Liverpool blast Manchester United behind Kuyt hat trick

The EPL title race is officially back in play.  Liverpool's convincing 3-1 win over leaders Manchester United has thrown the race into confusion. Arsenal are only 3 points behind now and have a game in hand that could make things all even heading into the home stretch.

Manchester United knew this was going to be a difficult trip to Anfield as they were lacking centerback.  Vidic was suspended.  Ferdinand and Evans were injured.  It left the job to Wes Brown and Chris Smalling.  They were simply not up to the task as Dirk Kuyt and David Suarez ran wild all afternoon.  Man U, however, almost had an early lead but Berbatov saw his strike glance off the outside of the Liverpool post. 

From there it was all Liverpool as Kuyt and Suarez took over.  A weaving run inside the penalty area saw David Silva slip past 4 United defenders before sliding the ball to the backpost wher Dirk Kuyt tapped in.  Five minutes later the lead was 2-0 when Kuyt got his 2nd heading home from close range.  The header was gifted as Nani inexplicably headed back into his own 6 yar box.

Liverpool were in control as the game went into the second half.  Everyone waited for the Manchester United response.  In the 54th it came, but Meireles denied a Berbatv header, clearing it off the line with his chest.   More gaps were appearing in the United defense though, and when Dirk Kuyt put Meireles clean through Van der Sar came to the rescue by palming his angled shot away.  The Dutchman was at fault in the 65th minute, however, when he spilled Suarez's freekick and his compatriot knocked in the rebound.

Chicaharito scored a late header, but it was only a conselation as Liverpool were deserved winners 3-1.  Manchester United now are in big trouble.  Once running away with the EPL title, they are now caught.