Manchester United fell to a 2-0 defeat against Liverpool in soccer's English Premier League.

Liverpool have clawed their way back into the hunt for soccer's English Premier League title after a 2-0 victory over bitter rivals Manchester United.

In a tense encounter, Spanish forward Fernando Torres was the real difference between the two teams, despite needing a pre-match pain killing injection to make it onto the pitch in the first place.

The striker helped stop a run of four successive defeats for Liverpool by netting his 34th goal in just 35 appearances at the club's home ground of Anfield.

He scored after 65 minutes, shaking off the attentions of United centre back Rio Ferdinand to fire home past Edwin van der Saar at The Kop end.

Sport betting fans surely would have put money on United's Serbian defender Nemanja Vidic being sent off for the third match in a row against Liverpool, after hauling down Dirk Kuyt while the forward was through on goal.

Boisterous midfielder Javier Mascherano also saw red for Liverpool late in proceedings after a second bookable offence for a challenge on the United goalkeeper.

Victory was assured for Liverpool after a late strike from substitute David Ngog, which came after six minutes of stoppage time.