Liverpool – Manchester United

The team news is in for today's fourth round FA Cup tie between Liverpool and Manchester United, and there are some big calls...

<b>Liverpool line-up:</b> Reina; Kelly, Skrtel, Agger, Jose Enrique; Carragher; Maxi Rodriguez, Gerrard, Henderson, Downing; Carroll

<b>Manchester United line-up:</b> De Gea; Rafael, Smalling, Evans, Evra; Valencia, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs, Park; Welbeck

So David De Gea returns for United, with Danny Welbeck as the lone striker in the absence of the injured Wayne Rooney. Patrice Evra is captain.

For Liverpool, it appears as though Jamie Carragher will be anchoring the midfield, with £35m Andy Carroll the lone frontman. He'll be supported by Steven Gerrard, Maxi Rodriguez and Stewart Downing in midfield. Martin Kelly returns for Glen Johnson, which suggests Kenny Dalglish is concerned about United's attacking threat.

As always, there are some good changers on both benches, with Dimitar Berbatov, Javier Hernandez and Craig Bellamy available.

As for the crucial battles out on the pitch, how Jonny Evans copes with Carroll could decide much. Kelly and Enrique's ability to nullify support for Welbeck from Valencia and Park will also be important, as will Carragher's to provide additional defensive cover.

Sir Alex Ferguson pre-kick off: "I never considered not playing [Patrice] Evra. "It won't be an easy game for either side. The atmosphere's always volatile; it can inspire either side."

Both teams are in the Anfield tunnel. Kick-off is minutes away...

United kick-off...

Unsurprisingly, the atmosphere is as loud as predicted and the tempois high. United instantly push forward...

And the midfield is already looking congested, with both five-man midfields vying for possession.

United with a throw-in deep into Liverpool's half...

Ryan Giggs is the current record holder for most appearances in fixtures between these two sides

Shot from Maxi on the edge of United's box! Decent save from De Gea with the ball swerving. Liverpool corner.

Carroll crowding De Gea at the corner...

But the corner goes to waste. Gerrard's inswinging cross overhit and curls back out for a goal kick.

Liverpool escape a poor back pass from Downing. United briefly threatened but, in trying to supply Welbeck, lose possession and Agger clears.

Unsurprisingly, Gerrard's already very much the focal point for much of Liverpool's play.

Giggs shoots! In a similar position to Maxi's but Reina saves. Early intent from both sides.

Dangerous there from Liverpool. Henderson broke down the left wing and crossed for Gerrard but Liverpool's captain failed to control the ball as he'd wish and couldn't get the shot away.

Evra being booed by Liverpool's fans...

Liverpool throw-in deep in United's half

The resultant cross is aimed at Carroll but he can't connect as he'd wish and instead lofts the ball harmlessly above De Gea for the Spaniard to catch.

Kelly looking lively so far. Clearly wants to make an impact after Johnson had taken his place in the side.

United now with possession in midfield...

In contrast to what was suggested by the line-ups of each side, both are currently playing some nice, one-touch football

Carragher fouls Park. United free-kick near the halfway line

Scholes looks more composed today; so far signs of his absence aren't showing

Downing fouls Evra deep in Liverpool's half. Dangerous position; good crossing opportunity for United.

Valencia hits the post! Great effort! Nice, individual run followed by a toe-poked shot that beat Reina but came back out off the post.

United throw-in...

Liverpool now progressing into United's half...

Downing attempts a similar run to Valencia's but cannot get his shot away before Enrique's effort is deflected out for a corner...

<b>Liverpool 1-0 United!</b> Agger heads in the corner after Liverpool successfully crowd De Gea and prevent the 'keeper from punching the corner away.

Liverpool free-kick...

And it's another corner. United fail to clear the ball properly...

This time De Gea clears...

Gerrard very wasteful there! Thanks to good work from Carroll, Gerrard manages to break and had plenty of support but instead decided to shoot and ultimately wasted what was a good opportunity. The shot wasn't even on target.

United now enjoying a spell of possession...

Well defended there from Kelly. United were threatening and had players in the box but the defender prevented Giggs from shooting with a well timed tackle

Liverpool with the throw-in

And another, deep in United's half...

Which is wasted. United back in possession...

Scholes, Carrick and Evans exchanging possession near the halfway line.

Scholes gradually plays a deeper role as his career progresses but he still looks like he has time on the ball and seems a calming influence on those around him. Such a composed player.

Liverpool free-kick on the edge of their own area. Reina to take.

Both midfields very much cancelling the other out. Both sides tend to make progress down the wings but struggle to make space or ground through the middle.

Liverpool now sitting deep, allowing United possession around the halfway line

Kelly again defending well against Giggs, but the veteran midfielder shows his experience by keeping posession instead of committing himself and losing the ball

United still with the ball in midfield. Again, Liverpool remain deep and allow Scholes and Carrick as much possession they want, content to surround Welbeck and leave United with nothing to aim at

<b>Goal! Liverpool 1-1 Manchester United!</b> Very good equaliser from United!

Rafael gets in behind Enrique and sends a low cross into the penalty area that Park finishes with a powerful effort. Very good goal.

United again pushing forward...

United suddenly look like they've an extra man on the pitch. Liverpool optimistically aim for Andy Carroll in possession United are comfortable defending

Good catch from Reina, collecting Valencia's deflected cross with Welbeck lurking.

United again enjoying possession in midfield, with Liverpool standing off and opting not to press

Reina collects the loose ball...

Poor decision making from Enrique. Had Downing outside him in space, who could have crossed into the box, but instead chose to do so himself from an awkward position

United again in possession in midfield...

