Liverpool beat United to close gap on leaders

Liverpool kept their title hopes alive with a famous 3-0 win over reigning champions Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Penalty kicks either side of half time from Steven Gerrard gave the visitors a comfortable lead, while Luis Suarez put the result beyond any doubt with a neat finish six minutes from time.

With the score at two nil, the Reds were awarded a third penalty in an incident that saw United captain Nemanja Vidic dismissed, but Gerrard, who went for the opposite corner to his previous two efforts, hit the post.

Brendan Rodgers’ men were superior in all areas, easing to a fifth straight league win, and tenth unbeaten.

They are now just four points behind leaders Chelsea with a game in a hand, after Jose Mourinho’s men were beaten 1-0 by Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon.

Arsenal beat Tottenham Hotspur to stay level on points with Liverpool, while title favourites Manchester City kept themselves in the hunt by beating Hull City.

Liverpool will now turn their attention to next Saturday’s trip to Cardiff City, while they host Sunderland four days later.

Should they take maximum points from both games, and Chelsea fail to beat Arsenal at the weekend, they will return to the summit with just seven games to left to play.