Liverpool Defeated Manchester City 3 - 2

Dirk Kuyt scored his first Barclays Premier League goal since November to secure a dramatic victory for Liverpool.

The Holland striker rattled the ball home in stoppage time to stun 10-man Manchester City.

The home side had raced into a two-goal lead in the first half through Stephen Ireland and Javier Garrido.

Fernando Torres pulled a goal back before City's Pablo Zabaleta was sent off.

The momentum was then with Liverpool with Torres adding a second before Kuyt had the final word.

“I’m really pleased with the result, though I’m disappointed for Martin with his injury,” Benítez said afterwards. “The positive thing was the reaction of the players after a bad first half. We made two mistakes for both goals, but the reaction and character we showed in the second half was key to winning the game. It is better for me if we don’t concede those goals, but if you can win, it shows that the players are ready to win every game. Physically we are in good condition, so credit to our fitness coach. We also have great belief and mentality.”

“We had spoken at half-time about the likely response of Liverpool,” Hughes said. “We needed to be ready for it and we weren’t.”

Liverpool 2-1 Manchester United

Liverpool Defeated Manchester United 2 -1 and ended their dream run of 5 successive wins over Liverpool in Premier League.

Ryan Babel's second-half strike ended Manchester United's run of five successive league wins over Liverpool. Liverpool came from a goal behind to beat Manchester United 2-1 in a dramatic Anfield encounter that could easily have been won by either side.

It also gave Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez his first victory over the Old Trafford men in 10 Premier League attempts. A first-half own goal from Wes Brown and a Ryan Babel winner close to the end were enough for Rafa Benitez to take three points off rival Sir Alex Ferguson for the first time.

United took the lead early on through Carlos Tevez. But Liverpool forced their way back into the match with a bizarre Wes Brown own goal, before dominating the second period - which saw Nemanja Vidic sent off. Then substitute Babel struck the winner.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez said: "It was good for the confidence of the players. At half-time we were talking about having confidence and determination going forwards and in the second half we were the best team. We showed quality and character to come back and the understanding of (Robbie) Keane and (Dirk) Kuyt was very good."

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said: "You don't expect that from Manchester United. When we have a bad day we usually still get something from the game. Overall, they were the better team today. Liverpool produced a performance of tackling, hassling and getting about us. You have to give them credit for that - but at the end of the day, we should cope."

Liverpool Signed Brazilian Youngster Vitor Flora

Rafael Benitez has signed 18-year-old Brazilian striker Vitor Flora on a free transfer. Flora spent last season with Brazilian club Botafogo. It is Rafa Benitez who has taken the decision to bring the talented teenager to England.

He holds an Italian passport, which avoids any work permit issues in a fellow-EU member country, and could make his Liverpool debut as early as tomorrow night when reserve team manager Gary Ablett takes his team to the Riverside to face Middlesbrough.

That will depend upon Flora’s necessary international clearance being obtained in time. Flora joins compatriots Fabio Aurelio, Lucas Leiva and Diego Cavalieri on the Anfield payroll.