It’s interesting to note that many of the most prominent successes under Benitez have come when the Spaniard’s side have fallen behind and had to ditch their initial game-plan and chase the game.

This was no different, Liverpool playing as much with their hearts as their heads and demonstrating a greater desire and fire in the belly that had been conspicuously absent against United in recent years. Put simply, they wanted it more.

By throwing on Gerrard and Ryan Babel during the final quarter, Benitez could sense United were there for the taking.

And such bold tactics paid off 13 minutes from time when Babel applied the finishing touch to Dirk Kuyt’s square pass after Javier Mascherano flustered Ryan Giggs into losing possession on the touchline.

While still some-thing of an impact player – a shortcoming that must be addressed this season – Babel has gained a happy knack of producing on the big occasion. And with confidence such an integral part to his game, the sight of the Dutchman tricking his way beyond United defenders in the closing moments hints the penny may now be dropping.

It was fitting that Kuyt and Mascherano should be heavily involved in the game’s decisive moment.

Kuyt, as ever, worked himself into the ground for the cause and, playing in his preferred striking role alongside Robbie Keane, was far more dangerous going forward, soliciting fine saves from Edwin van der Sar in either half. But he was outshone by Mascherano, the Argentine hell bent on making amends for his moment of madness at Old Trafford in March by driving Liverpool towards victory with a typically monstrous display. One challenge on Wayne Rooney in particular will linger long in the memory.

Alongside Mascherano, Xabi Alonso was revitalised, the burden of his summer transfer uncertainty finally lifted. Indeed, Liverpool’s domination in the centre of the park was such that Sir Alex Ferguson substituted all three of his midfielders.

But every home player contributed, from Alvaro Arbeloa and Fabio Aurelio providing forward thrust from full-back, the probings of a much brighter Yossi Benayoun and Keane hinting that a goal will surely come soon.

Having spent much of the early weeks of the season persisting with too many square pegs in round holes and players short of match sharpness, it was telling that Liverpool appeared a much more stable unit with 11 fit men playing in their favoured positions, switching effortlessly from 4-4-2 to 4-2-3-1 following Gerrard’s introduction.

The left wing was initially filled by new boy Albert Riera and, after an understandably uncertain first 20 minutes, he did enough to suggest he may be the genuine winger that Liverpool have been crying out for in recent times.

The Spaniard gave the home side an extra dimension going forward, hugging the touchline and cutting inside when required, and demonstrated a few neat flicks and tricks to wow the Anfield crowd.

Those supporters did their bit also. Too often reserving their voice for Champions League nights, they produced a crackling atmosphere from first minute to last that even Ferguson later conceded played a part in United’s downfall.

Fortune has often helped settle these heavyweight encounters, and the fates were certainly with Liverpool for Wes Brown’s own-goal equaliser in the 26th minute when van der Sar unwisely parried a deflected Alonso shot against the defender’s legs.

But, as United have shown so often in the past, you make your own luck.

Once Tevez spurned a glorious chance to regain the lead moments later, the visitors faded as an attacking force with only a dipping shot from Giggs forcing Reina into any serious action during the second half.

United’s ignominy was made complete in the final minute when Nemanja Vidic, fortunate not to receive a straight red after hauling down Keane moments earlier, was sent off in the final minute for a strong challenge on Alonso.

This victory means Liverpool have already almost matched their four-point haul in games against their top-four rivals last season, a failing Benitez pinpointed as the reason for another disappointing championship challenge. They may well fall short this time around. But at least players, supporters and manager now have good reason to believe it doesn’t necessarily have to be that way again.