Some intense scenes followed the final whistle, as Evra took his own lap of honor, and ended right next to Suarez. LFC players took offense and had to be separated by Dalglish and stewards.
As for the game itself, the home team was the simply better for so much of the game. United controlled the proceedings, but its two goals came like a flash. Rooney had two clear chances and took them both.
The Reds were steely and determined in the first half, but the early second-half goals stunned them. It took the better part of a half hour for LFC to recover. Suarez responded to the hostile atmosphere with his sixth league goal of the season.
That's all for now and thanks for joining us. Let's discuss this one on Twitter @NESNsoccer and Facebook. Be sure to keep an eye out for some news, fan reactions, analysis and opinion that is on the way on NESN.com.
91st minute, 2-1 Manchester United: Johnson, LFC's danger man during the game, tests De Gea with a left-footed drive. However, the United goalkeeper tips it over the bar.
88th minute, 2-1 Manchester United: Liverpool has come to life after the Suarez goal, but has not been able to fashion any legitimate scoring chances.
85th minute, 2-1 Manchester United: If LFC can sneak another goal, it would complete an epic smash-and-grab mission at Old Trafford.
81st minute, 2-1 Manchester United: And on the ensuing free kick, Adam drops it into the United area.
The ball hits Ferdinand, who was focusing on something else, and fell to Suarez.
The Uruguayan poked it in past De Gea, setting up an interesting finale.
80th minute, 2-0 Manchester United: Carrick is booked for a tackle from behind on Suarez.
74th minute, 2-0 Manchester United: Adam comes into the game in place of Kuyt.
72nd minute, 2-0 Manchester United: Two of the best players on the field this game – Scholes and Giggs — have a combined age of … 75.
66th minute, 2-0 Manchester United: Although LFC has added four fresh legs to the fray, United looks like a livelier team. Two goals tend to have that effect on games.
61st minute, 2-0 Manchester United: Downing and Spearing are removed. Bellamy and Carroll take their places, as LFC looks to make up ground in this contest.
59th minute, 2-0 Manchester United: Scholes' dummy sees Rooney walk in on goal, but the two-goal scorer fluffs his shot. He should have put United up by three there.
55th minute, 2-0 Manchester United: LFC needs some sort of response — and soon. Bellamy and Carroll are warming up.
50th minute, 2-0 Manchester United: It's Rooney again.
Spearing was dispossessed by Valencia 30 yards from goal, and United was able to march toward the goal.
He slotted a pass to Rooney on his left, and the former Everton man slipped it through Reina's legs.
47th minute, 1-0 Manchester United: Rooney gives United the lead with his 20th league goal of the season.
It came off a corner kick. Henderson jumped, but his attempt at a clearing header saw the ball glance off his head into the path of Rooney.
The England international thundered a volley past Reina from close range.
Halftime: The first half comes to a close without a goal, but with plenty of fireworks.
United had the better of possession and play, but was not able to translate that into an advantage in the score-line. It created a number of scoring chances, but could not convert.
Liverpool will be happy with the score, but knows that it must improve in a number of areas in the second half.
The Reds seemed to lack balance and composure in the attack. Johnson and Kuyt supplied all the creativity and danger on the right. But Enrique and Downing haven't matched them on the left.
Various outlets are reporting a halftime scuffle in the tunnel.
"Reportedly, Evra attempted to confront Suarez, and Skrtel blocked his path, which led to a mass confrontation," Sky Sports reports. "Stewards and police involved."
45th minute, 0-0: Suarez burst through the middle, beats Evra, only to be taken down by Ferdinand.
The LFC forward wanted a red card, as Ferdinand was the last defender, but the United man got a little of the ball before making contact with Suarez.
44th minute, 0-0: Downing gets the first yellow of the game. He slid through Rafael, leaving little doubt that a caution was coming.
42nd minute, 0-0: LFC has a quick succession of corners, but can't make anything of it.
38th minute, 0-0: It's a third United foray in the last few minutes. Welbeck gets the better of Agger and Spearing, but drags his shot wide.
LFC has to get and use the ball better in order to relieve some of this pressure.
35th minute, 0-0: United continue to apply the attacking pressure. This time it comes from the right, as Valencia crosses from the right and Evra leaps over everyone (Kuyt was closest) and powers a header over the bar.
