Good afternoon and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of one of the biggest matches in club football - Liverpool versus Manchester United at Anfield.
As everybody knows, today's encounter is not all about the 90 minutes on the pitch. This is the first home match for the Reds since the Hillsborough Independent Panel found that South Yorkshire Police had attempted to cover up their failings by blaming Liverpool supporters for the disaster that cost 96 people their lives in 1989.
A number of tributes are planned prior to the match, with all eyes on how the rival supporters conduct themselves.
Let's hope that by the end all we have to talk about is a brilliant game of football.
3.28pmThat's all from our coverage at Anfield. Stay tuned with Sports Mole though as we have live commentary coming up of Man City vs. Arsenal and Tottenham vs. QPR.
3.26pmIt's harsh on Liverpool, who played really well throughout. Going down to ten men certainly didn't help their cause. United did what United do. They've not played well, but the three points head back to Manchester.
3.25pmFULL TIME: Liverpool 1-2 Man United
90+4 minThe England defender is up but he is moving very gingerly. Liverpool have used all of there subs as well and will play the remainder of the match with nine men. Kelly has gone down the tunnel.
90+3 minKelly is now down for Liverpool with a knee injury. It doesn't look great for the full-back, whose leg seem to give way under him.
90+2 minAt the moment United are seeing the game out well. They're keeping the ball, drawing Liverpool into committing fouls in order to run down the clock.
90 minFive minutes of stoppage time to be played...
89 minSUBSTITUTION: A limping Rafael is replaced by Danny Welbeck. I assume that means Valencia drops to right-back for United.
85 min...But Suso's delivery is poor and frontman Van Persie lashes out for a Liverpool throw. Disappointing from the youngster.
84 minMeanwhile, Liverpool have a corner...
84 minBOOKING! Van Persie goes into the book for a sliding tackle in Suso.
83 minCHANCE! Liverpool should be level. Johnson swings over a cross from the left for full-back Kelly, who can only guide his downward header wide of the target. He really should have done better there.
81 minSUBSTITUTION: United make a change. Kagawa comes off and Javier Hernandez is on.
81 minReina gets good hands to Van Persie's effort but he cannot keep the ball out of the net. United now lead.
80 minGOAL! Liverpool 1-2 Man United (Van Persie, pen)
79 minSUBSTITUTION: Agger is carried off and will be replaced by the experienced Jamie Carragher. Don't forget, Van Persie is about to take a penalty for Man United.
78 minAgger needs the stretcher. Looks like an ankle injury for the Danish defender. Liverpool will need to make a change.
77 minBit of a delay as Agger is down and receiving treatment. This is giving Van Persie a long time to think about what he is going to do with this spot kick.
76 minJohnson brings down Valencia who is about to shoot at goal. Certain penalty. Van Persie will take...
76 minPENALTY TO MAN UNITED...
74 minIt's United at the moment, although Liverpool do not look too stretched at present. I feel there's at least one more goal left in this match.
69 minYoung Suso has looked sharp since coming on as a half-time sub for Liverpool. He's causing the United backline a number of problems at the moment.
66 minSUBSTITUTION: The lively Sterling is replaced by Jordan Henderson, who is making his first appearance in the Premier League this season.
64 minCHANCE! Suarez pulls the ball back for an on-running Suso but the youngsters high drive is tipped over by Lindegaard. Liverpool have responded well to the equaliser.
62 min...But Giggs's cross is too deep and the danger is cleared by Sterling.
62 minCorner to United has Martin Kelly turns behind a cross from Carrick...
61 minSAVE! Really good save from Lindegaard to deny Suarez from distance. The goalkeeper had to contend with a deflection off Rio Ferdinand there.
58 minBOOKING! It's all happening now. Scholes gets his customary booking for a sliding challenge on Sterling.
56 minPENALTY APPEAL! Suarez is adamant that he should have had a penalty following a challenge from Evans. The Uruguayan made most of that and Halsey waved play on.
55 minI stress the word "could". Liverpool are still well in this match. They've played really well so far.
54 minUnited have woken up since falling behind. They're now keeping the ball with a lot more authority. Could be a long half for Liverpool now.
52 minWhat a goal from the right-back. He uses his left from a narrow angle to curl the ball beyond the reach of Reina and in off the far post. A cracking equaliser for United. Liverpool's lead lasted four minutes.
50 minGOAL! Liverpool 1-1 Man United (Rafael)
47 minWhat a start to the second half for the home side. Neither Evans nor Evra close down Gerrard inside the box and that can only mean one thing - a goal! The skipper volleyed into the bottom corner of the net in front of the Kop. He then runs away pointing to the heavens, kissing the Liverpool badge.
46 minGOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Man United (Gerrard)
2.33pmSUBSTITUTION: Suso comes on for Borini, while for United Paul Scholes takes the place of Nani.
2.21pmJust before we take a short break, here's our half-time report.
2.19pmQuite how Liverpool are not in front is beyond me to be honest. They've dominated this match. However, they are now down to ten men and United can surely not play that badly again in the second half, can they? Join us in a few minutes to find out.
