Dirk Kuyt scored a hat-trick to blow the Premier League title race wide open as Liverpool cruised to a 3-1 win over leaders Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday. United went into the game knowing that victory would earn them a six-point lead over nearest rivals Arsenal at the summit with nine games remaining.
But Kuyt's treble condemned Sir Alex Ferguson's side to back-to-back Premier League defeats for the first time in two years after their midweek loss at Chelsea. United are locked on 18 domestic league titles with Liverpool but the Merseyside club were clearly in no mood to help their bitter rivals towards a record 19th success. Kuyt put Liverpool in control with two goals in five minutes towards the end of the first half and he scored his third in the 65th minute before Javier Hernandez's late effort for United.
And Liverpool, who climb to sixth in the table, were able to give their £35 million signing Andy Carroll his long-awaited debut as the striker, fit after a thigh injury, came on for the final 15 minutes.
Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish said: "The players deserved that for the discipline, application and pride shown in themselves and the club. "It's been a tough season, it's not finished yet but this has been the highest point so far for our supporters.
"It always matters who the opposition are, because you're not going to get too many opponents who are as good as Manchester United. We deserved to win, no doubt."
Ferguson went into this game leading Dalglish 7-4 ahead of the 20th league meeting between the two Scottish managers. Ferguson also won the tactical battle between the pair when United defeated Liverpool 1-0 in the FA Cup two months ago in what was Dalglish's first match back since returning to the Anfield hot seat. But there was revenge in the Merseyside air as Kuyt's first half double put the hosts in command.