Fergie’s fury as Reds surrender

SIR Alex Ferguson saw red after Manchester United’s meek surrender in Saturday’s first Premier League defeat of the season at Liverpool.

The United manager was scathing in his criticisms as Liverpool claimed their first league victory over their rivals for seven years.

Ferguson said: “Liverpool harassed us and we couldn’t cope with their tackling which was the source of their victory. They were by far the better team.

“We defended very, very poorly for both of the goals, which is not typical of a Manchester United team. When people watch the game, they will think it’s some Conference side defending.”

Should United lose at early-season pacesetters Chelsea on Sunday, which is feasible if they repeat this sorry showing, they would suddenly find themselves nine points adrift of the Stamford Bridge side.

It may only be mid-September but nevertheless that would still be a sizeable deficit to claw back, even with a game in hand.

It was very much Liverpool’s day as they recorded their first Premier League win over United since 2001 and a sweet moment for Rafa Benitez, who had never triumphed in a league fixture against Ferguson.

The victory was also achieved without key-pair Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, who were only substitutes after recent injuries.

And Liverpool’s dismal run against their great North-West rivals did not look like ending in the early stages at Anfield, where United made an impressive start.

They took the lead in the third minute when record £30.75million signing Dimitar Berbatov cut the ball back from the by-line for Carlos Tevez to drive home from the edge of the penalty area.

And the way in which United confidently stroked the ball about in the opening stages, you couldn’t see anything but another win for the Old Trafford side as they displayed a swagger you would expect from the domestic and European champions.

They played a 4-3-3 formation. Berbatov was the target man with Wayne Rooney and Tevez offering support from the flanks. There was no place for regular wide men Ryan Giggs and Nani.

Liverpool were handed an unexpected toe hold back into the game midway through the opening half after an error from Edwin van der Sar.

The Dutch ’keeper made a meal of claiming a deflected shot from Xabi Alonso and as he overstretched he palmed the ball against team-mate Wes Brown, who was credited with an unfortunate own goal.

“It was an absolute shocker, a real scabby goal,” declared Ferguson.

Tevez should have put United back in front moments later but fired over from eight yards when it looked a certain goal.

Liverpool gained in confidence in the second half as United surrendered with a whimper.

The introduction of Gerrard for the final quarter was a masterstroke by Benitez and proved massive psychological lift to Liverpool.

And it was another substitute Ryan Babel who sealed victory after another piece of dire defending in the 77th minute.

Dirk Kuyt got behind Giggs virtually on the by-line, where he pulled the ball back for Babel to score.

United’s simmering frustration finally exploded when Nemanja Vidic was set off in the last minute.

Fortunate earlier to escape with a yellow card after hauling back Robbie Keane, there was no escape 11 minutes later for another crude challenge on Alonso.