Liverpool v Manchester United – in pictures

What a day to make a debut this would be for Andy Carroll. Following his £35m move from Newcastle in January, Carroll is finally fit and ready to pull on the No9 jersey for Liverpool. Kenny Dalglish has, predictably, named him among the substitutes, so perhaps a second-half introduction awaits Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty Images The two managers, both of whom were raised in Govan, Glasgow, shake hands before the match. Heck, you'd almost think they were friends from the look on Dalglish's face Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters Ryan Giggs, making a club record 607th appearance for United, fends off Martin Skrtel as Liverpool boss the opening minutes Photograph: Peter Byrne/PA Wayne Rooney is caught from behind by Steven Gerrard Photograph: John Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images It's a physical contest today, as you'd expect. Here, Glen Johnson puts his head in the firing line as Nani hooks the ball clear Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters In the 34th minute, Luis Suárez skips beautifully between a clutch of United defenders, nutmegging Rafael da Silva in the process ... Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty Images He slides the ball across the goalline towards Dirk Kuyt, who can't help but score Photograph: Jason Cairnduff/Action Images United's players appeal that Kuyt was offside but their cries are rightly dismissed Photograph: Peter Byrne/PA Kuyt and Suárez celebrate the opening goal – the Dutchman looks almost apologetic Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty Images Five minutes later, Kuyt is presented with another opportunity from close range and, once again, he scores. Nani was the inadvertent provider this time as his attempted clearance looped horribly in the wrong direction to the unmarked Dutchman. It's 2-0 to Liverpool Photograph: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images Rafael has a bit of a tantrum after being penalised for a sliding challenge. In fairness, the United player was himself fouled in the preceding play Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty Images This is getting farcical now ... Kuyt, who had never before scored against United, is handed his hat-trick in the 65th minute when his Holland team-mate Edwin van der Sar spills the ball at his feet. That's now three goals scored from the sum total of seven yards! Photograph: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images Kuyt's goal was the product of a low, direct free-kick aimed at the near post by Suárez Photograph: Lindsey Parnaby/EPA Looks like it'll be two defeats in a week for United. Not what Ferguson ordered Photograph: John Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images Carroll joins the action with 16 minutes remaining to a huge roar from the Kop. But he can't add to Kuyt's tally Photograph: Jason Cairnduff/Action Images Sir Bobby Charlton looks aghast at what he's witnessing. Even Javier Hernández's stoppage-time header can't soften this defeat and the match ends 3-1. United are now just three points ahead of Arsenal but the Gunners have a game in hand which could tip the title race in their favour. Dalglish couldn't have wished for more Photograph: Tim Hales/AP