For the next week at least, Rafa Benitez is back on his throne as the king of set piece matches because lets be honest, if you give the Spaniard a 'must win' match, nine times out of ten he'll come out of it smelling of roses. Forget that grinding week-after-week for elusive league titles, just give him the spectacle and at Anfield that's exactly what we got.

Liverpool was magnificent against a strangely subdued Manchester United and deservedly ran out comfortable two-nil winners while reinvigorating their title dreams. From top to bottom this was a team that needed and wanted it more from the first to final whistle. In the process, Rafa and a number of his players took the critics bile and rammed it down their throats. Questions were answered emphatically!

Reds captain, Jamie Carragher turned in a man-of-the-match performance. Mr. Liverpool, who by his own standards has been poor this campaign was power, aggression personified. Fearsome in the tackle, dominating in the air, it makes me wish he'd call up Fabio Capello and say that he'd love to be considered for England selection again. Sure he could've gone for mugging his old teammate, Michael Owen but on this particular day it wasn't cynical enough to convince Andre Marriner that an early bath was called for.

Yossi Benayoun turned in yet another performance of craft and flair surely convincing his boss that he deserves to start and remain on the park, ninety minutes a pop, every single game. His imagination for the decisive pass was never better exemplified than for the opener.

The key to the match though was the work of the defensive shield of Javier Mascherano and Lucas Leiva. They completely dominated their opponents while starting the attack at every opportunity. Lucas was particularly impressive considering the amount of stick he has been receiving recently. The only blot on the copybook would be Mascherano's suicidal challenge on Edwin van der Sar. Why the Argentine felt compelled to scythe the Dutchman down, only he knows - his loss will be keenly felt as I felt that he was finally shaking off the Maradona induced World Cup Qualifying hangover.

Finally I can't leave the Reds without mentioning the goal scorer, Fernando Torres. Liverpool can survive the loss of Steven Gerrard but forget El Nino who even at 80% fitness is one of the greatest sights I've ever seen on a football pitch. The way he took his one clean-cut chance was breathtaking in its power and desire. Somehow Benitez has to manage his fitness over the next seven months to the best advantage of LFC and not Spain - a double-edged sword for sure.

On the other side of the coin, United's highly impressive 11 game unbeaten streak is over and the meekness of the surrender will have generated some hot air in the visiting dressing room from Sir Alex Ferguson.

Of course his first target was the referee, Marriner and his refusal to grant a spot kick for Carragher's committed challenge on Michael Carrick in the first half saying "Michael Carrick gets a clear penalty kick as far as I was concerned. Jamie Carragher has gone right over the top of the ball. If it is outside of the box it is a free kick and maybe a yellow card. But it was inside the box and the referee was only six yards from it. It was a bad decision, I think."

To give the Scotsman his credit though, he did say and this must've stuck in his craw that Liverpool were the better team and deserved to win the game.

When he conducts his postmortem, a withering look is bound to fall upon, Rio Ferdinand. This is not the first time this campaign that Ferdinand has been responsible for sloppy defending however it is the first time that it has cost them the game. Injuries and age are certainly taking their toll but his rapid rate of deterioration is alarming not only for United but for England's World Cup hopes. Fergie is known for loyalty and patience but he also has a cruel, surgical streak, Rio, you have been warned.

Nemanja Vidic got his now traditional marching orders in this fixture. It is now three consecutive fixtures that the Serb has seen red and each time he can have no argument. Liverpool has taken note that direct running at this usually immaculate defender pays dividends.

The biggest disappointment for me though was Paul Scholes. I have been the biggest fan of the 'Ginger Prince' for as long as I can remember but he doesn't seem to have the legs for this type of encounter anymore. It wasn't that long a go that a misplaced Scholes pass would make headline news, such was the rarity but too often these days they're not finding their targets as he's hurried in possession. I still see him giving full value in Europe where it's more tactical but in the hurly-burly of the Prem, perhaps its time to use him as a substitute.

I would call Dimitar Berbatov a disappointment but why bother it'll take too much effort! This guy is the polar opposite of what a United player is and one wonders just how much longer Fergie can defend him. Silky touches and clever passes will only get you so far at Old Trafford - commitment and drive are the other characteristics. Waving your hands around theatrically and not chasing when play isn't going your way is the surest way to earn yourself a one-way ticket back to London.

Ultimately this loss doesn't hurt United badly, yes, they've had their noses bloodied but in the grand scheme they're exactly where they want to be. Remember this is a team that is second in the table and has all but assured qualification to the knockout round on the UEFA Champions League. They achieved this without Cristiano Ronaldo's goals, without Edwin van der Sar being ever present and without Rio Ferdinand being close to his best. They remain the team to beat.

Kings for the day though are Liverpool and in particular Rafa Benitez. The Spaniard constantly amazes me in his capacity to get the result just when he needs it. If the Saudis buy out George Gillette and he gets a war chest to rival that of Ferguson's and Carlo Ancelotti, perhaps he'll become the King for all seasons.

Until then, I'll see you at the far post.