2.18pmHALF-TIME: Liverpool 0-0 Man United
45 min...But Agger heads well over. Two minutes of stoppage time to be played incidentally.
45 minCorner to Liverpool as Evra turns a Borini cross behind...
43 minJonny Evans is now being roundly booed every time he is in possession. Bit harsh. After all it was him who got caught by Shelvey's stud!
41 minSAVE! Lindegaard gets down well to parry clear a lengthy strike from Suarez. Liverpool still in control despite their numerical disadvantage.
39 minNightmare for Liverpool, who have been in control here. Shelvey flies into a challenge with Jonny Evans and catches the United man. Referee Mark Halsey assesses the challenge and dismisses the Liverpool midfielder.
37 minRED CARD! Shelvey (Liverpool)
33 min...Gerrard finds Suarez with the cross, but he thumps a header well wide of the target. Another chance gone for the hosts.
32 minFree-kick for Liverpool in a dangerous position on the edge of the box as Evra brings down Sterling...
30 minTo further enhance that point, statistics show that Liverpool have had 65% of the possession so far.
29 minThere really is only one team in this at the moment. Liverpool are much the better side but they are yet to breach the United net.
26 min...Which Nani sends into the Kop. He attempted to copy the Ronaldo technique and got it horribly wrong. Sums up his game so far.
25 minFree-kick to United around 30 yards from goal...
24 minFerdinand is still limping. It looks like a leg injury for the centre-back. United will be hoping that he can run it off, particularly with Vidic being out.
21 minThe United man is up but not looking at all comfortable. Play resumes...
21 minRio Ferdinand is currently down following a challenge with Martin Skrtel. He looks in a lot of pain.
19 minStill all Liverpool. It really feels like only a matter of time until another chance comes there way. United are yet to get going.
16 minNani is doing himself no favours at the moment. On three separate occasions he has given the ball away while under no pressure whatsoever. Poor from the United playmaker.
13 minCHANCE! Another really good opportunity for Liverpool goes begging. Suarez threads a pass through to Borini inside the area. However, the Italian's touch is heavy and Jonny Evans gets back to block.
11 minAfter a sluggish start Liverpool are now dominating this match. United are finding it hard to keep the ball.
9 minCHANCE! Well most of Anfield and myself thought that was 1-0 Liverpool. Shelvey cuts the corner back for Gerrard, whose low drive ripples the net. Unfortunately for the hosts it was the side netting.
8 minSecond corner of the match for Liverpool as Rafael again clears the danger...
7 minDOUBLE CHANCE! First sight of goal for United and they go ever so close. Kagawa sends the ball square to Giggs on the edge of the box, who fires just over the bar. Up the other end, Lindegaard pushes clear a dangerous cross from Suarez.
5 min...but a short combination between Gerrard and Suarez is cleared by Rafael.
5 minCorner for Liverpool as Rafael deflects out a Glen Johnson cross...
4 minLiverpool now coming into the encounter a little with short spells on the ball. No goal chances of yet.
2 min"Justice for the 96" sing the Liverpool fans. What an atmosphere we have here. On the pitch, United have had all the possession so far.
1 minUnited get us underway...
1.29pmAnd just before kick-off we have the traditional airing of "You'll Never Walk Alone". Almost game time.
1.27pmAlso, Giggs and Gerrard (the two captains) release 96 balloons. Both teams have been fantastic here. Really good stuff.
1.27pmAnd in another nice touch from United, Sir Bobby Charlton has presented some flowers to former Liverpool frontman Ian Rush. 96 roses to be exact.
1.26pmHANDSHAKE! Phew! Suarez and Evra shake hands. Now let's get on with the football.
1.25pmAnd the handshakes are imminent...
1.24pmHere come the players to a massive reception...
1.24pmAnd both of them have the number 96 on the back of their tops. Nice touch.
1.23pmAs are United's players.
1.22pmThe players are now filtering into the tunnel. Liverpool players are all wearing tracksuit tops.
1.21pmFerguson of course knows all about the emotion and pressure that an occasion like this can bring. On the 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster back in 2008, United struggled against rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford and lost the match 2-1. Liverpool could find themselves, understandably, in a similar situation today.
1.19pmHere is some of what Sir Alex had to say to Sky Sports News: "I think we have embraced the situation and made all the appeals to the fans and hope they adhere to the situation Liverpool fans find themselves in.
"Ourselves and Liverpool are the most successful teams in England. I don't anticipate any problems with the handshake before kick-off. Anyone watching today will see one of the biggest derby games in the world. Passion, intensity, it is all there. We sometimes see bad games because the pressure can get to the players."
1.17pmBoth managers have just held a joint pre-match interview in which they once again called upon both sets of supporters to do their clubs proud. Rodgers and Ferguson also said that they anticipate no problems during the handshakes.
1.15pmAnd a "positive result" is what the home side certainly need. Heading into this match they find themselves within the Premier League's relegation zone, having not won in the league so far this season.
