The Liverpool Magicians

Some games pass unnoticed, and some games are meant to be remembered. It is an entirely different class of games though that would take me out of my extremely busy schedule to write a few words about, and such was Liverpool's astonishing 4-1 win over the champions of the world.

The 4-0 midweek thrashing of Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) only meant one thing for the Liverpool players: they are not slowing down against Manchester United, and indeed they did not. So, while I was enjoying a really good sleep on Saturday morning, Liverpool were insulting the players of Manchester United with their speed, tricks and commitment to the game. The incredible speed of Fernando Torres, and the accuracy of passing from the likes of Kuyt and Gerard ultimately gave no chance for Man U to even think about coming back into the game.

It all started in Old Trafford, exactly three days after both Liverpool and Manchester United moved through to the 1/4 finals of the UCL, and it promised to be an interesting match. No one though, except perhaps Rafa Benitez, would have imagined Liverpool winning by that margin. Until that time, the united defense had only conceded one goal in their last 10 matches. To concede 4 in one game, it required something really special. But special it is this Liverpool team!

In the 22nd minute, Man U were awarded a penalty. C. Ronaldo scored with a powerful shot to the right of Reina, and things looked as if they are going in Man U's favor. It all changed a few minutes later though. Torres raced forward to a long ball and managed to beat Vidic to easily score past Van Der Sar. A defensive mistake from Evra was penalized by a kick from the spot, which Gerrard masterfully placed in the net, but the defining moment of the game was yet to come.


The ManU fans were waiting for the comeback, knowing their team will never just let things go that easy, but it was Vidic again who made things worse. Normally a rock in his side's defense, he harshly fouled Gerrard at the edge of the area. He got his marching orders and Liverpool got a free kick. But it is really the perfection of Liverpool's game that gave no chance to Man U. Aurelio struck the unstoppable free kick to effectively end the United's slowly fading hopes of the unlikely comeback. From then on, it was a matter of time. With 13 minutes to go, and 21 players on the pitch, there was only one way another goal would be scored, and so it was. Substitute Dossena, just like against Real, scored the fourth and final goal of the night, to write his name in the books of history, and wrap up a deserved win in the most unlikely place, at exactly the right time.