Early Title Win

Liverpool hosted Arsenal in the thirty-third round of the Premier League.

This was Liverpool's first match after their incredible Champions League comeback against Chelsea. Benitez rotated his lineup, with both Yang Yang and Gerrard starting on the bench, while Gareth Bale and Benayoun were handed starts.

After kickoff, Liverpool still enjoyed the advantage on the field, but Arsenal defended very solidly.

It was not until the opening minutes of the second half, in the forty-ninth minute, that Sagna made a mistake clearing the ball. Kuyt sent in two consecutive crosses from the right, and Crouch headed the ball home inside the box to open the scoring for Liverpool.

Seven minutes later, Kuyt won the ball from Gibbs again and crossed from the right side of the penalty area. Benayoun surged forward at speed and headed home from close range, extending the score to 2–0.

Although Arsenal launched a comeback in the final stages and pulled one goal back, Liverpool ultimately defeated the Gunners 2–1 at home and claimed all three points once again.

In the FA Cup semifinals, Liverpool once again traveled to Old Trafford.

Manchester United had virtually no hope of winning the Premier League title, because if Liverpool defeated Hull City away in the next round, the Reds would clinch the title with four rounds remaining. Manchester United's chances of mounting a comeback had become vanishingly small.

Under these circumstances, Ferguson concentrated all his forces on the FA Cup and Champions League matches.

Benitez likewise shifted his focus to the cup competitions, and key players such as Yang Yang and Gerrard all started this match.

Manchester United had learned from their previous experience. Even at home, they continued to play defensively. At right-back, neither O'Shea nor Brown started; instead, they fielded the young Brazilian Rafael.

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