{{Steven Gerrard scored two penalties and missed a third as Liverpool emphasised their title credentials with a resounding win over reigning Premier League champions Manchester United at Old Trafford.}}
In what was seen as the biggest test of their ability to claim their first crown since 1990, Liverpool passed the examination in emphatic fashion against an abject United to move to within four points of leaders Chelsea, with a game in hand.
Liverpool captain Gerrard demonstrated their superiority with penalties either side of the interval as Brendan Rodgers’s side exerted almost complete domination over a home team looking in need of a drastic overhaul.
Gerrard missed another spot-kick after Daniel Sturridge went to ground under a Nemanja Vidic challenge – the United captain picking up his fourth red card against Liverpool in the process – but there was no stopping Luis Suarez as he added a third.
At this stage last season there was a 29-point gap between these sides in United’s favour as they beat Rodgers’s team 2-1 at home.
But Liverpool’s dominance here underscored the scale of the turnaround, their improvement and the collapse in fortunes at Old Trafford since manager David Moyes succeeded Sir Alex Ferguson.
Moyes must now pick up a bedraggled team before Wednesday’s return Champions League game against Olympiakos, where they need to overcome a 2-0 deficit from the first leg in Greece.
For Liverpool, Rodgers and their exultant supporters there are no such concerns. The Reds are flying high with a self-belief that marks them out as having a real chance to win the title.
And with Manchester City and Chelsea, who lost to Aston Villa on Saturday, still to visit Anfield, Liverpool have been presented with a wonderful opportunity to claim the prize that was once almost a permanent presence in their trophy room.
Liverpool’s intentions – not to mention the confidence now surging through this team – were clear inside two minutes as Sturridge found space inside the area from Jordan Henderson’s pass but could not find the target.
They had claims for a penalty ignored when Marouane Fellaini tangled clumsily with Suarez. The Uruguayan stayed on his feet and was left a picture of frustration when the spot-kick was not awarded.
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