FA Cup 4th Round: Liverpool vs. Manchester United

Liverpool has been somewhat underwhelming in the league this year, nobody could really deny that. Their cup form has been impressive though, especially at the expense of the Manchester sides. Earlier this week they eliminated City from the Carling Cup and looked to take United out of the FA Cup on Saturday.

The match was pretty heated, as it usually is when they two sides get together. Though United had the better of the possession throughout the match, Liverpool were more than able to get the touches they needed to get the job done. Maxi Rodriguez woke David De Gea early in goal, with a stinging shot in the 4th minute. Ryan Giggs responded a few minutes later for United though, hitting a shot right at Pepe Reina.

The teams continued to exchange chances throughout the first half. Andy Carroll sent yet another disappointing header high in the 11th minute, and Antonio Valencia hit the post for United in the 17th. The first goal of the match would go to Liverpool though, as Daniel Agger headed home a goal in the 21st to make it 1-0 to Liverpool. United's marking on the set piece left a lot to be desired, but De Gea's positioning was horrid on the play as well.

United would strike back before half time however. Ji-Sung Park, who always seems to come up with the big moments in the big games, volleyed in a goal from a fantastic cross by Rafael to equalize the match at 1-1.

Again United came out controlling the ball for much of the second half, but Liverpool had the best chances. United looked somewhat lost in the final third without the injured Wayne Rooney. Steven Gerrard forced a save out of De Gea off of a free kick in the 67th minute, but United immediately countered that resulted in a shot by Michael Carrick going just wide of the Liverpool goal.

Dirk Kuyt came in as a second half sub for Liverpool and again put the hurt on United, as he is known to do. In the 88th minute Reina booted the ball down field to the head of Andy Carroll, the big center forward flicked on to Kuyt who, absolutely torched Patrice Evra and slammed the ball past a struggling De Gea to give Liverpool the 2-1 win.

The loss puts United out of both domestic cups and the Champions League. It's tough to see them really caring much about the Europa League, so I suspect their focus will continue to be on retaining the Premiership. Liverpool of course, are still in the running for both domestic cups.

DANIEL AGGER SCORES FOR LIVERPOOL. (Alex Livesey--Getty Images)