05.04.2003 - Hyypia off as Reds thrashed at Old Trafford

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Goals from Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Ryan Giggs and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer gave Man United their biggest win since the 1953/54 season, to send United level with Arsenal at the top of the Premiership.

Liverpool were behind after only 4 minutes, after Van Nistelrooy scored from the penalty spot having been brought down in the area by Sami Hyypia, who was issued with a straight red card by referee Mike Riley.

Houllier made an immediate change, bringing on Igor Biscan to fill the gap left by Hyypia, with Milan Baros the player to be sacrificed.

And for the next hour of the game, Liverpool coped with everything that United were able to throw at them, without really manging to put the home side under any significant pressure at the opposite end.

But a controversial penalty awarded midway through the second half saw Liverpool go 2-0 down, and from that moment on, the game was over.

Late additions to the scoreline firstly through Ryan Giggs, and thn from Solskjaer in the final minute only added to Liverpool's misery, and with Chelsea winning away to Sunderland, Liverpool now need to claw back a five point deficit on their London rivals if they're to claim 4th place in the table come the end of the season.

Liverpool's next game is at home to Fulham next Saturday.