Liverpool’s Luis Suarez celebrates after scoring against Manchester United, during their English Premier League soccer match at Old Trafford Stadium, Manchester, England, Sunday, March 16, 2014. AP PHOTO/JON SUPER
MANCHESTER, England—Steven Gerrard converted two penalties and Luis Suarez also scored as Liverpool confirmed its new-found superiority over Manchester United with an accomplished 3-0 victory over its great rival in the Premier League on Sunday.
After the darkest day of David Moyes’ tumultuous first season at Old Trafford, United is virtually assured of missing out on Champions League qualification for the first time since 1995.
Liverpool moved to within four points of leader Chelsea, with a game in hand, after Gerrard dispatched penalties in the 34th minute after Rafael da Silva’s handball and in the 46th after Phil Jones’ foul on Joe Allen.
There was time for Gerrard to hit the post with a third penalty after Nemanja Vidic was given a second booking for tripping Daniel Sturridge before Suarez completed the thrashing in the 84th.—Steve Douglas