The first half ends with Liverpool almost going further behind again - first Danny Welbeck's charge into the Liverpool area was met with a strong tackle from Daniel Agger, before an attempted Liverpool counter-attack was stopped short by Rafael. The Brazilian then made a great run into the area, collecting a long Michael Carrick pass and cutting the ball back to Van Persie, whose attempted backheel was just kept out by Reina, with Shinji Kagawa failing to make contact on the follow-up. That couldn't have been closer.
Manchester United vs. Liverpool: Half-time score 1-0, Robin van Persie has Red Devils ahead
Shortly before, a Martin Skrtel header came back out to Tom Cleverley on the edge of the area, who met it with a sweet left-footed volley which just dropped wide of the far post with Pepe Reina beaten. United will come to rue these chances if they don't end up winning this.
Ashley Young appears to have picked up a knock after he collided with Daniel Agger, the Dane landing on Young's knee awkwardly. He's been limping slightly, and Antonio Valencia is warming up on the touchline, so that's a change that could happen when the teams come back out for the second half.
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