Wayne Rooney could be said to have an important role in the match between Manchester United against Liverpool at Old Trafford on Saturday (11/2). The 26-year striker contributed two goals for United in the match ending with a score of 2-1 for the Red Devils.

United started the game quite slow. They let Liverpool take the initiative to attack first. Their goalkeeper David de Gea even almost conceded a couple of times by malicious attacks from the Reds. Fortunately the finishing of the Liverpool attacker were not good.

United tried to take over the game half way through the first half. They also had ball-possession over 50 percent and created several chances. However, the tight defense of the Reds along with the presence of Pepe Reina, who played quite well, made Wayne Rooney and other United forwards trouble scoring. The 0-0  score stayed until the interval.

In the second half, United tried to directly attack when the match resumed. They pressed each time a player holds the ball from Liverpool’s back line. The tactic worked quite well. The second half had just gone for two minutes, the Red Devils took a 1-0 lead immediately.

United’s first goal was scored by Rooney. Stood guard in front of the Liverpool goal, the England striker immediately launched a volley welcoming Antonio Valencia’s corner.

Rooney then gave United a  2-0 advantage two minutes later. Starting from Antonio Valencia, who managed to steal the ball from Jay Spearing, he then made a through pass to Rooney. Rooney then immediately released a placed shot to the bottom right corner of Reina’s goal.

Liverpool did made United surprised with a goal by Luis Suarez, however, United managed to keep their lead and Liverpool failed to add goals.

With this win, Sir Alex Ferguson’s crew temporarily sits on top of the standings with 58 points from 25 matches, shifting Manchester City, who now has 57 points from 24 matches.