<b>Half-time: Liverpool 1-1 Manchester United</b>

Despite a positive start for Liverpool, United grew into the game and began to dominate possession. Unless something changes, it's difficult to see how they can score without a set piece. They need new ideas.

United are currently very patient and showing their experience, and though Welbeck looks very isolated, they're looking far more likely to score

Teams are back out for the second-half..

Liverpool kick-off...

Liverpool free-kick following Carrick's challenge on Carroll

Aimed towards Carroll but it comes to nothing. Liverpool still have possession but there's currently no threat

Liverpool goal-kick...

Liverpool currently struggling to make any real progress, with United still looking as though they've an extra man

United go close! Dangerous cross across the penalty box that Liverpool initially struggled to clear, but there's no one thereto convert it (Hernandez, currently on the bench, would have been of some use)

Liverpool's midfield currently looks so static

Giggs' cross deflected out. United corner

Corner comes to nothing, and though Kelly's mistake gifts Giggs plenty of space the midfielder is penalised for being offside. Liverpool escape

Craig Bellamy currently warming up, which is actually just what Liverpool need...

Uncertainty from De Gea gives Downing a crossing opportunity that United just clear

De Gea still yet to settle in today's fixture, it seems, even though this writer believes the stick aimed at him has been over the top

Liverpool appeal for the penalty following an apparent handball from Smalling, but at best it's a clumsy slip. Carroll fails to capitalise on the loose ball and Liverpool win a corner

...which comes to nothing as the referee blows for a foul

Drama at the other end! Welbeck takes the ball around Reina before Skrtel saves the goalkeeper. Poor from the 'keeper

United now with the ball back in defence...

Maxi gives the ball away in midfield following a poor touch when they had the chance to counter United. Very much seems to be the way the game's going for Liverpool

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Maxi booked for a two-footed challenge...

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Carragher off (on his birthday), Kuyt on

Poor free-kick from Giggs, gives the ball away and Liverpoool break through Downing...

Rafael tackles well but Liverpool have the throw-in...

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Maxi off, Adam on

Adam's cross unsettles De Gea and win the corner...

Blatant foul by Rafael on Downing. Free-kick to Liverpool from shooting range...

Good save from De Gea after Gerrard curls the shoot into his near post

Carrick shoots wide! Good effort though, one that Reina had to dive for

Good 'keeping from De Gea. Kuyt sent in a dangerous cross that Evans failed to deal with, leaving the Spaniard exposed but he collected well. even with Carroll lurking

United throw-in...

Liverpool now breaking, and again through Downing...

Good 'keeping from De Gea again, stopping Gerrard's goal bound cross despite the potential awkwardness involved...

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Gerrard off, Bellamy on

Surprising that Dalglish removed Gerrard, even though bringing on Bellamy was an obvious call. Liverpool will hope for more energy in the final third

De Gea again collects Kuyt's cross, though it wasn't the most dangerous of deliveries from the Dutchman

Agger clears Evra's cross. It has to be said Evra's been in good form lately following a shocking (by his standards) start to the season

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Scholes off, Hernandez on

Potential change of shape here for United...

Will United now play with two strikers? It's obvious both managers want to avoid a replay and making their schedules even busier by winning a today

Foul by Henderson. Free-kick to United near the halfway line

And another by Agger. Free-kick now in a better position for United...

From which Carrick gets a shooting opportunity but the midfielder has to stretch to reach the ball and fires wide

Liverpool break...

Adam shoots but the shot's blocked by Welbeck

And Adam shoots again, though this time he fires wide. United goal-kick

Kuyt's shot deflected; De Gea collects

Liverpool free-kick near the halfway line following Smalling's challenge on Bellamy...

The game's certainly picking up in intensity again, either side could conceivably win and has plenty of time to do so

Kuyt heads wide! He really needs a goal

And Welbeck shoots wide at the other end. It's been a tough game for him. Despite his obvious improvement as a player, he's been isolated for much of the afternoon

Kuyt caught well offside, poor positioning from him

Liverpool again uncertain in the final third, unsure of what to do with the ball with United defending in numbers...

Welbeck fires high and wide...

Poor effort from the striker when he had options there. Nice cross from Valencia, though, in the build-up...

<b>Goal! Liverpool 2-1 United!</b> Kuyt scores!

Carroll knocks Reina's long ball into Kuyt's path and the Dutchman finishes well with his first touch of the ball. Good knockdown from Carroll, and good finish from Kuyt.

Liverpool and Kuyt go close again! Carroll heads against the ball and the rebound comes to Kuyt, though the Dutchman fires wide. Poor effort with the game their to be won (if it isn't already)

Great tempo in this game now...

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Berbatov on, Giggs off

Three minutes of added time to be played...

Evans gifts Liverpool a throw-in following very poor control of the ball...

Liverpool now trying to run the clock down...

Henderson and Carroll both shielding the ball near United's corner flag...

De Gea hits the ball long but it looks as though time's up for United...

<b>Full-time! Liverpool 2-1 Manchester United</b>

This is a result that caps a great week for Liverpool who, in addition to reaching the Carling Cup final and a first fixture at Wembley since 1996, have knocked United out of the FA Cup and advance to the fifth round

Though the tempo was high throughout, it wasn't a great game of football and it's difficult to make a real case for either side deserving to win. United certainly had the majority of the possession but were also short of ideas in the final third...

Steven Gerrard post-game: "You have to give Utd credit they controlled large periods of the game today but we got there in the end...If it wasn't for [Andy] Carroll today we might not be in the [FA Cup} draw tomorrow"

Roy Keane post-game: "In terms of possession and quality, United edged it, but they were poor goals to concede"

Paul Ince: "It was schoolboy defending..."

Roy Keane: "The substitutions for Liverpool won them the game"