Manchester United – Liverpool

Join us shortly for all the action as it happens from Old Trafford.

Good afternoon and welcome to the pick of the FA Cup third round ties. Manchester United host "King" Kenny Dalglish's Liverpool in a mouthwatering clash.

Dalglish's first team in his second spell as Liverpool boss sees him name a 4-4-2 formation. Dirk Kuyt partners Fernando Torres up front.

For United, Dimitar Berbatov and Javier Hernandez continue in attack. Jonny Evans is alongside Rio Ferdinand in central defence.

A turbulent few days for Liverpool ends with their biggest possible game. Can Dalglish inspire an instant response from his under-performing and out-of-sorts stars?

For Sir Alex, his Manchester United side is yet to hit top form but still finds itself top of the table. Can they keep the bandwagon rolling this afternoon?

The teams are in the tunnel, nearly time for kick off.

<b>KICK OFF</b> Liverpool get us under way!

<b>PENALTY FOR UNITED!</b> This is a big decision! Agger goes in on Berbatov, but there's little, if any contact. Berbatov goes down, Howard Webb points to the spot!

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> <b>Giggs hammers it past Pepe Reina!</b>

An absolutely awful start for Kenny Dalglish, that penalty was a very controversial decision.

A bright response from Liverpool, Dirk Kuyt finding space through the middle. His squares for Fernando Torres, but the pass is slightly behind the Spaniard. He turns and tries to shoot only to scuff the ball wide.

A nightmare start for Daniel Agger, who has been pleading to play in recent weeks.

Liverpool's big day is going rather sour so far. The Liverpool fans are rather quiet right now.

Liverpool free kick, Evans fouling Maxi.

United clear at the second attempt, a decent response from the visitors.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Darren Fletcher</b> is the first man in the book after a late lunge on Dirk Kuyt.

Fernando Torres finds some space on the right, his cross is into a dangerous area but Kuszczak gathers.

A nice spell of possession for United, Liverpool have looked solid since falling behind but they have to take the game to the home team now.

Javier Hernandez is released over the top by Darren Fletcher, the linesman's flag stops him in his tracks.

United corner, Berbatov stopped by Martin Kelly down the left...

Nani's corner is headed away by Gerrard at the nearpost.

Very neat play from United, Fletcher's flick for Rafael is over hit and runs out for a goal kick.

A corner to Liverpool, Evra turning behind Kelly's cross...

Berbatov heads the corner away.

First save for Kuszczak to make, Maxi Rodriguez unleashes a smart shot straight at the Polish stopper.

Another Liverpool opening, Martin Kelly finds himself in acres of space on the byline. He rolls the ball across towards Fernando Torres only for Rio Ferdinand to deny the Spaniard a certain goal!

Up the other end, it's a United corner after Kelly nods Nani's deep cross behind...

It has been a solid performance from Liverpool, that huge decision in the opening minute is the difference between the two teams.

Gerrard bursts forward as Liverpool look to break. In the end it's very wasteful from the skipper, who clips a ball through to the offside Fernando Torres.

Giggs clips a dangerous looking cross in for Nani, Skrtel heads clear.

Liverpool are not seeing much possession at the moment, United are starting to look comfortable.

Nani goes to ground very theatrically looking for a free kick, Howard Webb correctly waves play on.

It's a little scrappy out there at the moment. A bit of pinball on the edge of the United box before the ball is hammered clear.

Late challenge by Rafael on Torres, Liverpool free kick...

Another shot for Liverpool, Gerrard with a speculative low drive straight into the arms of Kuszczak.

Half an hour gone and the game is fairly evenly balanced. The difference so far is Giggs' early penalty.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/red_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Steven Gerrard is gone!</b> The ball broke lose in the centre of midfield, Gerrard launches in two-footed against Michael Carrick. A clear sending off. Gerrard will miss the Merseyside derby...

Liverpool are in trouble now. What a rash challenge from Gerrard...

Liverpool are left with a mountain to climb now...

Can Kenny Dalglish turn this around? He really would be a King if he can fix this.

Liverpool are trying to hang on until half time now...

Nani makes a burst through Aurelio and tries to take on Skrtel. He pokes a shot through to Reina, who gathers low to his left.

Dirk Kuyt with a speculative effort from long range, not far away from the Dutchman.

Kenny Dalglish is cutting a forlorn figure on the touchline. A nightmare return so far.

Maxi Rodriguez sums up Liverpool's first half, the Argentine attempts a shot from 30 yards out, but it clears the crossbar by yards.

Ferdinand tries to find Hernandez over the top, the Mexican is free but the pass is too long.

Liverpool look understandably frustrated. This could be a long afternoon.

United corner, can they find a killer second goal?

The danger passes as Nani fouls Skrtel.

<b>THREE MINUTES ADDED TIME</b>

Nani is brought down by Lucas after some fancy footwork. Free kick on half way.

Another United corner, one last chance of the half...

Jonny Evans clatters the post with a near post header! So close to another goal!

<b>HALF TIME</b> A nightmare return for "King" Kenny. Giggs' first minute penalty giving United the lead before Steven Gerrard was dismissed for a late lunge on Michael Carrick.

Steven Gerrard has let his team down here. There was no need for the challenge on Carrick and he looks like he's cost Liverpool the game here.

