Liverpool continued their top run of form and Manchester United suffered another defeat at Old Trafford in a game that contained three penalties and one red card.

Manchester United captain, Nemanja Vidic, was shown a red card after receiving a second-yellow for a foul on Daniel Sturridge.  Television replays showed that referee Mark Clattenburg made the incorrect decision as Vidic did not appear to make contact with Sturridge, and all but confirmed a dive on the English striker.

Liverpool mustered up 17 shots (7 on target) against the reigning champions and midfielder Jordan Henderson created the first chance for Liverpool when he found Sturridge with a lovely pass towards the 18-yard box in the third minute.  Sturridge did well to get his shot off, but drove it wide past the near post.

In the 20 minute the Uruguayan Luis Suarez fed Sturridge in the box, but the forward scuffed his shot.

The first goal of the game came in the 34 minute when Liverpool captain, Steven Gerrard, fired a penalty kick into the back of the net and put Liverpool up, 1-0.

Rafael da Silva, the Manchester United right-back, was penalized for hand ball which awarded Liverpool its first penalty kick.

Manchester United had their only shot on goal in the 44 minute when Adnan Januzaj did well to keep possession and find Rafael, who was running alongside the wing, with a nice outside-of-the-foot pass.  Rafael received the ball, dribbled towards the byline, and found Rooney who hit the cross first time, but was denied by goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.

Liverpool were the better team in the first half and Rafael was lucky to not have received a second-yellow for his handball.

In the opening minute of the second-half, Liverpool were awarded another penalty kick, when Phil Jones was penalized for a push on Joe Allen.

Gerrard converted the second penalty and United found themselves down, 2-0.

United responded well pressuring Liverpool when they had possession as they looked to score a goal and get back into the game.  Januzaj began dribbling against the defenders and Juan Mata was linking up well with his midfielders and forwards, but United could not get a clear chance at goal.

In the 76 minute, Vidic was incorrectly sent off and Manchester United were forced to play the game with 10 men.

Suarez scored in the 84 minute and seemingly putting the match out-of-reach for Manchester United.

Liverpool won their fifth straight league match , a stretch that has seen them score 18 goals and moved them up to second place in the league table.

Manchester United loss for the fifth time at Old Trafford and sit in seventh in the Premier League table.