Manchester United climbed back on top of the Premier League with a significant victory which ended an Anfield jinx and launched them confidently towards title glory.
United demonstrated championship credentials before sceptical Merseyside fans more accustomed to watching their own team chasing football's major prize.
Mark Hughes and Brian McClair claimed United's first Anfield goals in five visits to give Alex Ferguson's outfit a one-point advantage over Aston Villa with 11 matches left.
If United eventually claim the championship, they will owe goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel a huge debt. The outcome of this frenzied clash - and possibly the title race - hinged on a 22nd minute incident. With Liverpool laying siege to the United goal, Don Hutchison controlled the ball and turned to shoot from 12 yards in one movement. It looked a goal all the way but Schmeichel flung himself sideways and knocked the ball aside with his left hand.
In those nervy early stages United were fortunate not to concede an own goal when full-back Paul Parker sliced a Mark Walters cross against the underside of his bar.
But United deserved the good fortune that came their way with Paul Ince and Brian McClair working feverishly in midfield to gain some measure of control.
The breakthrough came after 42 minutes when a moment of carelessness from Paul Stewart presented the ball to Dennis Irwin who found Ryan Giggs. The young Welshman's cross was perfect for Hughes to head in his 13th goal of the season.
Stewart was immediately replaced by substitute Ian Rush who put Liverpool back in the game after 50 minutes when Steve Bruce and Irwin hesitated over a clearance. The Welsh international pounced to arrow his shot over the stranded Schmeichel.
Hughes came close to restoring United's lead in the 53rd minute when David James knocked away his close range effort but three minutes later McClair headed in after a Lee Sharpe corner had been flicked on by Gary Pallister.
Schmeichel came to United's rescue once more by denying Rush in the closing stages while Hughes twice missed from close range in breakaways and Andrei Kanchelskis rifled a right-foot shot against a post.
Manager Alex Ferguson was jubilant after United had survived an early roasting to extend their magnificent run to only one defeat in the last 16 games and Ferguson said: "I can't hide my pleasure at this result. Given the history of both clubs and their rivalry we realised that this was Liverpool's cup final and if we won it we would strike a real blow for ourselves."
Ferguson praised Danish goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel who produced an incredible left-handed save to foil Don Hutchison when a hectic match was still scoreless. He said: "That was an unbelievable save and I don't think I've seen a better one. We didn't start well when we were defending too deeply but we began to create chances for ourselves in the second-half. We showed determination and our confidence is sky-high,"
"The pace of the game was incredible and there are plenty of exhausted players in both dressing rooms. We are certainly playing well at the right time but we musn't get carried away."
Liverpool boss Graeme Souness blamed Paul Stewart for the first goal and David James for the second.
He said: "Paul damaged a hamstring and trying a clearance in that position was a mistake, but he has held up his hands. For the second, David decided to come for the ball before the corner had been taken and he ended up in No Man's Land. We played very well for the first 35 minutes but United are playing with lots of confidence and in Giggs they have a very special player. We are not scoring enough goals. United weathered the early storm, took their opportunities and must have a good chance of winning the title. But so do Villa."
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