Two big decisions in that half for Howard Webb. The penalty was very harsh, Berbatov didn't appear to be touched by Agger but he went down and won the spot kick. The red card was a correct decision, Gerrard was off the ground, two-footed into Carrick.

Kenny Dalglish looks like he has no problems with the red card decision. We've just seen pictures of him viewing the tackle, and his reaction seems to suggest he thought it was a sending off.

<b>SECOND HALF</b> United with the restart.

A bursting run from Giggs, twisting Kelly inside out and earning a corner...

There's a goal at White Hart Lane, Andros Townsend gives Spurs the lead over Charlton. Into the second half in that one as well.

United come within a whisker of doubling their lead, Berbatov and Fletcher combine wonderfully. The Scot clips a delightful cross into Hernandez, who guides his header just wide.

Patrice Evra goes down under challenge from Martin Kelly, it would have been a soft penalty and there's no way Webb would give that after the first half.

Raul Meireles unleashes a wild drive from 40 yards out, it flies wide.

Liverpool are hanging on a little at the start of the second half, if United find another it could turn into a rout.

Nani whips in a deep cross which Berbatov attempts to get on the end of. He fouls Kelly and it's a free kick.

Berbatov should have made it 2-0! Reina comes to collect a cross under pressure from Hernandez. The keeper fumbles the cross and it falls to Berbatov, who under pressure from Skrtel fires over.

Ryan Babel is warming up for Liverpool...

It's now 3-0 at White Hart Lane, a Jermain Defoe brace has sealed the game for Spurs against Charlton.

A half chance for Torres, he fires off a half volley which clatters off Rio Ferdinand.

The longer the game stays 1-0 the longer Liverpool stand a chance. Sir Alex will want a second goal very soon.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Ryan Babel on for Maxi Rodriguez</b>

Ryan Babel straight into the action, the Dutchman evading a couple of challenges before exchanging passes with Jonjo Shelvey and firing off a low shot.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Jonjo Shelvey on for Raul Meireles</b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Anderson on for Darren Fletcher</b>

Fernando Torres is brought down by Anderson 30 yards from goal. An opportunity for Liverpool...

Kuszczak is forced into making a decent save, corner Liverpool...

Evra clears and United can break. Anderson looks up and sees Hernandez, the Mexican is played through but the offside flag is raised.

The noise is increasing inside Old Trafford, Liverpool sensing there might be something in this game for them...

Berbatov almost scores a freak goal for United, Evra deflects the ball into the Bulgarian's path before Reina is forced to flick his close-range shot wide.

The corner causes utter chaos in the penalty area!!! Rafael, Berbatov and Evra are all denied in the space of 30 seconds, super goalkeeping from Reina! In the melee, Ryan Giggs goes down looking for a penalty after a challenge from Skrtel. Nothing given.

Yet another United corner is cleared as far as Berbatov. The Bulgarian over hits his cross back into the penalty area. Goal kick.

This cup tie has finally come to life!

A fantastic run from Hernandez, taking on Kelly who has suffered in the second half. He crosses for Berbatov, who has drifted offside.

The pace has been furious for the last ten minutes. Patrice Evra is again in behind Kelly, but his cross is blocked by Agger.

United threaten again, Anderson threads a pass through for Berbatov. It's narrowly overhit and Reina can gather.

Nani attempts to make a breakthrough, the ball ricocheting off the Portuguese winger and out for a goal kick.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Michael Owen on for Javier Hernandez</b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>David Ngog on for Fernando Torres</b>

A huge statement from Kenny Dalglish, substituting the under-performing Spaniard for Ngog. Would Roy Hodgson have got away with such a move?

Ryan Babel with a header on goal from Kelly's cross, which ripples the side netting.

First contribution from Owen, skinning Martin Skrtel before seeing his near-post cross turned behind for a corner...

Liverpool clear the corner at the second attempt.

Foul by Carrick on Lucas near the centre circle. From the set piece, Jonjo Shelvey inexplicably goes for goal. Predictably, it sails high and wide.

United with another chance to make it two. Very neat and patient build-up play, Evra clipping in a cross for Berbatov at the back post, who heads over.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Chris Smalling on for Jonny Evans</b>

Liverpool corner, Smalling halts Babel's charge down the left...

Agger rises to meet the corner, but a foul is given against the Dane.

United are looking very comfortable now. Can Liverpool create one final chance?

An incisive run from Michael Owen, evading a challenge before hitting a 20-yard shot just wide of the post.

Anderson executes an obscene amount of stepovers before seeing his shot deflected wide for the corner...

Evra attempts an ambitious scissor kick which bounces wide.

Last minute of the 90, Liverpool look beaten...

<b>THREE ADDED MINUTES</b>

Free kick to Liverpool, Babel fouled by Chris Smalling...

Reina pumps the ball towards the edge of the box, Agger gets his head to it but Kuszczak gathers.

Last minute at Old Trafford...

<b>FULL TIME</b> United have won it thanks to Ryan Giggs' first-minute penalty. The reward of the spot kick was highly contentious, but the red card awarded to Steven Gerrard was anything but. His two-footed lunge on Michael Carrick was a certain sending off and it ultimately cost his team.

Spurs are safely through to the fourth round, they've beaten Charlton 3-0 at White Hart Lane.