Liverpool were forced to hang on desperately to a famous victory at Anfield after being reduced to 10 men when Danny Murphy was sent off.

But they managed it with tremendous defensive qualities to achieve their first double over the champions since 1979.

It was also the first time anyone has recorded two league wins over United in a single season since Arsenal achieved the feat in 1998.

Liverpool stormed into a two goal half-time lead with a spectacular Steven Gerrard strike, and then a close-range Robbie Fowler goal.

And it looked like Liverpool were going to take the points with a controlled display in the second period.

But that scenario changed quickly when Murphy went off for a second bookable offence, and from then on it was a determined backs-to-the-wall battle to keep out the visitors.

The heroes for Liverpool were Sami Hyypia at the back, Sander Westerveld in goal and more than anyone, the all-action Gerrard.

United created few chances in a match they did not need to win, so close are they to the title, but they must surely have hated going down like this to their biggest rivals.

But Liverpool needed the points far more than United, and it showed in their application and drive.

Michael Owen was left on the bench and Patrik Berger returned for his first game since November, but it was young Gerrard who drove Liverpool into a position of authority by the break.

United, without Jaap Stam, Andy Cole and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, had plenty of the ball and looked determined not suffer a repeat of their defeat at Old Trafford in December, but they created little of consequence in that opening period.

Fabien Barthez needed to save well from two Sami Hyypia headers before Gerrard blasted Liverpool ahead with a stunning 30-yard drive.

Robbie Fowler's touch set him up, but the England star, who wasn't fit enough to travel to Albania this week, was able to find the power and direction to smash a rising drive past the French goalkeeper.

Liverpool could have had more before Fowler grabbed the second. Berger's angled drive flashed across the goal and twice Bartez performed miracles to keep out Heskey efforts.

But Fowler put Liverpool deservedly two ahead on 41 minutes. Heskey worked space for Gerrard to cross from the right, and Gary Neville was not close enough, slipping over in his attempt to recover, to do anything to stop Fowler controlling the ball and volleying it home from 12 yards.

The mood of the game changed after the break, United having far more possession and forcing Liverpool back.

The champions thought they had got one back when Dwight Yorke pushed home Phil Neville's cross on 68 minutes, but the effort was ruled offside.

But the game was really turned three minutes later when Murphy was sent off for his second bookable offence, a late tackle on Denis Irwin. Liverpool took off Berger and Fowler and replaced them with Gary McAllister and Nick Barmby to add some strength to midfield.

United's response was to throw on Luke Chadwick out wide and bring on Mikael Silvestre to stretch Liverpool's 10 men. Paul Scholes was next on, taking over from Nicky Butt to add even more attacking ammunition.

But Liverpool hung on grimly, with a defensive performance that will no doubt be needed in the Nou Camp on Thursday in the UEFA Cup semi-final against Barcelona.

United turn their attention to the Champions League now and mopping up those few points needed for their seventh title in nine years.

Liverpool were just determined they weren't going to get any of them at Anfield.

Teams

Liverpool: Westerveld, Babbel, Hyypia, Henchoz, Carragher, Murphy, Gerrard (Owen 88), Hamann, Berger (Barmby 70), Heskey, Fowler (McAllister 70).

Subs Not Used: Arphexad, Traore.

Sent Off: Murphy (69).

Booked: Murphy.

Goals: Gerrard 16, Fowler 41.

Man Utd: Barthez, Phil Neville, Gary Neville, Brown, Irwin (Chadwick 72), Beckham, Keane, Butt (Scholes 76), Giggs, Sheringham (Silvestre 72), Yorke.

Subs Not Used: Goram, Fortune.

Booked: Phil Neville.

Att: 44,806

Ref: G Poll (Tring).