1.12pmOne key battle today I suspect will be between Liverpool livewire Sterling and United full-back Evra. The latter has been struggling for form over the past 12 months or so and Sterling looks like one of the most exciting wingers in the Premier League at this moment in time. If Sterling can get the better of the Frenchman, he may go a long way to helping his side achieve a positive result.
1.08pmBack to those lineups and more reports have claimed that Vidic has been rested following his lengthy knee injury. Seems strange that Sir Alex would decide to do that for one of the biggest matches of the season. Far be it from me to question Mr Ferguson though!
1.06pmReports from inside the ground have claimed that the United fans inside the ground have reacted positively to an announcement over the pa system regarding the planned Hillsborough tributes. Let's hope that continues.
1.00pmMan United subs: De Gea, Anderson, Hernandez, Welbeck, Scholes, Cleverley, Buttner
1.00pmLiverpool subs: Jones, Jose Enrique, Sahin, Assaidi, Henderson, Carragher, Fernandez Saez
12.59pmTalking of substitutes, let's bring you both benches...
12.55pmIn this fixture last year Javier Hernandez come off the bench to rescue a point for United in a 1-1 draw. The Mexican again finds himself on the bench this afternoon.
12.53pmIt would be fair to say that Anfield has not been the happiest of hunting grounds for United in recent seasons. The Red Devils have not taken maximum points away from the red half of Merseyside since a strike from Carlos Tevez game them a 1-0 victory in 2007.
12.47pmFirstly the omission of Vidic. Assuming it is injury, the Serbian will be missed in the United defence. Nani starting is also a bit of surprise. The Portuguese international was less than impressive in the Champions League on Wednesday night. Nevertheless, he has been given a reprieve by Sir Alex.
12.46pmWell, Liverpool in all honesty have lined up as expected. With what is available to him, Brendan Rodgers could not have selected a stronger side. Couple of surprises in the United lineup though...
12.44pmMan United X1: Lindegaard; Rafael, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra; Carrick, Giggs, Valencia, Kagawa, Nani; Van Persie
12.43pmBREAKING TEAM NEWS: Skipper Vidic misses out for Man United, who give Ryan Giggs a starting role in the midfield.
12.42pmLiverpool X1: Reina; Kelly, Agger, Skrtl, Johnson; Allen, Gerrard, Shelvey, Borini, Sterling; Suarez
12.41pmBREAKING TEAM NEWS: Despite featuring during the midweek in the Europa League, Fabio Borini and Jonjo Shelvey start for Liverpool.
12.39pmThat is if Evra starts of course. Some reports have claimed that the Frenchman may miss out to avoid any controversy. United also have a replacement that impressed during his debut last weekend in Alexander Buttner.
12.38pmHowever, this time around the word from both clubs appears to be that the handshakes will be completed this afternoon. Let's hope so.
12.37pm...It was well documented that Liverpool frontman Suarez was banned for eight matches last season for racially abusing Evra in October 2011. When the pair met again at Old Trafford, Suarez appeared to refuse to shake Evra's hand - resulting in massive headlines.
12.34pmAs well as the recent revelations regarding the Hillsborough disaster, there is also another potential incident that people will be keeping a keen eye on. It seems pretty insignificant in comparison (which it is) but the whole Luis Suarez/Patrice Evra/race row is sure to be a talking point...
12.31pmFrom a Liverpool point of view, captain Gerrard has called upon both sets of supporters to refrain from any "sick chants".
12.29pmThat is what United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is hoping for. The Scot has written a letter that will be available for all the United fans that have made the trip - urging them to behave.
12.27pmWhatever is planned, a lot of the focus will be on how the rival supporters conduct themselves throughout the afternoon. Both have suffered tragedies during their histories and the hope is that the rivalry will be put to one side this afternoon.
12.25pmReports have also claimed that the two skippers, Steve Gerrard and Nemanja Vidic, will release 96 balloons to mark a joint tribute between the two clubs.
12.23pm...Quite rightly, Liverpool are planning a number of tributes this afternoon prior to kick-off. We've already seen the word 'justice' on the seats at an empty Anfield.
12.22pm...The tragedy was back in the headlines last week after the files were finally released. Among the 450,000 documents it was revealed that South Yorkshire Police had attempted to cover up their incompetence by claiming that Liverpool fans were at fault for the deaths. It was also suggested that 41 of the 96 people may have survived had the emergency services been allowed onto the pitch quicker...
12.16pmToday is all about showing that there is more to life than football. Back in April 1989, 96 Liverpool supporters lost their lives in a crush prior to their side's FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough...
12.11pmObviously our attention for the next three hours or so will be on the events at Anfield. As mentioned above, the clash will not just be about football...
12.09pmAfternoon all. Well, today is more exciting than Christmas day! First up we have Liverpool vs. Manchester United, then Arsenal travel to champions Manchester City. This is what the Premier League is all about!
Written by
Liam Apicella
Liam Apicella
