Ferguson relieved after victory

Report: Liverpool 1-2 Man Utd

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson revealed he was relieved at the end of the crucial Premiership victory at Liverpool.

Ferguson watched his side go two goals ahead after Ryan Giggs' double - but Harry Kewell's reply left United hanging on at the final whistle.

Photos from Anfield

And Liverpool were frustrated when referee Graham Poll ignored penalty appeals after Florent Sinama-Pongolle tangled with Rio Ferdinand, before Emile Heskey wasted a perfect chance in the final seconds.

Liverpool put everything into that first half, they were better than us in that period Man Utd manager Sir Alex Ferguson

The champions held on for a second successive 2-1 league win at Liverpool to keep up the pressure on title pace-setters Arsenal and Chelsea.

Ferguson said: "It was a fantastic match, really incredible and every player on the pitch deserved full marks. and we had to hang on at the end.

"It made it all very exciting and it is a pleasure to be involved in these sort of games.

Liverpool match reaction

"They played with a conviction that we did not match. We lacked confidence for some reason, maybe because their good start put us on the back foot.

"But in the second period we were more like our real selves, we got 2-0 in front, but then Liverpool started playing well again. It meant a nail biting finish."

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