[pantlessjim]

Originally Posted by soccernet.com

Updated: Dec. 17, 2007

Rio celebrates hitting Kop title hopes

Rio Ferdinand has claimed victory at Anfield for Manchester United tasted especially sweet this season because Liverpool have started to fancy their title chances once more.

It is 17 years since the Merseyside giants won the last of their 18 league titles, yet optimism was high before the campaign began that this would be the year that barren run came to an end.

Instead, Rafael Benitez's men look as far away from their Holy Grail than ever following a fifth home defeat in six years to their fierce north-west rivals.

Although it is far too early to write Liverpool off completely, they are now 10 points adrift of Barclays Premier League leaders Arsenal and nine behind United. Indeed, they are not even in the top four, having been squeezed out by Manchester City over the weekend.

'As a Manchester United player, there are not many tastes better than winning at Anfield, especially as Liverpool feel as though they are going very well and had a really good chance to beat us,' said England defender Ferdinand.

'They thought they had the players to win this time.

'We have nicked a few results against them over the years but this time I thought we were well worth it. They hardly caused us any problems at all.'

United did survive a couple of scares when Anderson and Patrice Evra were forced to clear off the line but, long before the end, Liverpool had resorted to blasting a series of high balls into the visitors box.

Ferdinand may not be noted quite so much as defensive partner Nemanja Vidic for sticking his head in where it hurts but, between them, United's centre-halves won everything, even after Peter Crouch had been introduced. The 29-year-old former Leeds star, who hobbled out of Anfield after having stitches inserted into a nasty gash on his ankle, was reluctant to take too much praise along with his man-of-the-match champagne, insisting it had been a team effort. 'I do have a fantastic partnership with Nemanja but results like these are not about one or two players,' he said. 'If the other lads around us aren't defending or running their socks off, it makes our job at the back a lot harder. There were big performances all over the park from a lot of different players.'

Go on Rio!

[GocartMozart]

he really is spot on. liverpool created fuck all. how people act like the possession stats mattered when they had no chance that was created from their own abilities, is beyond my comprehension.

[pantlessjim]

Look at the difference between the Scum performance from mid week and at the weekend. Scum only had sommat like 36% possession against Marsielle, but Marsielle failed to create anything. Possession is pointless if you can only knock the ball around your back four.

[macca247]

spot on rio my son you really should be captain maybe one day lol

[funkdoctorspock]

Rio is definitely the next captain of United after Neville and Giggs retire.

Thoroughly enjoyed Rio shutting down Torres. It was a joy to watch.

[GocartMozart]

not that it took much

rio + vidic vs. kuyt + torres

you must be having a laugh. i mean really. this defense practices against the likes of ronaldo rooney, tevez, giggs, and saha. saha alone is more of a pain in the ass. i'm unimpressed

[luisrocks]

Rio and Vidic are the meanest defenders in the EPL right now. But I also like the way Hargreaves was also helping them out by shutting down LiverScums so-called attack.

[hiphopsoul]

FERDIC just seem unstoppable!

[losangeles]

We all celebrate wins at Anfield. They'll never get old.

[vrider]

great game for rio against the scousers, torres who? future captain indeed , liked how young Anderson shut out Gerrard most of the match, joy to watch