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Dalglish wants to focus on football Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish is keen for the "sideshow" which has developed around the fringes of tomorrow's game against Manchester United to remain in the background. While an FA Cup fourth-round tie between England's two most decorated clubs who share such a bitter rivalry would be enough to crank up the tension, a new element has been introduced in recent months. The two sets of supporters have taken opposite stances in the wake of Reds striker Luis Suarez's eight-match suspension after being found guilty of racially abusing United's Patrice Evra when the two sides met at Anfield in October. That incident stoked the simmering feud which exists between groups of rival fans and, with the case being played out in the full glare of the media - many of whom criticised Liverpool for their defence of Suarez - the issue has rarely been out of the headlines in three months. The Uruguay international still has two matches of his ban to serve so will not be on the pitch tomorrow - although he is likely to be in the directors' box - but it is anticipated Evra will play. But Dalglish insisted the focus had to be on football and everyone involved, from the pitch to the stands, had to behave. "We want to concentrate on going out and playing football and any other sideshow is purely that, it is just a sideshow," the Scot said. "Everyone has a responsibility to uphold the names of their respective club and anyone who reports or comments on the game also has the responsibility to make sure they are not trying to incite trouble. "But it is not only the fans who have to behave themselves; we have a responsibility to behave - but that is the case every time. "I am sure everyone will be determined to make sure what's done has been done and whatever your grievance is keep it to yourself and let's get on with the game." Much has been done to lessen the potential for problems at Anfield. United boss Sir Alex Ferguson sent a letter to ticket holders appealing for them to work with the stewards in the stadium after previous encounters had led to their allocation being cut because of persistent standing in gangways. Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre and captain Steven Gerrard have both stressed the focus has to be on football and Merseyside Police earlier this week issued their own guidance, insisting they would be: "Firm, fair and friendly but take action where necessary against those individuals who may seek to cause problems or misbehave." Midfielder Jay Spearing could be recalled to Liverpool's squad after missing three matches with a hamstring injury. Ferguson has stayed clear of the entire row since his initial confirmation that United would back Evra in whatever action he chose to take. However, the Scot feels now is the time to try and ensure all the talk is about the game, rather than the obvious issues surrounding it. "It is a massive game for both clubs," he said. "There is a tremendous profile on it and will be interest throughout the country. "As Steven Gerrard said, there is a responsibility on the players to behave properly. That is what I expect my players to do. "Both sets of fans have got to make sure we are talking about the game and nothing else." Ferguson flatly refused to speak directly about Evra, or whether he would play. However, assistant Mike Phelan has already said the stand-in United skipper would be available for selection, which given Ferguson's massive injury list, is hardly a surprise. Wayne Rooney and Phil Jones (both ankle) and Rio Ferdinand (back) are amongst those who are thought to be causing concern. Nani (foot) is expected to miss out, although there has been no official update on the winger's fitness since he limped out of last Sunday's win at Arsenal.
Match Report
Kuyt strike sinks United Dirk Kuyt hit the late winner as Liverpool gained revenge for their FA Cup exit at the hands of Manchester United a year ago courtesy of a 2-1 win. Off-field matters had dominated pre-match proceedings as both sides tried to ease tensions ahead of the first meeting of the two sides since Luis Suarez's eight-match ban for racially abusing Patrice Evra. But while there was plenty of animosity in the ground between rival fans, the match itself, somewhat unusually, contained very few flashpoints. With Suarez still banned, Evra became the focal point, and it was his failure to get to Andy Carroll's flick-on first that put Kuyt through to fire the clincher in the 88th minute. Prior to that it appeared the tie was heading towards a replay neither manager really wanted, after Park Ji-sung had cancelled out Daniel Agger's header in the first half. Evra's every touch was roundly booed, with the left-back also subjected to chants claiming his evidence to the Football Association's disciplinary commission had not been entirely reliable. The United captain took it all in his stride, particularly in a strong challenge from Stewart Downing, but the temperament of goalkeeper David de Gea was more open to question. On his last visit to Anfield the Spaniard had produced an impressive display to earn United a 1-1 draw, but after one early save from Maxi Rodriguez he began to look slightly more shaky on his first appearance in 2012. De Gea would have been relieved to see Jose Enrique's long-range strike deflect behind off Chris Smalling. But he exposed himself to criticism at the resulting corner as his preoccupation with trying to push Carroll out of his way allowed Agger to rise highest to head home Gerrard's cross. Just moments earlier United had almost taken the lead when Antonio Valencia cut in from the right to fire a shot past Reina which rebounded back off his right-hand post. Jamie Carragher, on his 34th birthday, was brought into the starting line-up, but an unfamiliar holding role in front of the back four for the Anfield veteran handed the midfield initiative to the visitors. Following the opening goal United enjoyed a long spell of possession, knocking the ball around in midfield without any end product. But just when they looked like squandering their dominance they equalised as Rafael da Silva shrugged off Enrique far too easily to get to the byline and drill over a low cross from the right which Park smashed first time past Reina, into the bottom right corner. Early in the second half Ryan Giggs' cross from the left to the far post resulted in a moment of panic for Agger, but the Denmark international cleared with his knee under pressure from Valencia. Chris Smalling had a similar episode of concern as he slipped when dealing with Enrique's pass into the penalty area, with Carroll's appeal for hands after he smashed the ball at the centre-back falling on deaf ears. As the game started to open up Michael Carrick's defence-splitting pass saw Danny Welbeck knock the ball past Reina but Martin Skrtel got back to clear as the shot trickled goalwards. The Carragher experiment was brought to an end in the 63rd minute when he was replaced by Kuyt, while Charlie Adam came on for Rodriguez. De Gea's difficult afternoon continued as he allowed a Downing cross to slip through his fingers for a corner, although he managed to hold on from a Gerrard free-kick. With 18 minutes remaining Craig Bellamy, the midweek hero against Manchester City in the Carling Cup, surprisingly replaced Gerrard, before Adam sent a long-range strike wide and Kuyt put a weak header from Downing's cross off target. The Holland international made up for his miss two minutes from time when he popped up with the winner. Reina's punt downfield was flicked on by Carroll and Kuyt got ahead of Evra to fire past De Gea. It was only his second goal of the season, his other coming in the Carling Cup, but was as vital as the hat-trick he scored on this ground in the victory over against United last season. Kuyt could have put the result beyond doubt moments later when Carroll crashed a header against the angle of post and crossbar but the striker stabbed the rebound wide. The visitors looked for a way back in the closing stages but there was not enough time to respond. Liverpool duly extended their unbeaten run at home to United to five matches, making up for some of the hurt felt after their third-round exit at Old Trafford a year ago in what was manager Kenny Dalglish's first match back in his second spell in charge.
