LONDON, Sept 13: Liverpool finally got the better of Manchester United as Ryan Babel’s late goal clinched a 2-1 win over the defending Premier League champions on Saturday.

Rafa Benitez’s side had lost seven of the last eight league encounters with their bitter rivals dating back to 2004, and the Reds fell behind early at Anfield when Carlos Tevez struck for United.

But Wes Brown’s own goal gave Liverpool a first-half equaliser and Babel, on as a substitute just six minutes earlier, grabbed the decisive goal 13 minutes from full-time.

That was enough to hand Benitez his first league win over United and the day got even worse for Sir Alex Ferguson when Nemanja Vidic was sent off in stoppage time for a crude elbow on Xabi Alonso.

Dimitar Berbatov had made an instant impact on his debut by setting up Tevez’s third-minute opener. The Bulgaria striker held off Jamie Carragher and slipped a pass to Tevez, who slotted home his first goal of the season.

Benitez’s side drew level in comical fashion after 27 minutes. Alonso’s shot deflected off Patrice Evra towards Edwin van der Sar, whose weak attempted punch hit Brown and cannoned back into his own net.

Liverpool dominated after that and the pressure finally paid off in the 77th minute.

Ryan Giggs carelessly lost possession on the touchline to Javier Mascherano and the Argentine poked the ball to Dirk Kuyt. His pass found Babel in yards of space and the Dutch winger side-footed home past two United defenders on the line.—AFP