lash over from close range.
Henderson threatened again, heading over from Downing's run and cross, but it wasn't to be as Liverpool were forced to settle for a draw.
Liverpoolfc.tv journalists' man of the match: Jamie Carragher