31st minute, 0-0: Pepe Reina makes a stunning reflex save on Scholes' header. Giggs swung in a cross from the left and the unmarked Scholes headed it on goal from close range. Reina was there to turn it away, but the veteran midfielder should have scored.
26th minute, 0-0: The tempo remains high and the atmosphere hot, but neither team seems to be able to combine well in the final third.
Liverpool is lacking a focal point in the attack, and United's forwards — Rooney and Welbeck — haven't linked together so far.
19th minute, 0-0: United have the early territorial advantage, and test Reina.
Rafael beat Downing on the right side of the box, cut it onto his left foot and took a shot on goal. Reina was able to save it, but Welbeck nearly deflected it. Who knows what could have happened if he did?
17th minute, 0-0: The game has been largely confined to the midfield areas, with both teams struggling to break through the opposition defense.
10th minute, 0-0: This one has opened up quickly, especially for Johnson. The marauding LFC fullback burst up the right, cut it onto his left foot and shot from just outside the box. It beat De Gea, but went just wide of the goal.
Second minute, 0-0: Ferdinand collides with Evra and falls awkwardly on his head. He is down for a minute, but will continue.
First minute, 0-0: Handshake-gate lives on. Suarez attempted to pass Evra by and the Frenchman snatched at his arm. That sets the tone as the game is under way.
Pregame: As expected, Suarez is in the starting lineup. He will probably operate on his own as LFC's most advanced attacker. Carroll is relegated to the bench, but could make an impact later in the game.
Enrique and Henderson return to the starting 11, after missing out on Monday's game.
7 a.m.: Here are the lineups:
Liverpool
Pepe Reina (25), goalkeeper
Glen Johnson (2), right back
Martin Skrtel (37), center back
Daniel Agger (5), center back
Jose Enrique (3), left back
Jay Spearing (20), midfielder
Jordan Henderson (14), midfielder
Steve Gerrard (8), midfielder
Stuart Downing (19), midfielder
Dirk Kuyt (18), forward
Luis Suarez (7), forward
Substitutes
Doni (32), goalkeeper
Jamie Carragher (23), defender
Martin Kelly (34), defender
Jonjo Shelvey (33), midfielder
Charlie Adam (26), midfielder
Craig Bellamy (39), forward
Andy Carroll (9), striker
Manchester United
David De Gea (1), goalkeeper
Rafael (21), right back
Rio Ferdinand (5), center back
Johnny Evans (6), center back
Patrice Evra (3), left back
Ryan Giggs (11), midfielder
Michael Carrick (16), midfielder
Paul Scholes (18), midfielder
Antonio Valencia (25), midfielder
Wayne Rooney (10), striker
Danny Welbeck (19), striker
Substitutes
Ben Amos (40), goalkeeper
Fabio (20), defender
Paul Pogba (42), midfielder
Tom Cleverley (23), midfielder
Park Ji-Sung (13), midfielder
Dimitar Berbatov (9), forward
Javier Hernandez (14), forward
12 a.m. ET: Kenny Dalglish began his second reign over Liverpool FC at Old Trafford 13 months ago. He brings LFC back to the home of Manchester United for a Premier League clash between two historic rivals.
Saturday's meeting will be this season's third between the two clubs, and the second in the last 14 days. The previous two took place at Anfield, so the trip to Old Trafford will test the limits of Liverpool's resurgent confidence. The Reds have been one of the English soccer's most impressive road teams this season — with wins at Arsenal, Everton, Chelsea and Manchester City (in the Carling Cup). A victory would serve notice to the rest of the league of their intentions for the back end of the season.
Liverpool boasts a fully fit squad, and Dalglish will be able to select his strongest team. Jose Enrique has reportedly overcome the injury issue that caused him to miss the previous game against Tottenham. Luis Suarez will likely make his first start since returning from suspension.
There is a positive spirit in the United camp, following Sunday's thrilling 3-3 draw at Chelsea. United clawed back from three goals down to take a point out of Stamford Bridge. Manager Sir Alex Ferguson is focusing his team on a title charge, and beating LFC will put United atop the standings. Wayne Rooney and Antonio Valencia will provide the danger. Tom Cleverly should return to action after missing the better part of four months due to an ankle injury.
Join us at 7:30 a.m. ET for Liverpool-Manchester United. We'll have all the action right here.
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