Liverpool modest as Fergie seeks lift

Liverpool players celebrate McAllister's penalty opener

Liverpool are not getting carried away after beating Premiership champions Manchester United 2-1 in the Charity Shield curtain raiser.

A Gary McAllister penalty and a Michael Owen effort gave Liverpool victory despite a fierce Manchester United backlash which brought a goal from Ruud van Nistelrooy.

But Anfield boss Gerard Houllier and goalkeeper Sander Westerveld were quick to talk down Liverpool's title challenge.

I don't think you can draw conclusions from this match

  Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier

"At the moment I am worried because the team which has won the Charity Shield in recent years has not won the title," said Houllier.

"I don't think you can draw conclusions from this match."

Westerveld pulled off three vital saves to deny United and picked up the man-of-the-match award.

He said: "It doesn't say too much about the season.

"Last year Chelsea beat them 2-0 and had high expectations.

"We played well and it's a good result but it doesn't say anything about the championship."

Westerveld added: "Some people say this match doesn't matter, but a cup is a cup. It is never a friendly against Manchester United."

Old Trafford boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes the defeat could be just the jolt his players need.

Van Nistelrooy scored an impressive goal

"We started sluggishly and we were slow to the ball, but that's the type of thing you get in pre-season," he said.

"We started to pass the ball quicker in the second half when we really got the bit between our teeth.

"We persevered with the system we set out and some interesting things evolved from it.

"When you pass the ball and move like we did in the second half you don't need systems because you've got quality footballers who can change positions.

"Liverpool looked sharper in the first half, but we dominated when we got our game going."

Ferguson and Houllier will lose a large contingent of their players in the week leading up to the start of the top-flight season because of England's friendly against Holland.

Ferguson added: "It's a bit of a nuisance, but it is an important week for England because they really need this get together before the Germany game.

"We have got 18 players away - buy you have to accept it and get on with it."