Danny Murphy was once more the scourge of Manchester United as he brought the champions' juggernaut to a shuddering halt at Old Trafford.

Murphy, whose free-kick settled this fixture last season, repeated the feat when he scored five minutes from time to end United's eight-game winning run.

After benefiting from the bloodletting of their rivals in the FA Barclaycard Premiership title race, it was now United's turn to suffer some wounds.

And what a damaging one it could be as United sank to their seventh league defeat of the season and their fifth straight defeat to their fiercest rivals.

Liverpool were transformed from the side that had won just one of their previous nine league games and just about deserved the points for their highly-disciplined performance.

As well as stifling United, the Merseysiders also snuffed out Ruud van Nistelrooy.

The United striker did not even have a sniff of goal on the night he was attempting to become the first player to score in nine successive Premiership games.

Incredibly this was the first time since December 1 that the Dutch international had failed to find the back of the net in a United shirt.

It seems that just as United win when van Nistelrooy scores, they lose when he doesn't.

United's new £7.5million striker Diego Forlan was introduced to the fans before kick-off and he then settled into his seat to watch the sort of full-blooded, no-holds-barred encounter that makes the Premiership the most exciting league in the world.

Roared on by the home fans, United began intent on gaining revenge for losing their last four matches to their fiercest rivals.

Just 45 seconds had elapsed when Steven Gerrard, who shrugged off a hamstring injury to play, was booked for a foul on Ryan Giggs 30 yards out from goal in prime David Beckham territory.

Up stepped the England skipper - only for his free-kick to glance off the Liverpool wall and go behind for a corner.

United were dominating the play and the champions pegged Liverpool back in their own half.

Their pressure almost paid off when Stephane Henchoz cut out Mikael Silvestre's left-wing and Giggs, who was preferred up front to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, screwed his shot wide.

Liverpool were presented with a rare sight of goal when Laurent Blanc fouled Emile Heskey and Gerrard's driven free-kick was deflected wide for a corner.

Fabien Barthez punched the corner away to launch a sweeping United counter-attack, which resulted in Paul Scholes firing just past Jerzy Dudek's right-hand post.

Giggs then jinked through Liverpool's defence to find Scholes unmarked on the left-hand side of the box and when the England midfielder knocked the ball back, the Welshman hit a shot which was deflected narrowly over.

Liverpool slowly began to push out from their own half and Gerrard hit a drive which was comfortably saved by Barthez.

Michael Owen was then presented with his first sight of goal - only for the England striker to drag his shot wide of the goal.

The visitors were enjoying their best period of the half and Barthez saved a shot from Murphy.

Liverpool began the second half in a more positive mood and were knocking the ball about with growing confidence.

United lost their way after their blistering start to the game and van Nistelrooy was receiving little or no service as he sought his record-breaking goal.

United's passing began to go astray and a feeling of frustration also began to emerge from the fans, who had come expecting yet another win.

The home fans eventually had something to get excited about when Beckham curled a shot just wide and Dudek punched away a rocket from Juan Sebastian Veron.

Nicolas Anelka replaced Owen 13 minutes from time and within a minute he almost scored when Barthez saved his shot at the near post.

Seconds later Barthez made an even better stop when he kept out a piledriver from John Arne Riise.

Liverpool's greater ambition was rewarded on 85 minutes with the winning goal.

Murphy, who has had to endure much criticism in recent weeks, collected Gerrard's pass, lifted the ball over Barthez and scored.

United tried to mount one of their trademark comebacks and Dudek saved a Giggs header from their best effort before referee Graham Barber blew to seal another famous win for Liverpool.

Teams

Man Utd: Barthez, Phil Neville, Gary Neville, Blanc, Silvestre, Beckham (Solskjaer 87), Keane, Scholes, Veron, van Nistelrooy, Giggs.

Subs Not Used: Carroll, Wallwork, O'Shea, Butt.

Booked: Veron.

Liverpool: Dudek, Wright, Henchoz, Hyypia, Carragher, Murphy (Berger 88), Hamann, Gerrard, Riise, Heskey, Owen (Anelka 77).

Subs Not Used: Arphexad, McAllister, Biscan.

Booked: Gerrard, Carragher.

Goals: Murphy 85.

Att: 67,599

Ref: G Barber (Tring).