Steven Gerrard scored two penalties to help Liverpool record a 3-0 victory from their trip to rivals Manchester United in the Premier League this afternoon.

The skipper also missed a chance to complete his hat-trick from the spot after Nemanja Vidic had been sent off, before Luis Suarez sealed the outcome in the closing stages.

Below, Sports Mole has looked back over the contest to determine if the result flatters Liverpool or whether they were deserving winners.

Match statistics

Man United
Shots: 13
On target: 1
Possession: 48%
Corners: 3
Fouls: 13

Liverpool
Shots: 17
On target: 7
Possession: 52%
Corners: 4
Fouls: 12

Was the result fair?

Very few 3-0 scorelines are unjust and this one doesn't buck the trend. If anything, United are lucky that they were not beaten by a more emphatic margin.

Man United's performance

In what has been an extremely poor season for David Moyes and his team, this is perhaps as low as it has been. A front four of Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie, Juan Mata and Adnan Januzaj should strike fear into the opposition, but that quartet looked confused as to where they should be playing today. It didn't get much better further back, with Michael Carrick looking crab-like in midfield, while every time Liverpool entered the area, it seemed as though a penalty was going to be awarded.

Liverpool's performance

Manager Brendan Rodgers may still play down his side's title chances in public, but in private he will know that this type of performance proves that they are genuine contenders. Steven Gerrard, Joe Allen and Jordan Henderson dominated the midfield battle, which was the key to their victory. What's more, Suarez and Daniel Sturridge have produced much better displays this term, but they still gave the United rearguard a persistent migraine, let alone a headache. Even the defence, which has looked vulnerable this campaign, appeared to be more solid, although that may have something to do with the fact that United were lacking in creativity.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Jordan Henderson: Gerrard will get the headlines for his two-goal cameo and rightly so, but Henderson alongside him was in fine form. It's a cliche, but he really did cover every blade of grass for his team today. Then, when he did inherit possession, he used it wisely. With performances like this, he must be a shoo-in for a place in the England squad at this summer's World Cup.

Biggest gaffe

There are a whole host of contenders for this award from a United point of view, but the standout candidate is Rafael da Silva. Quite what he was thinking when he handled the ball inside the area, only the Brazilian knows. It presented Gerrard with the chance to give his side the lead and he duly obliged. Looking back, it was arguably the key moment in the game.

Referee performance

These encounters can be fiery, which at times seemed to get the better of Mark Clattenburg. Of the three penalties that he awarded, two were certainties, while one can see why he awarded the one that saw Vidic sent off. However, nobody likes to see players being dismissed, but both Rafael and Liverpool defender Jon Flanagan were extremely lucky to remain on the pitch - many other referees would have correctly sent them off for second yellow card offences.

What next?

Man United: It's a trip to London next for the Red Devils as they travel to Upton Park to take on West Ham United on Saturday.

Liverpool: As for the Reds, they will take on Cardiff City in Wales.